Euro 2020: ‘Denmark set to make most of Dutch connection against Wales’

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand is hoping his nation’s lengthy love affair with Dutch soccer typically and Ajax Amsterdam, particularly, will stand to them once they tackle Wales of their Euro 2020 final 16 recreation on Saturday.
The two sides meet on the Johan Cruyff Arena the place many Danes have represented Ajax over time, together with playmaker Christian Eriksen, who’s recovering following a cardiac arrest in opposition to Finland in Denmark’s opening recreation.
“If any club outside the borders has meant anything to Danish football, this (Ajax) is it. There is a very big connection between Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Denmark,” Hjulmand informed a information convention.
“Christian (Eriksen) left home when he was 16, and this is his second home. We also have (Kasper) Dolberg and (Nicolai) Boilesen — there are so many players who have gotten their football upbringing here,” he added.
The Danes beat Wales twice within the UEFA Nations League in 2018, however Hjulmand mentioned that these outcomes will depend for nothing when the 2 sides meet once more.
“It was a team that was somewhere else at the time when Denmark last met them. They were in the process of making some changes. From there, they have had three good years,” Hjulmand defined.
One participant who continues to be within the setup is Gareth Bale, who has spent the final season enjoying alongside Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at Tottenham Hotspur in England.
“In the last ten years, not many people have done what he has done. Scored over 100 goals for Real Madrid. He’s a class player, a great guy. One of the best players I have played with,” Hojbjerg informed reporters.
“I wish the best for him, just not tomorrow!” he added.
Hojbjerg doesn’t agree with Bale that Wales is the underdog on Saturday, and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has mentioned that he and the Danes aren’t taking something with no consideration.
“If you know anything about football, you know that the next match is the most important. We are not thinking about that match after the next one,” Hojbjerg mentioned.
Hjulmand believes his aspect is now totally recovered from the shock of Eriksen’s collapse. “We have gotten over a traumatic experience and we know that we are warriors — we went in there again that same evening. We played against the strongest national team (Belgium) a few days later,” Hjulmand mentioned.
“This team has shown mental strength for several years, we know that we just get stronger and stronger as time goes on,” he added.