Denmark and Slovenia kick off their Euro 2024 campaigns in Stuttgart. England’s Group C rivals will hope to bank early points in the battle to advance to the knock-out stages with games against the Three Lions to come next week.
Talisman Christian Eriksen suffered a heart attack in their Euro 2020 opener against Finland but would make a successful return to the game several months later and Kasper Hjulmand believes the Manchester United midfielder can inspire his team in Germany.
“He has something you can’t train yourself to do, he has a fantastic ability to see the game and find a rhythm,” Hjulmand told broadcaster DR. “I have often said, paradoxically, that he is our heart, he is the pulse of our team.”
Follow all the latest updates from Denmark v Slovenia:
Slovenia 0-1 Denmark, 23 minutes
Slovenia have woken up a touch, getting their midfield pair of Timi Max Elsnink and Adam Gnezda Cerin on the ball. Petar Stojanovic has looked enterprising so far – more usually a right-back, he’s playing on the edge of the midfield four and nearly latches on to a diagonal.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2024 17:25
Slovenia 0-1 Denmark, 20 minutes
Denmark merited that opener – they’ve completely controlled the flow of this first half so far. Slovenia just switched off momentarily after the ball went out of play, but full credit to the Danes for the excellence of execution thereafter.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2024 17:21
GOAL! Slovenia 0-1 DENMARK (Christian Eriksen, 17 minutes)
What a moment for Christian Eriksen!
Denmark are in front! And it’s a beautifully constructed goal with no more deserving scorer. A quick throw-in to Jonas Wind is intelligently and adroitly flicked on by the striker’s heel, allowing Eriksen to chest it down and direct a fine finish into the far corner. Away he wheels to be embraced by his team mates – 1100 days after being brought back to life, Eriksen is on the scoresheet at a Euros.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2024 17:17
Slovenia 0-0 Denmark, 16 minutes
Jaka Bijol lumberjacks the legs of Jonas Wind with a rather nasty challenge for which the centre half is rather fortunate not to be punished beyond a free kick. Sandro Scharer has a word.
Close! Nearly something from nothing from Benjamin Sesko, turning on the ball 30 yards out and generating remarkable power in his snapshot. Kasper Schmiechel is beaten; so, fortunately for the goalkeeper, is his right-hand post.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2024 17:17
Slovenia 0-0 Denmark, 13 minutes
The shapes are good from Denmark, the blond bonces of Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Kristiansen bouncing about as the pair trade passes up the left. Slovenia holding firm for now but struggling mightily to escape their own territory.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2024 17:14
Slovenia 0-0 Denmark, 11 minutes
A slightly better ball from Christian Eriksen as the midfielder delivers a free kick from about 40 yards out on the angle. Andreas Christensen flicks it over the bar, throwing his head back with a little too much oomph.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2024 17:12
Slovenia 0-0 Denmark, 9 minutes
Zippy passing from Denmark’s midfield three and Christian Eriksen lifts a dainty pass to Rasmus Hojlund. Out to the right the centre forward looks, and Alexander Bah’s drive is blocked behind. Corner kick.
Christian Eriksen will swing it in…tame. Headed away.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2024 17:09
Slovenia 0-0 Denmark, 7 minutes
Jonas Wind is released in behind the Slovenia back four, but the forward miscontrols, affording Jaka Bijol the chance to recover. The flag was up, regardless, though Wind will be disappointed with his touch.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2024 17:07
Slovenia 0-0 Denmark, 6 minutes
A little better from the Slovenes, first Peter Stojanovic and then Andraz Sporar toting the ball up the right. Benjamin Sesko is a lonely target in the box, though, and Denmark cut out the cross in comfort.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2024 17:05
Slovenia 0-0 Denmark, 5 minutes
A rare misstep in possession from Morten Hjlumand, but the midfielder steps in firmly to atone. Slovenia have barely had a sniff of the ball so far; Denmark’s back three have the halfway line on their heels.
Harry Latham-Coyle16 June 2024 17:05