From escaping tragedy to scaling unexpected heights, Denmark closes in on a European title.
Spain, Italy, and England – all expected candidates – punched their tickets to soccer’s European Final Four. Then there is a surprise team, a squad that most observers had crossed off the list after it opened the tournament 0-2. And now Denmark stands at the precipice of a history-making opportunity–the Euro championship. On Wednesday, the Danes will face their biggest challenge when they go up against the home-standing Three Lions of England in a Euro 2020 semi-final.
The odds? According to DraftKings Euro, England is the overwhelming favorite, -130, to Denmark’s +450.
But don’t count out the Danes, a team that has consistently beaten the odds. Denmark struggled in the group stage matches, suffering an opening 1-0 defeat to Finland in a game that could have included a devastating loss. Midfielder Christian Eriksen, 29, collapsed on the field after suffering a cardiac arrest. Quick action saved Eriksen’s life as team doctor Morten Boesen and stadium doctor Anders Boesen rushed the field and administered a defibrillator. “He was gone,” Morten would later tell reporters.
A 2-1 loss to Belgium followed, and circumstances turned bleaker for the Danes…or so most fans and analysts thought. Denmark rallied to win three consecutive contests, starting with Team Russia (4-1), followed by Wales (4-0), and then (in the most impressive win of the tournament), the Czech Republic (2-1).
With the win, Denmark earned a berth in the semi-finals and much, much more. The team has inspired the nation and put smiles on faces around the globe.
Will Denmark pull off a monumental upset? While that seems an implausible outcome, consider this: England has won only one of its last six matches against the Danes (drawing three, losing two), and Denmark is no stranger to titles, having won World Cup 1992.
Fascinating! Compelling! You can bet that I’ll be watching with millions of others (2:30p, Eastern time, ESPN).
