“This is not how football is supposed to be” - Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand hits out at VAR after Euro 2024 exit to Germany
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand has slammed VAR following its controversial application in his side's Euro 2024 loss to Germany on Saturday (June 29) in the Round of 16. The Scandinavian nation exited the tournament, as they saw a goal chalked off and a penalty given to opponents during the game.
The Danes played a brave game against the hosts in Dortmund and thought they had the lead in the 48th minute through Joachim Anderson. The officials interrupted their celebrations and further compounded their misery by awarding Die Mannshaft a penalty in the 53rd minute.
Speaking after their 2-0 loss, Hjumland blasted VAR in his post-match interview to the press, saying:
"I rarely talk about these decisions but it was very decisive for this game. It's frustrating. Being in front 1-0 would have changed everything. This is not how we're supposed to be using VAR, it's one centimetre. And after a few minutes, there's a penalty. I'm so tired of the ridiculous handball rules. We can't require our defenders to run like this, it's not natural!"
The Denmark boss concluded, saying:
"In my opinion, this is not how football is supposed to be."
Despite falling to defeat against Germany, Kasper Hjulmand will be proud of his side's display at Euro 2024. The Scandinavian nation came through their group unbeaten, securing a creditable draw against England en route to the Round of 16.
VAR controversy sees Kasper Hjulmand's Denmark lose to Germany in Euro 2024
Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand was furious with VAR after his side's 2-0 loss against Germany in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024. The Scandinavian nation saw a goal ruled out and a penalty awarded against them in the match to see them fall to defeat.
The Danes gave a good account of themselves and managed to take the hosts to halftime with the game leveled at 0-0. However, the second half would see VAR take center stage, with a couple of questionable decisions going against them.
Kasper Hjulmand will be forgiven for experiencing whiplash after he believed his side took the lead through Joachim Anderson in the 48th minute. The goal would be ruled out and minutes later, Micheal Oliver would rule that David Raum's cross had struck Anderson's fingers in the box.
Kai Havertz would convert the resulting penalty for Germany in the 53rd minute and the Danes looked crestfallen afterward. Jamal Musiala would double the host's lead in the 68th minute to put the game beyond Denmark and see them get eliminated from Euro 2024.
The Germans head into the quarter-finals, where they will face Spain or Albania.