Established 1961 Sport

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 Denmark hold off Czech rally

BAKU: Denmark’s fairytale run at Euro 2020 will continue into the semifinals after they beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in Baku yesterday to move into a last-four meeting with England or Ukraine at Wembley. First-half goals from and were enough to see ’s men through despite a second-half rally from the Czechs inspired by Patrik Schick’s fifth goal of the tournament. The Danes have now scored 10 goals in winning their last three matches after starting the tourna- ment with two defeats, the first amid shocking cir- cumstances when suffered a car- diac arrest on the pitch. Three weeks on, they are dreaming of a repeat of 1992 when Denmark won the European Championship despite not even qualifying. Then Yugoslavia’s expulsion due to an outbreak of war gave them a second chance and they are playing like a side inspired by the emotion of Eriksen’s col- lapse and recovery. The Inter Milan midfielder was able to leave hos- pital after less than a week with a defibrillator fitted in his chest, but on the field Denmark have survived the loss of their star man for the past decade. After playing all three group games in and in front of thousands of travelling Danish fans in in a 4-0 thrashing of Wales last week- end, only a small pocket of supporters could make the 4,000-kilometer trip to Azerbaijan. Those that did make it were celebrating within five minutes as Delaney was left completely unmarked to head home ’s cor- ner. Tomas Vaclik then had to deny to prevent the Danes doubling their lead in a blistering start. But the Czechs then came BAKU: Czech Republic’s midfielder Tomas Soucek heads the ball as Denmark’s defender defends during the UEFA Euro 2020 quarterfinal match at into the game and twice was the Olympic Stadium yesterday. —AFP forced into saves by Tomas Holes. Denmark were always a threat on the break, Dolberg smashed home from close range. Antonin Barak’s shot behind. But Denmark did not kept his side in the game with a string of saves to though, and Vaclik had to stand up to parry another Czech boss Jaroslav Silhavy made two substitu- heed their warning as Schick latched onto Vladimir twice deny substitute and then powerful drive by Damsgaard. Vaclik was powerless tions at the break and the introduction of Jakub Coufal’s cross to join Cristiano Ronaldo as the tour- Maehle when one-on-one. However, with Schick three minutes before half-time when Joakim Maehle Jankto and Michael Krmencik made an instant nament’s top goalscorer. The Czechs’ momentum forced off by a muscle strain, Silhavy’s men lacked added another assist to his fine tournament with a impact. Krmencik stung the palms of Schmeichel soon fizzled out with both sides visibly jaded by the goal threat to trouble Denmark through six min- teasing cross with the outside of his right foot that before the Leicester goalkeeper was forced to turn their long journey east and the searing heat. Vaclik utes of stoppage time. — AFP