Euro 2020: Hjulmand rues ‘disappointing’ England penalty decision
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand was unable to hide his frustration at the penalty decision that eliminated his side from Euro 2020 in a 2-1 semifinal loss to England.
An own goal from Simon Kjaer cancelled out Mikkel Damsgaard’s opener for Denmark, and after the game had finished 1-1 in normal time, England were awarded a penalty in extra time. Harry Kane’s spot-kick was saved by Kasper Schmeichel, but the England striker scored from the rebound.
“We’re very, very disappointed, and it’s hard for me to talk about,” Hjulmand said after Wednesday’s loss at Wembley. “Maybe it will [be] easier for me to say how I feel in a few days.”
Raheem Sterling drew the penalty when the Manchester City forward wriggled into the area down the right, cut inside and fell under the challenge of Mathias Jensen. The contact looked minimal, and a video review was needed. After a brief wait that must have felt longer to England’s fans, the decision stood.
“We’re just very disappointed that we were so close to the final,” Hjulmand said. “We’re disappointed it was decided that way. … It was a penalty that shouldn’t have been a penalty, and that annoys me right now. We’re disappointed, we’re very disappointed.
“It’s one thing to lose a game, that happens, but losing this way is just a disappointment, because these guys have fought a lot. It’s bitter; I think we have to digest this before we can describe these feelings, but it’s a bitter way to leave a tournament.”
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Despite the own goal and the loss, Hjulmand thanked the people of Denmark once again for their support.
“I’m grateful for Denmark, the entire nation,” he said. “We needed the support, the empathy when that happened with Christian. We’ve been receiving a lot of love, a lot of support and that was amazing to feel.
“Our future is full of hope and belief, these guys are outstanding and the whole nation can be proud. Keep giving them the love and the respect they deserve. … We can be incredibly proud.”