Kasper Hjulmand’s side want to honour Christian Eriksen but that alone does not explain their march to the semi-finals
Denmark are on a mission they never wished to undertake, inspired by a tragedy their players may never truly absorb, yet their uplifting march to the European Championship semi-finals is not entirely explained by the spirit they have found following Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest. That is too simplistic and a disservice to Kasper Hjulmand and his players, who performed with a quality equal to their impressive resolve in overcoming the Czech Republic in Baku.
Joyous disbelief was etched on to the faces of Danish staff, players and fans after an exhausting but well-earned quarter-final victory. Parallels with the improbable triumph of 1992 continue and Denmark will see no reason to fear their semi-final opponents at Wembley on Wednesday. The motivation to fight for a fallen teammate provides formidable strength, naturally, but the Czechs were defeated by a calculated gameplan executed brilliantly in the first half and then determination to get over the line in the second. The two sides of Denmark were a further tribute to the management of Hjulmand, who has enriched the Euros not only with his human touch in the most traumatic circumstances but with a sure touch from the sidelines.
