Denmark’s sweet Euro run ends in bitter semis defeat

Denmark players applaud after England won the UEFA EURO 2020 semi-final football match between England and Denmark at Wembley Stadium in London. Photo/AFP

Denmark's run to the Euro 2020 semi-finals was even more of a fairytale for the nation of five million people after their near-tragic start to the tournament.

On the opening weekend of the Euro, Christian Eriksen, his country's star player for the best part of a decade, collapsed on the field against Finland after suffering a cardiac arrest.

As his teammates formed a protective circle around the Inter Milan midfielder to shield him from the cameras, captain Simon Kjaer and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel consoled his sobbing partner on the side of the pitch. Thanks to the rapid medical response, Eriksen was resuscitated after one defibrillation and able to leave hospital less just six days later. Three-and-a-half weeks on from the incident, Denmark were still in contention to repeat their shock success at Euro '92. In the end, lightning did not strike twice. England booked their place in the final for the first time.

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"One thing is to lose a game, but losing this way is a disappointment because these guys have fought a lot," said Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand. "It's a bitter way to leave."

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