The incredible moment Denmark’s jubilant players find out they’ve reached the last-16 at Euro 2020… as they are filmed crowding around a phone in the centre circle before erupting with joy after Belgium’s win over Finland was confirmed
- Denmark dramatically qualified from Group B on goal difference after a 4-1 win
- Kasper Hjulmand’s side thrashed Russia in their final group game to progress
- The squad gathered around a mobile phone on the pitch to confirm the news
- Once confirming Finland had lost, Denmark broke out into joyous celebrations
- Their qualification comes after Eriksen collapsed in their first game on June 12
Denmark celebrated qualifying for the last-16 in the best possible way after securing their place in the next round just nine days after Christian Eriksen received life-saving treatment on the pitch.
The Danes thrashed Russia 4-1 with stunners from Mikkel Damsgaard and Andreas Christensen bookending Yussuf Poulsen’s tap-in, before Joakim Maehle wrapped up the game and paid a heartwarming tribute to stricken team-mate.
However, it wasn’t until after the players had crowded round Kasper Hjulmand’s mobile phone to confirm Finland’s loss that they broke out into joyous celebration.
Denmark (above) dramatically qualified from Group B on goal difference after a 4-1 win
Denmark delivered on their promise to ‘do it for Christian’ after landing a place in the last-16 despite losing to Belgium and Finland.
With two defeats to their name, it seemed unlikely that Denmark would qualify for the knockout stage.
However, Finland and Russia both finished the group stages on three points – seeing the Danes go through as runners-up.
Nevertheless, Denmark refused to celebrate until the confirmation of Finland’s loss came through.
Kasper Hjulmand’s side thrashed Russia in their final group game to progress through
Once confirming Finland had lost, Denmark broke out into joyous celebrations on the pitch
The Denmark manager was seen frantically trying to refresh his phone on the pitch to see if the full-time whistle had been blown.
Players were also gathering by his side, forming as large circle in anticipation of what was to come.
Once Hjulmand had confirmed Finland had lost their game with Belgium, Denmark players broke out into celebration.
Speaking after the game, Hjulmand said it was important to confirm the Finland result before celebrating.
‘The circle was because I think it’s crazy to run around and cheer without a result in the Finland game,’ he said.
‘We hoped it would be a magic night. I want to say thank you to all the people who have been supporting us and who have shown so much love.
Hjulmand said it was important to confirm the Finland result before celebrating with fans
Their qualification comes just nine days after Eriksen collapsed in their first game on June 12
‘I could feel it really affected the players so thank you so much for the support, it means the world to us.’
Pundits also recognised who special Denmark’s qualification was given after witnessing their team-mate suffer a cardiac arrest in the same stadium just nine days before.
‘That is an emotional squad there. They have been through an emotional rollercoaster and it is great to see them go through,’ Rio Ferdinand said on BBC One.
While former Lioness Alex Scott added: ‘This is special. The emotion they must be feeling all around that stadium. To play the way they did in front of those fans and qualify is just magical.’