This Denmark page continues to surprise us all.
After the traumatic events that took place on match day 1, when Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest and his teammates protected him from world glare, and subsequent two defeats against Finland and Belgium, many suspected that Denmark’s tournament could well have been
Instead, this team has since grown and stepped up to fill the void left by Eriksen as he begins his long road to recovery. But one boy has fully accepted the challenge of lighting the spark that has been lost in the Inter star’s absence.
Mikkel Damsgaard was relatively unknown to spectators outside Serie A before the first whistle in Euro 2020, but two weeks later the wing is now one of the most talked about football players on the continent.
So how many clubs do we expect to be linked to Mikkel Damsgaard after the euro? ? pic.twitter.com/niMvTBL2aK
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) 26 June 2021
The 20-year-old announced himself on the European stage in a nice way and scored the opening goal in Denmark’s important 4-1 victory over Russia on the last day of the group stage. His curling and dipping strike set the tone for his nation – a pace they have kept on entering the knockout rounds.
Damsgaard was once again involved in Denmark’s success and provided an assist for the opening goal, when his side defeated Wales 4-0 to book their place in the quarterfinals.
The Sampdoria edge was completely electric on Saturday and lit up Amsterdam Arena with its lightning movement, intricate tricks and connection contributions. In fact, the statistics speak for themselves when analyzing a pulsating first half.
Mikkel Damsgaard in the first half vs. #WAL
100% start success 100% flight duels won 100% cross accuracy 21 touch 5 duels won 3 created chances (most) 2 take-ons (= most) 1 assist
Causes Wales all sorts of problems. pic.twitter.com/dtrkdhhYtD
– Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 26, 2021
Number 14 beat her man with each attempt, found her goal with each cross and created the most chances in the first 45 minutes. His understanding of his teammates was eerie, popping up in tight spaces to knock the ball into a colleague before pulling out into space and waiting for his return.
That movement and ability to avoid his marker was crucial to the dead-end groundbreaking strike, as he showed fantastic awareness of the full bamboo Wales backline. Damsgaard started a diagonal run and soon found a pass that was pinged into him while he was on the march.
He tamed the delivery, continued to move away from the goal before suddenly producing the most beautiful of turns and spinning freely from his desperate marker. Damsgaard was now waiting for the perfect moment and was pushed by two strenuous defenders and gently caressed a pass on Kasper Dolberg’s road.
?? Mikkel Damsgaard in the first half = ________ # EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/7GQ0QYb5d9
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) 26 June 2021
The striker did the rest with an evil blast from the edge of the area, but so much of this goal was due to Damsgaard’s intelligence and magic. However, the Sampdoria starlet did not rest on his laurels and began torturing the Welsh defense, opening doors and working over cross positions all afternoon.
All this in just one hour too.
Hungary was replaced in 60 minutes, when coach Kasper Hjulmand decided it was time to protect his starlet for the next round. There is no doubt about his place in the starting line-up now either – he has shown that he can bear his country’s attacking responsibility.
His ability to play between the lines would undoubtedly have given comparisons with the master of art, Eriksen himself. Many feared that without their number 10, Denmark would fight to create opportunities and break down stubborn defenses.
Job done / Koen van Weel – Pool / Getty Images
Well, this fear has subsided and has instead been replaced by silent optimism. Damsgaard is the reason for the newly discovered faith. He is intelligent, sharp, technically gifted and full of confidence.
This is his tournament, and he makes Eriksen and the rest of his nation proud.
Damsgaard is one of the few players who have been selected for 90 minutes Spring 21 Euro 2020 series.
