🇩🇰 Denmark Soccer Chases It’s Magic Moment

Inspired by the recovery of their fallen star, the Danes have a fairytale feeling. [View in browser]( [FOX SPORTS INSIDER WITH MARTIN ROGERS] In today’s FOX Sports Insider with Martin Rogers: Inspired by the recovery of fallen star Christian Eriksen, Denmark soccer seeks a fairytale ending at Euro 2020 ... we get a glimpse at which NBA stars might end up on the trade market this offseason ... and while spin rate is a big thing in baseball these days, there is one pitch that remains most effective with zero spin at all. This isn’t to say it is going to happen, that it’s likely to happen or that there is anything better than a slight possibility, but the potential for a barnstorming, scarcely-believable, straight-from-a-movie sporting tale sprouted from nowhere at the start of this week. Now let’s see what comes next. [Denmark’s]( campaign at soccer’s [European Championships]( was destined to be a reminder about how sports, for all its power and meaning, pales in comparison to the importance of real life and the stark fragility that we try to pretend isn’t really there. After star forward [Christian Eriksen]( collapsed with a cardiac arrest during his team’s opening game, the Danes lost their first two matchups. And frankly, it seemed inappropriate even to mention the scoreline when writing about how a man had clinically died on a soccer field and been brought back to life by heroic medical personnel. [STORY IMAGE 1] "We are thinking of our friend, Christian," goalkeeper [Kasper Schmeichel]( told reporters. "That’s where our minds are focused." Denmark was destined to go out of the tournament and it didn’t matter. Eriksen surviving, being taken to the hospital and then released into the care of his family – that was enough. That was the victory. That was the ultimate triumph, the most thankful comeback from the lowest moment, when it seemed for a while that a global audience was going to look on horrified as an athlete, a man, a father, passed away. Except somehow on Monday the script changed suddenly. No team had ever before lost their first two games at a Euros and then managed to make it through to the knockout stage. There were a lot of things out of Denmark’s control going into the final group game. And yet, it happened anyway. Goals from [Mikkel Damsgaard]( and [Yussuf Poulsen]( put Denmark ahead against [Russia]( but even that might not have been enough. Nearly 1,000 miles away, in the other match in Group B, [Finland]( was holding on against [Belgium]( and if the 0-0 score stood, the Danes would likely be eliminated. [STORY IMAGE 2] But no. Belgium got up for a late win and Denmark kept piling on the goals, winning 4-1 to clinch the second spot in the group. The flickering of magic? Yep, it’s in the air. "With this team, there are no limits," said forward [Martin Braithwaite]( who plays his club soccer for [Barcelona](. That’s how the Denmark squad feels now – and it’s a powerful force. Next up is the round of 16 on Saturday and an eminently winnable clash with Wales, which feels all the more feasible with the newfound boost in morale spawned from the Russia game. Back home, Eriksen is truly and wholly a part of it, having visited his teammates in an emotional surprise appearance upon his release from the hospital. When Poulsen scored on Monday he made the number 10, Eriksen’s jersey choice, with his hands. Eriksen banners, Eriksen songs, Eriksen tributes were all around the Parken Stadium. Eriksen, of club team [Inter Milan]( has been a phenomenal player, whatever his future holds. But he might be an even better talisman, such is the way he is inspiring his colleagues. [STORY IMAGE 3] For Denmark to come all the way back from the brink and actually win this thing would be unique. [FOXBet has them at +1800]( ninth favorites, and there is a mass of excellent teams in the way. It would be incredible, unique indeed, except, paradoxically, Denmark did something just as extraordinary in this very tournament once before. It was back in 1992 when a Denmark team that had finished second in its pre-qualifying group and failed to make the Euros were enjoying their summer vacation at various European beach spots when they got word to collect their cleats and get ready for action. They were awarded the last spot in the field, which only opened up when Yugoslavia, due to the ongoing crisis of civil unrest in that country, were withdrawn as part of sanctions mandated by the United Nations. In came Denmark, and the rest was history. Just like this time, the 1992 Danes started poorly, with a single point from their first two games. Again, a late revival was in order, punctuated by a heartbreaking story. [STORY IMAGE 4] Kim Vilfort, scorer of the winning penalty kick in the semifinal shootout against the Netherlands, was wrestling with an impossible personal decision. His daughter Line was losing her brave fight against leukemia and he returned home to spend time with her, only for his beloved seven-year-old to urge him to go back for the decisive matches. Vilfort did, and turned in a majestic performance as Denmark stunned overwhelming favorites Germany to lift the trophy. Tragically, Line died a few months later. "This is the greatest achievement in Danish sport, as all Danes feel," Vilfort told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine. "It was so surprising and it fits really well with such a small country, from which a great storyteller comes." The storyteller, of course, is iconic author Hans Christian Andersen, he of glorious and beautifully woven fairytales. It might be too much to wish for another one, but the chance is there, and – for Denmark - a special feeling starting to brew. [STORY IMAGE 5] Here’s what others have said ... Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark coach: “If anyone deserves this, it’s our players. I can’t imagine how they managed to come back from what they went through. So big credit to the boys.” Gabriele Marcotti, ESPN: “But dreaming is free. And having already been part of one miracle, the Danes aren't putting any limits on what fate can deliver. After what they've been through, they know all about second chances and the importance of seizing them with both hands and never letting go. Just like Eriksen did. Just like they're doing.” Patrick Redford, Defector: “Even taking the field again after that took guts, and if Denmark had bounced out quietly, nobody could have blamed them. Playing through the trauma would be one thing, but also Eriksen is their best player. That they’ve moved on shows an incredible depth of spirit, and it’ll be impossible to root against these guys for the rest of their (hopefully lengthy) run.” [IN OTHER WORDS] - Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young is proving to be the best player on the court no matter who he’s facing on the other side. [Yaron Weitzman explains why.]( - With a two-year extension with Hendrick Motorsports in hand, Alex Bowman feels like he is finally coming into his own. [Check out the story from Bob Pockrass.]( - Which NBA stars will be on the trade market this offseason? [Colin Cowherd breaks it down.]( [THE INTERNET IS UNDEFEATED] [THE INTERNET IS UNDEFEATED]( Spin rate has been a big topic of discussion in MLB in recent years. Increased spin makes breaking pitches break more sharply and makes fastballs resist gravity, fooling hitters into thinking they’re actually rising. But there are instances where less spin is good – or when it comes to the knuckleball – no spin at all. Take a look at how ridiculous, baffling and puzzling it is to watch this pitch from Baltimore Orioles knuckler Mickey Jannis float into the catcher’s mitt and then imagine trying to hit it! [VIEWER'S GUIDE] New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (MLBN, 7:10 p.m. ET) When the Yankees traveled to Boston in early June, they were swept in a three-game series. Now, they’ll be looking for revenge as they return to face their rivals in a weekend matchup. New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning (NBCS, 8 p.m. ET) The Isles and Lightning face off for a winner-or-go-home Game 7 – and a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks (TNT, 8:30 p.m. ET) Trae Young scored 48 points as the Hawks stole Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals in Milwaukee. Can the Bucks battle back to tie the series in Game 2? [BET OF THE DAY] [BET OF THE DAY] Odds provided by [FOX Bet]( Eastern Conference finals: Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks Hawks beat the spread (+7.5): -110 The Bucks have been dominant at home in the postseason, losing only once. That loss, though, came in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against Atlanta. It seems likely that the Bucks will bounce back in Game 2 (they are -400 to win the game straight up), but that doesn’t mean the Hawks will get run off the court – not with Trae Young proving unstoppable late in games. 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