Belgium beats Denmark in game marked by Eriksen tribute
COPENHAGEN » When the game was over, Denmark’s players walked around the field to a standing ovation from a crowd that serenaded them as if they had just won the European Championship.
The scoreboard on the big screens inside Parken Stadium told a different story: Belgium 2, Denmark 1. But in many ways, this felt like a win for Denmark’s team — and its fans — on a day when soccer became fun again.
“I can’t describe the pride I feel for this squad,” Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said. “Four days after almost losing one of their best friends, they get up and play a game like this.”
It was Denmark’s first game since Christian Eriksen collapsed during the team’s opening Euro 2020 match against Finland. Eriksen had to be resuscitated with a defibrillator after suffering cardiac arrest and is still recovering in the hospital.
Days later, with tributes continuing to come in from just about everywhere, Denmark nearly rode the raucous atmosphere at Parken Stadium to an improbable win over top-ranked Belgium.
Yussuf Poulsen gave Denmark the lead in only the second minute but substitute Kevin De Bruyne turned the game around in the second half, setting up the equalizer for Thorgan Hazard before scoring the winner himself in the 71st minute.
In a sign of how Eriksen’s collapse has affected all teams at the tournament, the game was halted just after 10 minutes for a minute’s applause by the entire stadium. The 25,000 fans rose as one and started clapping as the clock ticked past 9:59 and Belgium soon stopped play as they were preparing an attack. The players from both teams joined in the applause. NETHERLANDS 2, AUSTRIA 0 » Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries scored a goal in each half as the Netherlands comfortably beat Austria to advance to the round of 16. UKRAINE 2, NORTH MACEDONIA 1 » Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk scored to give Ukraine a victory over North Macedonia.
Murray loses at Queen’s Club
LONDON » Top-seeded Matteo Berrettini overpowered Andy Murray with his booming serve in a 6-3, 6-3 victory at The Queen’s Club grass-court tournament.
The 34-year-old Murray, who’s been nursing a groin injury, beat Benoit Paire in straight sets on Tuesday in his first singles match in three months. He missed a chance to face British No. 1 Dan Evans in the quarterfinals.
VeeKay expects to race
Rinus VeeKay was on a 75-mile training ride when he lost control of his bicycle, flew over the handlebars and landed so hard that he cracked his helmet and his left shoulder.
He was taken to a hospital in Hobart, Indiana, where X-rays confirmed a broken collarbone.
The rising IndyCar star will miss Sunday’s race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, but told The Associated Press he’s determined to be back in the car at Mid-Ohio in two weeks and salvage his promising season.
Hataoka shares lead in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. » Nasa Hataoka had a share of the Meijer LPGA Classic lead in her first event since losing a playoff in the U.S. Women’s Open.
The 22-year-old Japanese player birdied three of the last five holes at Blythefield Country Club to match fellow morning starters Leona Maguire, Charley Hull and Lauren Stephenson at 7-under 65.
Hull played the last five holes in 5 under with long eagle putts on the 14th and 18th and a birdie on 16.