Euro 2021: 29 years after their surprise coronation in 1992, the crazy adventure continues for the Danes

The waking dream continues for Denmark.

A favorite among football fans during this Euro, the Danish selection climbed to the semi-finals of the competition thanks to its victory against the Czech Republic (2-1).

Twenty-nine years after its surprise title of European champion, the Scandinavian country continues its epic and will face England for a place in the final.

In this third quarter-final, the Danes quickly opened the scoring, in the fifth minute, on a contentious corner transformed by the head by Thomas Delaney, elected man of the match.

Just before half-time, Kasper Dolberg doubled down from close range at the far post following a magnificent cross from outside Joakhim Maehle's right foot.

Back from the locker room, the Czechs reduced the gap through Patrik Schick who joins Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the Euro scorers standings with five goals.

A liberated and uninhibited game

If this Danish team appeals to football fans so much, it is not only because of its surprise guest status but also thanks to the game it offers.

Despite a sluggish start to the competition against Finland (0-1 loss) and Belgium (1-2 loss after leading the score), the Danes have never deviated from their principles with a 3-4-3 pattern for mix uninhibited attacking play and defensive solidity.

# EURO2020 #CZEDEN Explosions of joy in the Copenhagen Fanzone on both goals #DEN 🎉🤙 pic.twitter.com/ZF2ClDioo3

- EURO 2020 🇫🇷 (@ EURO2020FR) July 3, 2021

And the formula paid off in the last group match with a large victory against Russia (4-1) which allowed the Scandinavians to qualify for the knockout matches.

In the round of 16, the Welsh also suffered the waves of Danish attacks without managing to respond (0-4).

On mission for Christian Eriksen

Saturday afternoon, the Danes experienced some difficulties at times but finally resisted against the Czechs galvanized by their victory against the Netherlands (2-0) in the previous round. “We knew it would be a tough game […] against a team that has extraordinary power and also has the same intensity as us,” Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said after qualifying. That's what characterizes a great team: playing well, but also fighting, going into brawls and battles and that's what we did. "

Orphan of its playmaker, Christian Eriksen, victim of a heart attack in the first match against Finland, the Danish selection seems animated by a spiritual and collective force on the ground. The players have also repeatedly expressed their desire to play well in tribute to their number 10, just like coach Kasper Hjulmand just before the quarter-final: “We will play with Christian Eriksen in mind. He is still the heart of this team. For him, and without fear, we will still give everything. There is no doubt that the Danes will always have this mission in mind when they face England at Wembley next Wednesday.