Denmark hockey star admits Trump’s push for Greenland mentioned in locker room earlier than big USA showdown
When the United States and Denmark meet on the ice in Milan for their men’s hockey match at the Winter Olympics, there will be a heated political undercurrent to the proceedings.
It’s the second match for both teams at the games – with America beating Latvia 5-1 and Denmark losing to Germany 3-1.
But there will be an added tension in the air due to recent threats from President Donald Trump to take the Danish territory of Greenland for his own – whether by purchase or by force.
Trump’s desire to take the second-largest island in the world is not only drawing international condemnation, it’s not even a popular idea in his own country.
Just yesterday, results from a poll conducted by AP-NORC found that 72 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Greenland issue – including disapproval from 48 percent of Republicans.
While most Danish players have avoided speaking on the subject in the run-up to this contest, Denmark star and Stanley Cup winner Lars Eller has admitted it is a topic of discussion inside the locker room.
Denmark’s Lars Eller admits that the issue of America taking Greenland has been discussed
The United States and Denmark will face off on Olympic ice in Milan on Saturday evening
It comes amid President Trump’s unpopular push to make Greenland a US territory
The juggernaut Team USA is among the favorites to win a medal at these Olympic games
‘It has come up a lot,’ he said. ‘People ask, “Is it the same message over there in the U.S. as it is in Denmark? What is going on, what are they saying, how do they view things?”
‘But I think you can have a good conversation and dialogue, reasonable, with most people. At least, I have. Anyway, it seems to have settled down here the last little bit.’
Eller also referred to the issue as ‘outside noise’ – which is, to say, an external distraction from the team’s goal of competing well.
‘We’re not used to being in the news that much,’ Eller said with a laugh. ‘I feel like every week, there’s something new, and whatever was in the news last week is forgotten quickly and we move on.
‘I don’t think it’s on our minds, what’s going on politically in the world.’
The United States hockey team are heavily expected to beat Denmark and are overall favorites – along with Canada – to fight for a gold medal.
