Controversial VAR Decisions Eliminate Denmark from Euro 2024
Denmark's hopes at Euro 2024 were dashed in a controversial round of 16 match against Germany in Dortmund. The game, which ended 2-0 in favor of Germany, saw two critical VAR decisions that significantly impacted the outcome.
In the 48th minute, Denmark's goal was disallowed due to a millimetric offside detected by VAR. Shortly after, a penalty was awarded to Germany for a handball by Danish defender Joachim Andersen, which Kai Havertz converted, putting Germany ahead. Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand expressed his frustration, stating, 'Football shouldn't be like this.'
Danish Media and Public Reaction
While the Danish media acknowledged the superior performance of the German team, they also questioned the future of Denmark's national team. Bt newspaper noted, 'Denmark lost in Dortmund, a match full of rain and thunder which however leads us to ask some serious questions.' Berlingske summarized the sentiment, 'The dominant Germans throw Denmark out of the European Championships.'
Jyllands-Posten echoed these sentiments, stating, 'Denmark swept out of Euro 24 in a flash.' The media focused more on the team's overall performance rather than the controversial VAR decisions, highlighting the need for the team to find its balance and improve.
Calls for VAR Review and Future Prospects
Kasper Hjulmand has called for a review of the VAR rules, particularly concerning handballs. He argued, 'We can't ask our defenders to run without using their arms. In this situation, there is nothing abnormal.' Despite the frustration, Hjulmand acknowledged Germany's strong performance and congratulated them on their victory. Germany will now advance to the quarter-finals to face the winner of the match between Spain and Georgia.
- In the post-match press conference, Hjulmand was visibly upset by the decisions made by the VAR. He showed a photo to illustrate how close the offside call was, emphasizing that such marginal decisions should not determine the outcome of crucial matches.
- Despite the controversy, the Danish coach did not fail to recognize Germany's dominance, especially in the first fifteen minutes of the game. He mentioned that Denmark was in 'survival mode' during that period but managed to balance the game afterward.
- The Danish media's reaction was mixed, with some outlets focusing on the need for the national team to improve and others highlighting the controversial nature of the VAR decisions. The consensus, however, was that Denmark needs to reassess and prepare better for future tournaments.
