On the way into Euro 2020, few people gave Mikkel Damsgaard much hope of getting anything more than short comerolls from the bench.
Denmark’s head coach Kasper Hjulmand is a man who seems to favor experience over young people with wildcards, even though the terrible incident with talisman Christian Eriksen in their initial game against Finland saw the Danish boss hand Damsgaard his chance.
The 21-year-old’s first outing at a major tournament came against the first-class team in the world Belgium on match day two (no pressure) and you would have forgiven him for taking some time to find his feet when he settled in at the time – he needed no such luxury,
Damsgaard was the brightest of Denmark’s front line throughout the competition, with a brief magical moment when he jumped away from two Belgian defenders before curling a shot inch next to Thibaut Courtois’ long post almost enough to catch his side a point.
If his inclusion against Roberto Martinez’s side was seen as a game by Hjulmand, his debut in Euro 2020 was enough to see him become a regular for the rest of the campaign.
One of the top stars in Euro 2020, Mikkel Damsgaard. ✨
Get to know ??? 21’s Denmark wonderkid whose performances at # EURO2020 have aroused interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. ?? pic.twitter.com/W0FK1b0vgq
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) July 3, 2021
Match day three represented a moment of water difference for the forward when he etched his name in football history by becoming the first player born after the year 2000 to score in a European Championship final.
Damsgaard’s goal against Russia characterized everything we have expected of him when he collected the ball on the half-wing before creating a surface to curl a lavish effort into Matvei Safonov’s upper corner.
The first half set the tone for his side in a game they could not afford to lose, and setting the tone for the rest of his teammates was something Damsgaard did throughout the tournament – from high octane pressure to individual brilliance on the ball, he spent the entire Euro 2020 leading the way for their older teammates to follow.
When the Danes entered the knockout phases of Euro 2020, they no longer turned to Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite for inspiration, but it was their prodigies who would pull the strings.
• The first player born in the 2000s to score a goal for the European Championships • Denmark’s youngest goal scorer in a major tournament • Participated in ??? 21
Mikkel Damsgaard has a bright future! ?? pic.twitter.com/Z2dwzBiaso
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) 21 June 2021
The Sampdoria man proved too hot to handle Wales when Denmark lost the challenge from Rob Page’s gallant side. Damsgaard completed the most take-ups, most chances and grabbed himself an assist in the beginning 45 minutes when Denmark came forward, before Hjulmand pulled back his man and beat him in cotton wool with the game effectively over.
The 21-year-old’s confidence continued to grow and grow as the tournament reached its final stages, and after a stellar appearance in his side’s quarter-final triumph over the Czech Republic, Damsgaard would face his biggest challenge of all against England.
Once again, he proved to be the leader in the Danish package, with the three lions’ fixed back line simply unable to cope with his movement and energy.
If his goal against Russia was special, his opener in the semifinals undoubtedly topped it, showed the technique, and perhaps more impressive confidence, to shoot a brilliant free kick with the ankle of his boot past the swinging Jordan Pickford from all of 25 meters.
Mikkel Damsgaard was great for Denmark at Euro 2020 / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Damsgaard was pulled back halfway in the second half of Denmark’s semi-final when Hjulmand looked towards the midfield, but after going 2-1 down, it was clear that the Danes missed the child’s nap and spark around the edge of the area.
Denmark may not have made it to the finals in Euro 2020, but in Mikkel Damsgaard they have got an absolute gem that can continue to be his county’s talisman for many years to come.
