Eriksen excels but Danes stutter again in opening Euro draw with Slovenia

Denmark's recent habit of superb attacking and suspect defending came back to haunt them in their Group C Euro 2024 opener against Slovenia as they once again threw away a lead to end up with a 1-1 draw on Sunday in a game they should have won.

Christian Eriksen excelled in the playmaker role, scoring the opening goal and creating virtually everything of note for Denmark, but once again his side's defending let them down as they ran out of steam in the second half.

"Of course, there has to be energy all the time, but that's what happens in football games, sometimes it changes ... but I think the lack of the second goal also has an influence," Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said.

Flanked by Eriksen, who was given the man of the match award, the 53-year-old praised the midfielder's ability to control a game after returning from a near-fatal cardiac arrest suffered during their Euro 2020 opener against Finland.

"He (Eriksen) has something very special," Hjulmand said.

"He played a fantastic game for us today and he is the rhythm of our team. We want to push him close to the goal and we see again today why, because he has some finishing and break-through skills that we need."

Denmark's coach has been criticised for relying on Eriksen, who only played sporadically for Manchester United in the past season, but he remains steadfast in his decision to include him.

"I have never had my doubts with Christian as a football player, you cannot hold down that kind of class. He is a natural player who knows the rhythm of the game - we say he's the heart of our game. For me he's a great player, and he showed it today," he said.

Denmark take on England in their next group game on Thursday, with the Slovenians set to face Serbia. REUTERS