Janza thwarts Eriksen’s triumphant revival

Slovenia and Denmark starred in the first draw of the Euro Cup in a match in which, although it may sound cliché, each one took ownership of a part. The first, a Danish monologue culminated in Eriksen’s goal, three years after being reborn in the last edition of the tournament, and in the second, a great Slovenian reaction translated into Janza’s goal to cause a distribution of points that did not finishes satisfying neither of the two teams.

Two countries accustomed to dueling in the Tour de France on the wheels of Pogacar and Vingegaard, who also faced each other on their way to the Euro Cup, faced each other in the elite of continental football with a more than disparate historical background. Slovenia, in its second experience in the tournament and looking for its first victory, and Denmark, champion in 1992 and current semi-finalist.

The Danish team assumed its status as favorites and monopolized possession from the opening whistle. The depth from the left of Kristiansen and the mobility of Eriksen and Hjulmand kept the Slovenians at bay, who were looking for quick transitions through the speed of Sesko.

Despite the Red Dynamite’s monologue, it was the Leipzig forward who enjoyed the first great opportunity of the match. He received the ball on the edge of the area and, given the inactivity of the rival defense, he turned and unleashed a whip into the left corner that went wide by a few centimeters.

Recovered from the scare, Kasper Hjulmand’s men dealt the first blow of the afternoon in Stuttgart. And it could not be anyone other than Eriksen who was to blame. Bah was quick to take a throw-in when he observed the disorganized Slovenian defense, Wind gave way with a delicious backheel and the Manchester United midfielder, after settling the ball with his chest, finished wonderfully with an early bounced shot against which he could do nothing. Oblak. Three years after the cardiac arrest that kept an entire country in suspense in the last Euro Cup, the reborn Eriksen led Denmark on the scoreboard. Life gave him a second chance and what better way to take advantage of it than to remain among the football elite.

After a few minutes to catch their breath in which they gave up possession, the Danes returned to the fray. A clearance by Sesko from a powerful outside cross by Eriksen bounced off Mlakar and came very close to becoming the comical goal of the tournament. Slovenia found an escape route behind the centre-backs and only poor control by Sporar prevented a one-on-one against Schmeichel. If Sesko had been the recipient of Mlakar’s great delivery, another rooster would have crowed.

Eriksen had a great opportunity to score his second goal after Wind’s recovery and back pass towards the penalty spot, but the United midfielder’s shot went wide and the score was 0-1. electronic when passing through locker rooms.

Sweet and sour taste

Little or nothing changed the script of the match after halftime. A reckless tackle by Andersen on Sporar in the near area nearly put Slovenia in the game with a penalty, but neither the Swiss referee Schärer nor the VAR observed anything punishable.

Denmark’s dominance was lessened as the minutes passed and, even with the management of possession, it gave way to an exchange of blows. Kristiansen’s depth gave Hojlund a clear chance, but Oblak’s belly prevented a goal that seemed done. On the next play, Sporar took advantage of a faulty clearance attempt by Andersen and Cerin’s header almost became the tying goal.

Slovenia believed it for the first time in the match. Sporar, two meters from the goal, misplaced the inside in a clear shot, Sesko hit the post with another distant whip, but the third time was the charm. After a rejected corner, Janza made strong contact with the ball, but it was the rebound on Hjulmand that deflected the shot enough to tie the game.

Matzaj Kek’s men were not satisfied with the point and were determined to go for the three. The willful Panathinaikos striker took advantage of Vestergaard’s slowness to stand up to Schmeichel, but the veteran goalkeeper palmed Sporar’s shot enough to deflect it and thwart the Slovenian comeback.

The carousel of Danish substitutions stopped the bleeding to return the match to an equality that was reflected on the scoreboard. A part for each one and a point that leaves both teams with a bittersweet taste, aware that they could well have added their first victory.