The passage of time in Wellington and elsewhere
“[Christian] has found a place where he feels confident to take the next step in the fight to get back on to the field. I’m super-happy that he is safe and happy and looking forward to playing football, and that we can all see him play again” – the Denmark coach, Kasper Hjulmand, on Christian Eriksen finding the right club in Brentford. Read his Q&A with Bart Vliestra here.
Christian Eriksen in action for Denmark against Finland at Euro 2020, before his cardiac arrest
Christian Eriksen has made an emotional return to football with Brentford after the trauma of the Euro 2020 finals last summer when, in his words, he “died for five minutes” on the pitch. The Denmark midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest during his team’s opening game of the tournament against Finland in Copenhagen on 12 June and received life-saving treatment from medics
Eriksen has been motivated by the dream of returning to the highest level and playing for Denmark at the World Cup finals in Qatar at the end of the year. He has taken another step towards it by signing for Brentford until the end of the season. If things go well, he could be offered a deal for the following season.
A Wednesday evening trip to the stadium against one of the best teams around.
A 0-1 loss was, in the end, not surprising. Considering the recent form of City it could gave been an avalanche. Some fine players on display but at the same time plenty of modern footballer antics with feigning injury and complaining to the referee to make one mad.
After the game, in the pub, the lads were pragmatic.
Friday night football at ‘ new Griffin Park’. Not a great performance but periods of proper football and pressure. A win in the end with two late goals.
Against another potential relegation team the wind may turn out to be very important.
A Sunday afternoon visit for football rather than athletics and only 9 years late for the latter.
Brentford were playing West Ham and managed to pull out a last minute win when really a draw would have been reasonable.
I think this was the first away game I have been to since seeing them play Cheltenham Town when in League 1 about 20 years ago when I took Joseph. And then In was in the side stand with the home supporters.
The stadium was full which I think means 60,000 with about 5,000 of us. A strange experience. The stadium is clearly not designed for football with the pitch a long way from the fans. I was ‘on my own’ with 5,000 others, ie. no AP to discuss the finer points or moan to.
A positive write up:
Last weekend, Yoane Wissa emerged from the bench and equalised against Liverpool within four minutes. It took the man from the Democratic Republic of Congo double the length of time to hurt West Ham, but a winner with the game’s final action was a stunning outcome when his team appeared content with a point.
A little late as the game was on Saturday, but all the same, it needs to be recorded. So, after so many times when we ‘dreamed’ of playing in the top flight, we though of playing Manchester United and Liverpool and the likes of them. So now Liverpool came to visit. Before I assumed that a tight loss was likely. In the end a great draw after a great event, a great game with noise and ambiance.
It was a great game to be at, somewhat unbelievable, taking the lead, fighting back and with such great noise. Keep enjoying the ride!
Ed Aarons at Brentford Community Stadium@ed_aaronsSat 25 Sep 2021 19.35 BST
At the final whistle, Jürgen Klopp could not stop shaking his head in disbelief. Somehow his Liverpool side had contrived to throw away victory against a Brentford side that simply never stopped believing.
And from the BBC
Last updated on 25 September 202125 September 2021.From the section Premier League 3-3 Liverpool: Thomas Frank delighted with ‘fantastic’ performance
It was described as a “crazy game”, a “wild ride” and something Brentford could only dream of as the newly promoted side came from behind twice to draw with title-challengers Liverpool.
“That’s football,” Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said afterwards.
In a memorable and topsy-turvy encounter at the Brentford Community Stadium, the hosts scored a dramatic late equaliser to make it 3-3 after Curtis Jones looked to have sealed victory for Liverpool.
Former Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith was impressed, claiming on Sky Sports: “If Brentford can do this to Liverpool, they can do this to anyone.”https://emp.bbc.co.uk/emp/SMPj/2.43.13/iframe.htmlMatch of the Day analysis: How Brentford’s ‘perfect’ gameplan caused Liverpool problems
Brentford manager Thomas Frank said they “went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in Europe”.
His players did a lap of honour at full-time, the fans were singing long after the final whistle and Brentford goalscorer Vitaly Janelt was in disbelief.
Well. possibly against expectations the Bees wind their opener in the Premier League against one the big boys. A team as one of the articles noted who considered themselves big enough to be one of the original participants of the proposed Super League in Europe.
Well the evening was great; the atmosphere great, full stadium and with a solid win to boot.
An it would seem the game, the event and the whole positive feel of the win and Brentford making an impact has been appreciated and the emotional side noted.
At the end there was a lap of recognition, if you like, with the singing accompanying it.
An of course, now for a few moments, maybe, top of the table:
Only few hours to kick-off.
The club has only waited 74 years.
Happy and sad. A great event but sad as Peter did not quite last long enough to see it.
So the opening game is this Friday. Now all set to go. Nice lapel badge- this season with an added section!