Christian Eriksen is 'the heart and heartbeat' of the Denmark side, insists manager Kasper Hjulmand - as he says it's 'great' to have the Man United star back for the World Cup after his collapse on the pitch at Euro 2020
- Denmark kick-off their Qatar World Cup campaign against Tunisia on Tuesday
- Simon Kjaer's decisive actions last summer helped save Christian Eriksen's life
- The Milan defender says his side love having the Man United star 'by our side'
- Kasper Hjulmand said Eriksen was a 'fantastic' player but an 'even better person'
- Tunisia manager Jalel Kadri's side have been working 'hard' for two years now
- Follow Sportsmail's LIVE World Cup blog for all the latest updates from Qatar
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Denmark will be spurred on by the presence of their 'heartbeat' Christian Eriksen when they play their opening World Cup match against Tunisia on Tuesday.
The Manchester United midfielder is set to take his place in the Denmark side 17 months after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch during the European Championship.
Denmark captain Simon Kjaer, whose quick reactions last June helped save Eriksen's life, told a pre-match press conference: 'I think Christian with his qualities says everything.
![Denmark captain Simon Kjaer claimed that Christian Eriksen is among 'the best I've ever seen'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/11/64771357-11452493-image-a-38_1669031112268.jpg)
Denmark captain Simon Kjaer claimed that Christian Eriksen is among 'the best I've ever seen'
'We are all happy and thankful after what happened but as a football player he's probably one of the best I've ever seen in terms of quality, love for the game and just hanging around with the boys.
'He appreciated (it) maybe more than us. We love having Christian by our side and every minute he plays, it's only a plus for Denmark.'
Manager Kasper Hjulmand added: 'Before the Euros, before everything happened with Christian, I said he was the heart and the heartbeat of the team.
![The Manchester United midfielder has been one of his side's more consistent performers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/11/64771359-11452493-image-a-39_1669031140067.jpg)
The Manchester United midfielder has been one of his side's more consistent performers
![Kjaer was praised for his actions last summer after Eriksen collapsed on the pitch at Euro 2020](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/11/64771501-11452493-image-a-43_1669031506958.jpg)
Kjaer was praised for his actions last summer after Eriksen collapsed on the pitch at Euro 2020
'When he plays he has a fantastic way of taking decision of the rhythm of the game, feeling the game and controlling the game with his passing, with his intelligence, with his vision and also his work ethic.
'It's great to have Christian back and also the person. He's a fantastic player but he's an even better person.'
![Manager Kasper Hjulmand said that Eriksen is his side's heartbeat in summer 2021](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/11/64771353-11452493-image-a-41_1669031237653.jpg)
Manager Kasper Hjulmand said that Eriksen is his side's heartbeat in summer 2021
Denmark are ranked 10th in the world to Tunisia's 30th, with the African nation having only managed two victories in their five previous World Cup appearances.
Hjulmand said: 'I have respect for Tunisian football. I know how passionate it is and how big football is in Tunisia. We know the players very well, we've followed their campaign and the big emotions and also the quality they have.
'We know they will be superior off the pitch in the stands, there will be a lot of Tunisian spectators, and we hope we can show we are the better team on the pitch.'
Tunisia have shown some good form in recent months and boss Jalel Kadri hopes his side can put on a good display.
'We have been working hard for two years now, we have achieved our first goal, being capable of participating in this edition of the World Cup and representing all Arabs,' he said. 'We have scored highly and we deserve to be here.'
While attention in Europe has focused on Qatar's human rights record, for Kadri it is a source of pride to have a World Cup in the region.
'I'd like to take the chance to say a very big thank you to the hosting country,' he said. 'We saw the extent to which everything was really well organised yesterday. It's made all Arabs feel proud.'
![Jalel Kadri claimed the organisation of the World Cup has made 'all Arabs feel proud'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/11/64771429-11452493-image-a-42_1669031292915.jpg)
Jalel Kadri claimed the organisation of the World Cup has made 'all Arabs feel proud'
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/02/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png)
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- Montenegro fans create distraction from football with fireworks
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over