Sports Sunday, July 4, 2021 13

Stunning Denmark sail into semis with 2-1 win over Czech Republic

Denmark’s midfielder celebrates at the end of the UEFA EURO 2020 quarter-final against Czech Republic at the Olympic Stadium in Baku on Saturday. (AFP)

DPA turn to Wembley,” Denmark Baku captain Simon Kjaer said, while Czech Vladimir Dari- Denmark’s dream run at da said “there is nothing we Euro 2020 after two opening should be ashamed of” be- defeats and the Christian Erik- cause “we fought like the lions sen drama continued on Sat- on our crest.” urday with a 2-1 victory over Denmark coach Kasper the Czech Republic for a place Hjulmand said: “I am so in the semi-finals. proud. The team was out- Thomas Delaney headed standing and left everything the opening goal in the fifth on the pitch. I am also proud of minute and the Danish people. We have so made it 2-0 in the 42nd in much love. They are so proud sweltering Baku. Patrik Schick and this is a super moment.” revived the Czech’s hopes in Denmark have had a fairytale the 49th with his fifth goal of run amid huge support since the tournament but they didn’t losing the first two group manage an equalizer. games against Finland and Denmark’s players celebrate after winning the UEFA EURO 2020 quarter-final against Czech Republic at the Olympic Stadium in Baku on Saturday.( AFP) Denmark beat the Czechs Belgium, and Eriksen needing for the first time at the Euro to be revived on the pitch after tested but wasn’t subject of However, the Czechs were off Vladimir Coufal’s cross substitute and stoppage-time. finals, having lost 3-0 at the suffering cardiac arrest in the video review, and Delaney was far from beaten and launched from the right. also the biggest chance from “We were too passive at same stage in 2004 and also game with the Finns. completely unmarked to head an all-out attack after the Schick’s fifth goal of the Maehlie in the closing stages. the start of the second half. 2-0 in the 2000 group stage. They put four past Russia home off break. tournament makes him joint Schick left in the 79th with I think the lads were tired,” They are in the last four to reach the knock-outs, an- into the bottom left corner. Denmark goalkeeper top scorer with super star what appeared to be a ham- Hjulmand said. for the first time since winning other four past Wales in the Denmark doubled their made Cristiano Ronaldo from elimi- string problem, and Jan Boril “We are happy and enjoy- the trophy in 1992 and will last 16, and also started with lead shortly before half-time, big saves against substitute nated title holders Portugal. joined team-mate and cap- ing the moment and then on face England or Ukraine on a bang against the Czechs who Dolberg smashing his third Michal Krmencik and a half- It took Denmark several tain Tomas Soucek with a big Wednesday the big match.” Wednesday at Wembley for a were coming off a 2-0 win over goal of the tournament into the volley from Antonin Barak minutes to regroup before bandage around his head for Scoreline: Denmark 2 (Thomas place in the July 11 final. the Netherlands. roof of the net off Joakim Mae- but was beaten on the Czechs’ they started attacking again the final minutes as Denmark Delaney 5’, Kasper Dolberg 42’) “It is huge, it is crazy. We The Scandinavians got a hle’s classy curling cross with third chance when Schick slot- with Czech keeper Tomas Va- also survived a final effort bt Czech Republic 1 (Patrick had a goal: we wanted to re- corner which the Czechs con- the outside of his right foot. ted into the bottom left corner clik now saving twice from from Antonin Barak deep into Schick 49’). The magic is back for Italy DPA Berlin

Italy enter the final week of Euro 2020 at Wembley as ar- Italy rediscover their awesome guably the top title contenders. Roberto Mancini’s team form from the group stage and take an unbeaten record of 32 enter the semi-final against games into Tuesday’s semi- Spain as favourites, despite final with Spain, and after a thrilling 2-1 quarter-final win a grave injury to Leonardo over world ranking leaders Spinazzola. Italy’s defender Leonardo Spinazzola is stretchered off the pitch Belgium on Friday night will injured during the UEFA EURO 2020 quarter-final against Belgium have no reason to fear the for- at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Friday. (AFP) mer champions. Corriere dello Sport spoke Spinazzola pledges to return ‘soon’ of another “magical night” and La Gazzetta dello Sport Italy full back Leonardo Spinaz- mates serenading him on their praised a “fabulous Italy” zola has set his sights on the flight home and the 28-year-old which dominated just like in quickest recovery possible tapped into that positive at- their three group stage wins after a ruptured Achilles tendon titude in an Instagram post. and indicated that the hard- ended his Euro 2020. “Unfortunately we all know how earned 2-1 in extra time in Spinazzola had been one of it went but our dream continues the last 16 against Austria was the standout performers in the and with this great group noth- more a one-off. tournament and made a vital ing is impossible,” he wrote. Morale is high in the Ital- goal-line block to deny Romelu “I can only tell you that I will be ian camp although they are Lukaku during the Azzurri’s thrill- back soon!” Italy boss Roberto aware there are still two games ing 2-1 quarter-final win over Mancini began his post-match to play before a possible tro- Belgium in Munich on Friday. news conference by offering phy celebration. But the Roma defender, who his sympathy to player who “We are proving that we suffered cruciate ligament dam- made himself vital to Italy’s are a great squad. But we have age in May 2018 and has en- bid for glory. to kick on as we have achieved dured frequent fitness problems “We are very disappointed and nothing yet,” said Lorenzo during his career, will miss the gutted for Spinazzola for that in- Insignie who scored a great semi-final meeting with Spain jury he didn’t deserve because second goal in Munich after after pulling up before full-time he was playing extraordinarily Nicolo Barella’s opener. and needing a stretcher to leave well,” he said. “I have never played with the field. “He’s been one of the best play- such a big smile on my face. Italy’s Twitter account shared ers at Euro 2020 and we are It’s like playing with your Italy players celebrate at the end of the UEFA EURO 2020 quarter-final against Belgium at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Friday.( AFP) a video of Spinazzola’s team- absolutely gutted.” friends during the week. The coach has allowed us to play about Italy in positive terms ing “This is an extraordinary “We will go to Wembley ing but keep our feet on the our best football. We must put for a while. group.” as a team that can still offer a ground,” Bonucci said. Belgium’s coach refuses to comment on future in a last effort and keep our Everyone deserves credit. I The Azzurri will not under- lot. Spain are very tricky oppo- The team however had to heads down.” am very proud to coach them estimate Spain although the nents like Belgium. We will set swallow the shock exit of de- Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez refused to comment on his Mancini has been in and be in charge,” Mancini Iberians have not been very ourselves up and get ready for fender Leonardo Spinazzola future after the country’s Euro 2020 elimination at the hands of charge since Italy shockingly said. convincing and needed pen- it,” Mancini said. who after making a key block Italy, insisting the situation is “too raw”. Italy booked their spot in failed to qualify for the 2018 Insignie said: “What dif- alties to beat Switzerland on “The team has progressed to deny Belgium an equalizer the semi-finals against Spain after overcoming Martinez’s Belgium World Cup and has created a ferentiates us from the other Friday. game in game out. And there is was carried off on a stretcher 2-1 in Munich on Friday. Attention swiftly turned to Martinez, who is team that plays exciting at- teams is that sacrifice our- Spain thrashed Italy 4-0 in still room for improvement.” with a suspected Achilles ten- contracted through to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but has been tacking football but also has selves for the other, so we can the Euro 2012 final but Italy Italy’s last major title dates don rupture. linked with a return to club management. “Well, obviously, this is a the Italian tradition of being go far.” already bounced back 2-0 in back to the 2006 World Cup Mancini named Spinazzola moment that is very, very difficult to speak anything else than the firm in defence with the likes Goalkeeper Gianluigi Don- the last 16 in 2016 with a tac- success, and their only title at “one of the best players at the defeat and that we are out of the Euros,” Martinez said. “As I say, of captain Giorgio Chiellini narumma, who made a super tical masterclass, with captain the Euros dates back 53 years Euros” and Insigne vowed that at the moment, it’s still too raw. And I do not want to say anything and Leonardo Bonucci. save against Kevin de Bruyne, Chiellini scoring the opener to 1968. “we will try to go all the way that it could be [seen as] emotional.” (DPA) “We have been speaking struck a similar line, say- that day in Paris. “We will continue dream- for him.”