The national stadium in Baku is today Playground for the last time at EURO 2021, Denmark and the Czech Republic will meet in the quarter-finals. If a survey had been carried out among all 24 final round participants, the capital of Azerbaijan would have won the title of the most unpopular host by a respectable margin. This is mainly due to the distances to be covered. There are 4,000 kilometers between Copenhagen and Baku and 3,600 from Prague. The teams have to endure hardships, and the story turns into an expensive gauntlet for the fans.
You’d rather stay at home and keep your fingers crossed in the first row in the Patschenkino. At least as a supporter of the Czech national team. The attempt to set up a charter flight failed due to a lack of interest – caused by strict quarantine regulations at home and high travel costs.
The belief in the next surprise in the tournament after the 2-0 win over the Netherlands is still great. Especially with Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, who has scored four EURO goals and lives the dream of being the best marksman. “Our team spirit is outstanding and our journey is not over. We can achieve great things,” said the Czech striker before the test of strength with the Danes, who are also carried by a wave of euphoria.
The gold medal for the “European champion of hearts” has long been hung around them. The way in which the team and support staff dealt with the drama surrounding Christian Eriksen, who collapsed in the first group game against Finland (0-1), earned the greatest respect from all observers.
You grow beyond yourself
Meanwhile, the team of coach Kasper Hjulmand has played into a little EM frenzy – garnished with many direct hits. While captain Simon Kjaer & Co. had secured the round of 16 with a 4-1 win in Copenhagen at the last moment, an outstanding 4-0 win against Wales followed at the start of the knockout phase. “Danish Dynamite” cannot wipe a certain favorite role off the table today. “I cannot promise any results, but I can promise that we will fight again. These guys are warriors,” emphasized Hjulmand, who is not only a capable team boss, but also a brilliant mental coach with a “golden hand”.
Whoever he brings, he hits the nail on the head. This not only applies to Eriksen’s replacement Mikkel Damsgaard (20), but also to Kasper Dolberg (23), who stepped into the breach for the injured Yussuf Poulsen with two goals against Wales. Today you have to be prepared for everything – including an extension. Five of the last six meetings between Denmark and the Czech Republic have ended in a draw.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
