Denmark entered the European Championship and it was Slovenia who have been the opposition within the first group stage match. The venue was the Mercedes-Benz Area, Stuttgart.
When Denmark offered its eleven, it was clear that the nationwide staff captain Kasper Hjulmand lined up with a fairly anticipated eleven. Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund took his place up entrance, on the identical time that Eriksen bought a spot in midfield.
A small exclamation mark, nevertheless, was that Simon Kjaer – who usually performs centre-back in AC Milan – was benched. He has had damage issues lately and performed simply two minutes within the final spherical of Serie A.
As well as, one other profile had to sit on the bench. Joakim Mæhle, who’s a given in Wolfsburg’s once more line within the Bundesliga, was not within the beginning eleven.
In Slovenia, amongst others, Jan Oblak and Benjamin Sesko had a spot within the beginning eleven.
Denmark began the match energetically and had a lot of the ball possession. Additionally they got here up with a few half-chances.
The lead aim took till minute 17. United star Christian Eriksen made it 1-0 – following a dream assault by the Danes. Jonas Wind obtained a throw-in within the penalty space – and performed Eriksen ahead with a heel kick. The midfielder made no mistake and thumped the ball into Jan Oblak’s proper nook.
– It is extremely properly performed by Eriksen. Class, stated TV4’s knowledgeable commentator Olof Mellberg
After 27 minutes, the identical Eriksen bombed a cross into the penalty space. The ball bounced, like a pinball, between a few Slovenians and was near going into Oblak’s field.
It was nonetheless Denmark’s lead when the referee blew the primary half.
– The Danes have managed the match and had quite a lot of the ball, however the Slovenians arise sometimes, stated TV4’s knowledgeable Albin Ekdahl at halftime.
The knowledgeable stated the next regarding Denmark’s dream aim:
– Shortly perceived, good by Wind and an ideal end by Christian Eriksen who sneaks into the field. A really lovely aim, he stated in TV4’s broadcast.
Within the 2021 version of the EC, the scenes in Denmark’s opening match have been significantly extra gloomy. It’s 1100 days in the past, and virtually precisely three years in the past, Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the Park in Copenhagen and the complete soccer world held its breath.
Many feared that Eriksen’s profession was over – however now he’s once more within the context of the EC with discover.
– It’s completely unimaginable and particular for him. He comes once more three years later and scores Denmark’s first aim within the EC, Anders Christiansen stated in TV4’s broadcast.
Slovenia began the second half fairly energetically and had a few scoring possibilities. However as time ticked on, Denmark took over increasingly – and chased an enlargement. After 64 minutes, Jan Oblak needed to make a save following Rasmus Højlund was cleared within the penalty space.
Shortly following Oblak’s nice save, Slovenia got here extraordinarily near equalizing. Adam Gnezda Cerin stormed into the penalty space and met a cross – however the header went simply broad of Schmeichel’s left put up.
– Slovenia’s best possible aim likelihood, stated Olof Mellberg in TV4’s broadcast.
The Slovenians continued to push for an equalizer – and within the 74th minute, Andraz Sporar got here near netting a cross from a free-kick.
– Good free kick, dangerous defensive play, stated Mellberg within the broadcast.
Only a minute later, Benjamin Sesko additionally shot into the put up on a rebound simply exterior the penalty space.
And the equalizer got here shortly following this when left-back Erik Janza shot along with his left from exterior the penalty space. The ball went – by way of Morten Hjulmand – into Kasper Schmeichel’s field.
– Just a little move, however nonetheless not utterly unfair. That they had a number of alternatives within the second half, the Slovenians, stated TV4’s knowledgeable commentator Olof Mellberg.
– I feel it is so unusual that they do not have anybody on the second floor, the Danes. Slovenia was on the lookout for it on a regular basis within the first half, as a result of it was so clearly tactical, Mellberg continued.
Regardless of strain from each groups, it was 1-1 till the ultimate whistle. Denmark thus bought a snowy begin to the EC journey.
– There are two misplaced factors right now, Anders Christiansen stated in TV4’s broadcast.
Denmark began the match sturdy, however cooled down because the match went on, says TV4’s knowledgeable Vicky Blommé.
– It was a pleasant attacking sport at first with a excessive tempo of the ball, quite a lot of concepts and motion. Nevertheless it slowed down following the 1-0 aim got here and so they turned way more cautious, the tempo slowed down. I felt they did not have as a lot creativity following the aim, she stated on TV4’s broadcast.
– The 1-1 aim is totally truthful. The Slovenians ate into the match and deserve the purpose. Based mostly on what you noticed within the first half, you did not count on that onslaught. I am a bit upset with the Danes who do not come as much as par within the final half hour, stated TV4’s Knowledgeable Albin Ekdal within the broadcast.
The Dane Anders Christiansen was not sluggish to agree.
– Sadly, it’s so. I’m upset with our sport and the best way we drew, in opposition to the worst opponent within the group. It is not ok.
Startelvor:
Slovenia: Oblak – Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Janza – Stojanovic, Gnezda Cerin, Elsnik, Mlakar – Sporar, Sesko.
Denmark: Schmeichel – Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard – Kristensen, Højbjerg, Hjulmand, Bah – Eriksen – Højlund, Wind.
You possibly can watch the match between Slovenia and Denmark on TV4 Play.