Danish footballer Christian Eriksen is “awake” in hospital after collapsing on the pitch in Denmark’s Euro 2020 game against Finland on Saturday, the country’s football association said. The match that was suspended towards the end of the half resumed at midnight Indian time as Uefa said the decision to resume was made following requests from both teams.
Finland won the match 1-0, for their first ever victory at the European Championships finals.
The opening match of Group B had to be paused amid emotional scenes after Eriksen fell away from the action.
“Christian Eriksen is awake and his condition remains stable. He remains hospitalized at Rigshospitalet for further examination,” the Danish Football Union said on Twitter, after the player was carried off the field after receiving CPR by medical personnel.
According to AFP, DBU director Peter Moeller told Danmarks Radio (DR): “We’ve been in contact with him, and the players have spoken to Christian. That’s the great news. He’s doing fine, and they are playing the game for him.”
Towards the end of the first half Eriksen collapsed on the pitch in a Group B match in Copenhagaen, causing the suspension of the match. Later, Uefa issued an update that the player has been transferred to the hospital and has been stabilised.
He was carried off the field the Parken Stadium after receiving more than 10 minutes of treatment.
First update from Uefa:
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 19:45 CET. The player has been transferred to the hospital and has been stabilised.
Second update from Uefa:
Following the request made by players of both teams, Uefa has agreed to restart the match between Denmark and Finland. Five minutes will be played at the end of the first half. There will then be a 5-minute half-time break followed by the second half. The match had been suspended due to a medical emergency which involved Eriksen. The player in now in hospital and in a stable condition. Uefa wishes Eriksen a full and speedy recovery and wishes to thank both teams for their exemplary attitude. Match between Belgium and Russia will go ahead at 21:00 CET as planned.
Television pictures showed Danish players on the field in tears, while the Finland team also looked on with concern when medical staff treated the Inter Milan player. His teammates soon formed a huddle around him.
The previously raucous crowd at the Parken Stadium in the Danish capital fell silent after the 29-year-old fell to the ground. Eventually, Eriksen was stretchered off the field followed by the rest of the Denmark team, while Finland’s players also earlier left the pitch. Eriksen was given chest compressions, reported Associated Press.
Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and captain Simon Kjaer had to comfort Eriksen’s partner Sabrina Kvist Jensen by the side of the pitch, reported AFP.
The fans in the stadium, who were celebrating the chance to see their national team again live at the stadium, sat silently in their seats waiting for news of Eriksen’s condition to filter through.
However soon after stadium-wide chants of “Christian” and “Eriksen” from both sets of supporters began to ring out as his status began to filter through to supporters.
They were brought to their feet when stadium announcers said that Eriksen was “stable”.
Uefa president Aleksander Čeferin said in a statement: “Moments like this put everything in life into perspective. 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.”
When the match resumed, the Finland players and staff applauded the Danish team on to the pitch.
With AFP inputs
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!