Joel Pohjanpalo scored and Lukas Herdecky saved a penalty to present Finland a 1-0 win over Denmark in a European Championship sport on Saturday, which was affected by a fall to Christian Eriksson’s floor.
Play was suspended for about 90 minutes after Eriksen required instant medical remedy on the finish of the primary half earlier than being taken to hospital. The Danish Football Federation mentioned Ericsson was awake and in steady situation.
“Of course you can’t play a game with that kind of emotion,” mentioned Danish coach Kasper Hjulmund. “What we tried to do was incredible. It’s unbelievable that the players managed to go out and try to play in the second half and still dominate. I myself am very impressed.”
When play resumed, Pohjanpalo put Finland forward in opposition to the race of the sport within the sixtieth minute, when he rose above Joachim Mahele to take residence a cross from Jere Uronen. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel hit the ball however couldn’t get it out.
This was Finland’s solely try on objective in your entire sport as Denmark dominated and ended with a complete of 23 photographs, though solely six had been on course.
The Dane’s finest likelihood got here when he was awarded a penalty after Yusuf Poulsen went down beneath a problem from Paulus Arazuri. But within the 74th, Heradeki dived to his left to cease an effort from Pierre-mile Hjberg.
Finland was making its debut in a significant event, however what ought to have been the most important victory within the nation’s soccer historical past was utterly marred by Ericsson’s medical emergency.
“It’s definitely been one of the toughest games of my career,” mentioned Finnish ahead Teemu Pukki.
“We decided to do what the Danish team decided to do. … It was not easy to get back on the pitch. But once we heard everything seemed fine, we started focusing on the game again Done it. And in the end we are proud to win. But the post-game atmosphere is definitely not as great as ever.”
Eriksson was given instant medical consideration on the sector for about 10 minutes earlier than being carried on a stretcher. The groups held an emergency assembly and determined to proceed the match after it grew to become clear that Ericsson was in steady situation.
Hazulmand mentioned he was given the choice of ending the sport on Saturday or restarting it on Sunday.
“The players didn’t imagine they wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight and then get off tomorrow, get on the bus and play a game,” Hazulmand mentioned. “Honestly, it was best to end it.”
Denmark captain Simon Kajer, who’s a detailed buddy of Ericsson, nonetheless, couldn’t final lengthy. He was substituted within the 63rd minute.
“Simon was very, very impressed,” mentioned Hujulmand. “I can’t imagine myself playing a football game after that. He was overwhelmed, they’re great friends.” Until this incident, Denmark dominated the primary half with three good defenses from Heradeki within the opening 20 minutes. Jones Wind tried a tough shot from the sting of the primary area, Earlier Herdecky slammed a header over the bar from Pierre-mile Hjberg after which pulled a long-range shot away from Ericsson within the nineteenth.
The Danes failed to check Heradeki once more till the penalty was saved.
As the ultimate whistle blew, Finnish gamers celebrated in entrance of their followers whereas Danish gamers hugged on the sector.
Top-ranked Belgium beat Russia 3-0 within the second Group B match at Euro 2020.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
