Denmark’s Christian Eriksen makes memorable Euro return to silence critics

STUTTGART – Denmark captain Christian Eriksen marked a memorable return to the European Championship three years after suffering a cardiac arrest at the previous edition by scoring the goal that secured a 1-1 draw with Slovenia in their Group C opener on June 16.

The 32-year-old missed his team’s run to the semi-final in 2021 after his shock on-pitch collapse in the opening match against Finland. On June 16, he did not waste any time to put the trauma of that game behind him as he played his first Euro game since then.

He said after his 131st appearance for Denmark: “This time at the Euro, my story is very different to last time. Luckily, there’s been a lot of games since it happened. I felt confident going into this game and I was just happy to be playing.

“I was very pleased (to score). I did have in mind that I hadn’t scored at a Euro, so obviously that was on my mind – but nothing else but football was on my mind.”

In a textbook playmaking performance, especially in the first half, Man of the Match Eriksen orchestrated their game and set a quick early pace as per the orders of coach Kasper Hjulmand, who fielded two strikers.

He delivered almost all of their set pieces while scoring a 17th-minute opener in a performance that will go a long way in silencing the critics. Were it not for his teammates’ sloppy finishing, he could have added an assist or two to his match stats.

Only a few months ago this seemed a very unlikely scenario.

“The Christian Eriksen we all know, he is no longer there,” former Denmark and Real Madrid player Thomas Gravesen said in his scathing criticism of his compatriot.

“Christian Eriksen doesn’t play football any more. Christian Eriksen sits on the bench and watches football. Christian Eriksen as we know him, he is no more.”

Eriksen was coming off a disappointing season with Manchester United that saw him earn little playing time under coach Erik ten Hag. That was hardly the run-up he needed for a major tournament.

Many fans back home were surprised that Hjulmand had kept faith with him, while others were certain the midfielder was well past his best. The coach, however, was certain Eriksen was still a precious asset.

“He can do things that no one else can or see,” he had said a few months ago.

Hjulmand reiterated that sentiment on June 16, saying: “You cannot hold down that kind of class. He’s a natural player who knows the rhythm of the game.

“He knows how to play. He’s a great player and showed it today.”

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek said his team proved they deserved their place at Euro 2024 after their come-from-behind draw in Stuttgart. Erik Janza’s deflected goal in the 77th minute earned Slovenia a point in their first appearance at the European Championship since their 2000 debut.

Said Kek: “Those were two different halves. The result is realistic. Maybe we showed them a bit too much respect in the first and then in the second half we managed to break free.” REUTERS, AFP