Sports

Denmark’s Christian Eriksen Stable After Collapsing, Receiving CPR In Euro 2020 Game With Finland (pics)

Christian Eriksen receives CPR after collapsing at Euro 2020
Christian Eriksen

Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen was stable in a hospital after collapsing on the field during the Euro 2020 opener with Finland in Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium on Saturday.

“I just spoke to Christian’s father, and he told me that he is breathing, and that he is able to speak,” Eriksen’s agent, Martin Schoots, told Dutch radio.

Eriksen was walking toward the sideline and was clearly struggling to make his way across. As the ball was thrown in his direction, it hit him and he fell to the ground. Teammates Martin Braithwaite and Thomas Delaney rushed to assist him, with Delaney beckoning furiously for medical assistance.

Medics ran onto the field to help the Inter Milan midfielder as he lay on the ground with his Denmark teammates in clear distress.

Christian Eriksen collapsed and the stadium fell silent in horror | Christian  Eriksen | The Guardian
Worried teammates

Eriksen received medical attention on the field for about 10 minutes, with players from both sides looking on with concern as CPR was administered. The match was suspended because of the medical emergency on 42 minutes with the score at 0-0.

Denmark confirmed in a statement that Eriksen had been taken to a Copenhagen hospital for further examination.

“Following the medical emergency involving Denmark’s player Christian Eriksen, a crisis meeting has taken place with both teams and match officials and further information will be communicated at 7:45 p.m. CET (1:45 p.m. ET),” a UEFA statement read. “The player has been transferred to the hospital and has been stabilised.”

Fans remained in the stadium and engaged in chants of “Christian” and “Eriksen” before UEFA announced the match would be continued later on Saturday.

“Following the request made by players of both teams, UEFA has agreed to restart the match between Denmark and Finland tonight at 8:30 p.m. CET (2:30 p.m. ET),” a later UEFA statement read. “The last four minutes of the first half will be played, there will then be a five-minute half-time break followed by the second half.”

Denmark players escort Christian Eriksen from the field after his collapse.FRIEDEMANN VOGEL/AFP via Getty Images

“Moments like this put everything in life into perspective,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement. “I wish Christian a full and speedy recovery and pray his family has strength and faith.

“At these times, the unity of the football family is so strong and he and his family carry with them the good wishes and prayers of everyone. I heard of fans of both teams chanting his name. Football is beautiful and Christian plays it beautifully.”

The match eventually restarted with Finland — making their debut at a major tournament — winning 1-0 through Joel Pohjanpalo’s 59th-minute goal. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg missed a penalty for Denmark on 74 minutes. Eriksen was named man of the match.

Eriksen’s Inter teammate Romelu Lukaku celebrated putting Belgium 1-0 up against Russia later on Saturday by saying: “Chris, Chris, I love you” into the cameras.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *