Teenage Dreams

Article by Luke Massey (@lukemassey)

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When Denmark lined up against the host nation at the Euro U21 Championships on Wednesday, the eyes of scouts from across the globe were fixed firmly on Viktor Fisher. Fisher is another in a long line of success stories from the Ajax academy and had already received interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea before his hamstring injury in February 2014. Expectations haven’t been dampened since the injury and his coaches and ex players have talked up Victor’s ability and potential. Current Ajax coach Frank de Boer descried him as a “huge talent”. His old youth team coach Per Anderson said “without comparing Viktor to Messi and Ronaldo, he’s that type of player” and the ex-Ajax and Denmark striker stated “He has the capacity to one day be among the best three players in the world”. The highest of high praise for the 21 year old winger.

Denmark came into the game undefeated under current coach Jess Thorup, who took over in 2013, but started with a very shaky first half. The hosts looked in complete control, scoring with a wonderful goal in the 35th minute from outside the box from Spata Prague’s P. Kaderabek and would have doubled their lead before the break if it were not for a great double save by the F.C Copenhagen Keeper, Busk (a name all keepers should possess in my opinion).

Pinoe Sisto grabs the winner

A second goal from the hosts nearly came in the 52nd minute, but keeper Busk seemed to have the shot covered as it swung wide. From now on, Denmark seemed to settle into the game and dominated the midfield with relative ease, pushing the Czech’s further back towards their own goal line. Werder Bremen defender, J. Vestergaard scored his fourth goal for the U-21’s after staying up from a corner which wasn’t properly cleared. Vestergaard headed the ball down causing it to bounce over the keeper. After the goal Viktor Fisher, who was disappointing and anonymous, was substituted for Pinone Sisto. Six weeks ago Pinone was only able to dream about appearing in this tournament. Despite living in Denmark since he was two months old and being a Danish citizen, he only received official dispensation from FIFA on May 8th, granting him the ability to immediately suit up for Denmark without waiting the obligatory 5 years following his 18th Birthday.

Sisto might not have been on anyone's list of players to watch out for, or not on the thoughts of scouts from the richest clubs in world football, like Real Madrid, PSG or Manchester City (although there has been hushed whispers that scouts from Milan and Arsenal are keeping an eye on the Midtjylland midfielder). Never the less, Sisto came on the field with a determination of a young man who might have had his dream of representing his country ripped away from him. When he came on the field he gave it everything he had, instantly making an impression, worrying the Czech defenders and looking better than the much praised Ajax ‘wonderkid’ Viktor Fisher.

In the 84th minute the number 23 was rewarded with his hard work when, on his competitive debut, he sprung on to a loose ball in the box and knocked in his nations winner. As the full-time whistle echoed round the Eden Stadium in Prague, Pinoe Sisto looked like a young man who had run more in 30 mins than most had in 90. Because he had. If six weeks ago Sisto was too scared to dream of representing his country for the fear it would be taken away from him, then on Wednesday night he went to bed knowing that not only did he make his competitive debut for the under 21’s, but scored the winning goal. Tonight he might dream of lifting the trophy on June 30th in Prague. Who could blame him? Pinoe Sisto is living his dream.