Euro2020: The Danish fire and the Christian Eriksen influence

Denmark will have it all to do against England but they can be assured of the crowd's support even at Wembley. (Photo credit: UEFA.com) ...

Denmark will have it all to do against England but they can be assured of the crowd's support even at Wembley. (Photo credit: UEFA.com)

Sentiments and emotions are a huge part of football and except you’re a center referee, you have the right to voice your interests in the thick of action and it’s almost a certainty that Denmark, if not the first is everyone’s second team at the ongoing European championship.

Right from the start, even before they kicked a ball, Denmark were highly rated and tipped to come second at least in their group that had Belgium, Russia and Finland as they were ranked 10^th in the world heading into the tournament.

At the tail end of their opening game against Finland, right before their own fans, disaster struck and it wasn’t about the three points on offer anymore, it was a matter of life and they would most definitely pick survival of their mate over the win at that time.

Christian Eriksen fell to the turf, without contact from anyone and Anthony Taylor did well to get the medics who did everything possible to revive him, the rest is history as we’ve come to know it but the big story is that Denmark are in the semifinal and that’s what matters now.

Yes they lost to Finland, should they have played the game? That’s subjective but that’s in the past, they gave great account of themselves against Belgium but collapsed at the end but the way they destroyed Russia to book a place in the round of 16 deserves applause.

Denmark effectively dispatched Wales at the round of 16, effective defending and direct attack that produced strong results as well.

They are the darling of the neutrals too, and with the Eriksen incident buying them public sympathy, they have however done their good work on the pitch with grit and precision. Denmark beat Czech Republic in the quarter finals and will now face Gareth Southgate’s England on Wednesday.

The fire in the Danish side is brimming with confidence, their defensive structure is built on the flying fullbacks and strong determination of Andreas Christensen and Simon Kjaer, and the midfield even without a marquee name delivers without a fuss.

Many don’t understand how Martin Braithwait is a Barcelona player but you can’t take anything away from his runs and how hard he presses the opposition, Kasper Dolberg has deputized brilliantly for Youssouf Poulson and England will be wary of them.

Whatever happens at Wembley on Wednesday will not be down to lack of effort from the Danes should they fail to advance, but the fairytale could continue if they find lady-luck against the 3Lions.