THOMAS DELANEY

Azerbaijan Czech Republic Denmark Euro 2020 Soccer Danish supporters hold a banner for Christian Eriksen, during the Euro 2020 soccer championship quarterfinal match between Czech Republic and Denmark, at the Olympic stadium in Baku, Saturday, July 3, 2021. Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand found that out on Saturday, his mind wandering from the match even as his team was playing in the European Championship quarterfinals. “I thought about him during the game and after the game,” Hjulmand said through a translator after the 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic. “He’s always been a very important part of the team and he still is,” Denmark midfielder Thomas Delaney said through an interpreter. And in October, Eriksen scored Denmark’s only goal at Wembley in a 1-0 victory over England in the Nations League.

Christian Eriksen’s absence makes it even harder to forget what happened to him.

Azerbaijan Czech Republic Denmark Euro 2020 Soccer Denmark's Thomas Delaney celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship quarterfinal match between Czech Republic and Denmark, at the Olympic stadium in Baku, Saturday, July 3, 2021. The Danes, who have developed into a surprise contender after their tournament began with midfielder Christian Eriksen suffering cardiac arrest on the field, advanced to the Euro 2020 semifinals on Saturday by beating the Czech Republic 2-1. The place in the semifinals is the farthest Denmark has progressed at a major tournament since winning the European title in 1992. Denmark lost its first two games at Euro 2020, first against Finland — when Eriksen collapsed on the field — and then to Belgium. Danish fans far outnumbered the few dozen from the Czech Republic.

Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg scored a goal each to give Denmark a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic and a spot in the European Championship semifinals.