‘_Always the bridesmaid, never the bride’_ as the saying goes, could have been written about West Ham’s Danish goalkeeper [**Mads Hermansen’s**](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-keeper-stakes-his-claim-hermansen-makes-strong-case-for-united-clash/) international career before last night. Evergreen Kaspar Schmeichel looked as if he was near going to give Hermansen the opportunity to step up until a shoulder injury forced the ex Leicester City stopper to step back from football – probably for good.
Hermansen, the perennial number two, finally got his chance last night in the World Cup semi final playoff between Denmark and North Macedonia- and all went swimmingly for West Ham’s number one who came through with flying colours in his sides’ 4 – 0 rout of their opponents. According to Danish news source [Berlinsgke.de:](https://www.berlingske.dk/indland/berlingske-giver-karakterer-to-danskere-straalede-i-storsejr?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqdD7IP6Qp1PU17wJ8OztkcURFs-Hhtsx2PIRi4b--WloOH0bXvap_eAhku6d4M%3D&gaa_ts=69c5d194&gaa_sig=cvJ3r_71ldnKcAKEoCAe8__ASndBP8Pk2ATDki9NFyCBfvWglqwo6KfyqeTjenWXqDCgNQq4YKO37jNn3wlXRQ%3D%3D)
_“He was incredibly secure with his feet, acting almost as an extra playmaker in the build-up phase. He radiates a calmness and authority that spreads to the rest of the defence. A very solid performance where he stayed focused despite the lack of direct threats”_
After the mistake whilst on club duty that allowed Aston Villa in for their second goal at ‘Villa Park last weekend, Hermansen must have been hugely relieved to mark a debut with a clean sheet and very little to do. Indeed, the Dane was called on just once to make a save:
_“He didn’t have much to do for long periods_, the Danish news outlet concedes, “_but he delivered exactly what was expected.”_
Hermansens’ footwork and ability to recycle the ball quickly from the back has already been seen as a huge advance at West Ham – often the ball is passed straight back to the midfield. Now it seems his reputation as an’ extra playmaker’ is spreading to the international arena too.
Pleased for him, and from a West Ham perspective, there must be a spring in his step today.