Denmark aim to draw on past memories as World Cup destiny is decided
If his attention is concentrated on his team, one department of it may command the most time. Denmark have a lone goal at this World Cup, a header from a centre back, Andreas Christensen, assisted by another, Joachim Andersen, from an Eriksen corner. Hjulmand has been forced to defend his attackers of late. Eriksen is by far the top scorer in this squad. If the actual forwards are not prolific, the Danish model has been to share the goals around. They had 18 scorers in 2021, seven of them at Euro 2020. That collective contribution took them a long way.
Indeed, four players, from defender Christensen to striker Yussuf Poulsen, found the net in the 4-1 demolition of Russia in their third group game then. Now Denmark have one goal from 21 shots, spread across 10 players. Mikkel Damsgaard, one of the breakout stars of Euro 2020 and their semi-final scorer, has not even had an effort. That Damsgaard and Kasper Dolberg are yet to score a club goal this season and Andreas Cornelius has just one suggests the World Cup has come at the wrong time for the Danish attackers.
And yet Hjulmand believes Denmark can draw on past memories of defining games. “The more experience you get in these events, from maybe feeling the pressure, you feel the proudness,” he said.
In Euro 2020, he showed he possesses that rare capacity to connect with people, providing a brand of management that stretched beyond tactics and training sessions, selection and substitutions. He feels international football does likewise; that if it is not necessarily the best, it is the most meaningful.
“I remember a discussion I was in years ago: ‘Is national team football on its way out?’” he recalled. “And I think every time there is a World Cup we see the big emotions and what football is really about: the big emotion of the game and how much it means for the players and people around the world, and that is emotions and that is the beauty of the World Cup.
“That is real football: It is for the children, for the fans, for the next generation. You see some games with less structure than normal, than in the Champions League, but here you see much bigger emotions.”
Recommended
Win, lose or draw and those emotions will be apparent as Denmark’s destiny is decided. Their very presence at a World Cup some felt they could win forms part of a broader emotional journey.
Hjulmand explained: “It is an award for being able to dream big and work hard and go after your dreams. And, here you go, this is your dream. Let’s see what you can do. We will play our socks off and see what happens.”
Register for free to continue reading
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}
By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Already have an account? sign in
By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Register for free to continue reading
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}
By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Already have an account? sign in
By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Source: Read Full Article