‘He’s had unbelievable tournament – and I said I’m not surprised’
WHAT KASPER TOLD DANNY AFTER THEIR LAST-16 CLASH
DANNY Ward could not keep a rampant Denmark at bay but Leicester City team-mate Kasper Schmeichel was delighted his deputy could show his talents on the world stage.
Ward and Schmeichel faced off at Euro 2020 on Saturday evening, as Wales succumbed 4-0 to the Danes in the last-16 tie.
It was the first time that two goalkeepers from the same club had met in a European Championships fixture, and it ended in victory for City’s number one.
Kasper Dolberg scored twice before Joakim Maehle and Martin Braithwaite added late finishes to cap a superb performance.
Ward was unable to produce the heroics that had saved Wales in the group stages, but Schmeichel was quick to tell his team-mate how well he had done when they met after the match.
In a moment broadcast live, the two City keepers chatted then hugged as they made their way to the tunnel at full-time.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Schmeichel revealed the details of their conversation.
“I told him he’s had an unbelievable tournament and I’m not surprised, he’s a top-class goalkeeper,” Schmeichel said.
“I said it to our boys before the game that we were coming up
I said it to our boys before the game that we were coming up against a top-class goalkeeper
Kasper Schmeichel
against a top-class goalkeeper. He’s not a keeper who has any weaknesses, he’s very solid in every aspect of goalkeeping, a modern goalkeeper.
“He’s got a great mentality and, for me, he’s a great team-mate.
“I’m really proud to see how well he’s done. I’m so happy for him that he got the chance to show it on the world stage. He’s been exceptional.”
The win sparked huge celebrations for the Danish supporters who had travelled to Amsterdam and, given the quality of the performance, they will be confident of making further progress in the tournament.
After losing their first two games amid the devastation of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest, Schmeichel is proud of how the country has come together to make the last eight.
“We had a somewhat of a rough start, to put it mildly,” Schmeichel said.
“To see the way the nation has come together, the support to come to a different country, there were that many Danish flags in the street when we were driving to the stadium, on our walk this morning seeing all the Danish fans everywhere, it’s unique.
“It reminds us why we play football. It’s a team sport, we have teammates who are there for us when things happen.
“That’s what the Danish team has shown – we stand together and help each other in the hardest moments.”