Euro 2020: Love after Eriksen collapse lifted us, says Hjulmand

Amsterdam - Midfielder Eriksen collapsed in their opening Group B game, but the Danes recovered from two defeats to squeeze into the last 16

The worldwide love and support Denmark received after Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in the early stages of Euro 2020 has propelled them to the quarterfinals, coach Kasper Hjulmand said after their 4-0 rout of Wales.

Midfielder Eriksen collapsed in their opening Group B game, but the Danes recovered from two defeats to squeeze into the last 16 with a 4-1 drubbing of Russia in their last game.

Roared on by their fans in Amsterdam’s Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday, they blew away the Welsh with two goals from Kasper Dolberg and one apiece by Joakim Maehle and Martin Braithwaite.

“When Christian collapsed, that’s when everything changed for me,” Hjumland told a news conference.

“I felt we were put in a totally different situation. We are grateful for all the love and support everyone has shown because it gave us wings, and being in the quarterfinals is amazing.

“Knowing that this ground was Christian’s first home after leaving Denmark, I would have loved for him to have been here with us today but I know that he is with us anyway.”

Eriksen, who had a heart starter device implanted after his life was saved when CPR was administered to him on the pitch, played for Ajax from 2010 to 2013.

Dolberg, also a former Ajax product, enjoyed a dream return with a superb brace on his first start in the tournament.

“This is total madness. It’s surreal. It was here it all started for me, and to play here again in this setting was insane. We dreamed about this and believed that we can get here,” he said.