The day when everything almost changed. The day an entire country began to pray, to hold its breath for his genius, stuck between life and death for (too) long minutes. Fortunately, Eriksen survived. Nestled in his hotel room, he transformed into the number 1 supporter of a Danish team, transcended by the spiritual support of their captain. Match after match, Denmark rose in power, to the point of eliminating Wales and especially the Czech Republic on its shattering passage. Semi-finalists, the Scandinavians finally stopped in the semi-finals, struck down by England, at the end of the suspense.
And if, hot, it was obviously the disappointment that predominated, that of having passed so close to the gold watch, with hindsight, all the Danes united to say that their Euro to them was successful. And that this was only the beginning of the rise of a young and resurrected team.
This Wednesday, November 30, 2022, the resurrection was abruptly interrupted. As if the spring on which we had perhaps been pulling too much for a few months had suddenly let go. Against Australia, Denmark almost did not exist. Or yes, in fact, but not as it should have. Sterile attacks, shots without danger, defensive friability that we did not know about them, the Northerners missed their match. And when, in addition, we concede a goal per hour of play, it is necessarily expensive. A fortiori even more when we only pocketed a small point in the two previous matches.
Inevitably after this unexpected and much too early elimination, the time will be for introspection. What went wrong? Which cog jammed at the worst of times? In view of the turn of events, the most stubborn reproaches will undoubtedly be addressed to the offensive sector… or inoffensive. Only one goal scored in three matches, two matches without scoring, and this, while the Danes had planted 30 goals in the ten qualifying matches, is too little. Especially against opponents of the caliber of Tunisia and Australia that Denmark should have (on paper) looked at with appetite.
Outsider to a place of honor, Denmark is therefore the first “gros” to bite the dust. Certainly not the last in a World where hold-ups have almost become commonplace.
