FOOTBALL
Eriksen ‘stable’ in hospital after pitch collapse shocks Euro finals
Christian Eriksen of Denmark goes down injured as team mates (L - R) Simon Kjaer, Andreas Christensen, Martin Braithwaite and Thomas Delaney call for assistance during the Euro 2020 Group B match between Denmark and Finland. (Photo by Getty Images)
COPENHAGEN, June 12, 2021 - The collapse on the pitch of Christian Eriksen at the Euro 2020 finals provided a shocking reminder of the line of perception which divides sporting entertainment from the often-agonising drama of the real world.
Denmark’s captain needed extensive treatment on the pitch at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen in a Group B tie against Nordic neighbours Finland.
Eriksen, 29, had been at the heart of the action in a goalless first half when he appeared to stumble and fall while running forward as a team-mate took a throw-in towards him in the 43rd minute.
Team-mates immediately summoned medical help and English referee Anthony Taylor halted the game. Both sets of players and officials were clearly distraught as Eriksen received CPR and defibrillator treatment on the pitch.
Taylor sent Finland back to the dressing rooms while the Danish players, some apparently praying, provided a shield around the stricken player. He was subsequently carried from the pitch on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask.
European federation UEFA later stated: "The player has been transferred to the hospital and has been stabilised." The Danish DBU said: "Christian Eriksen is awake and will undergo further examination."
Messages of concern and sympathy poured in from national associations and clubs including Eriksen’s own Internazionale with whom he recently celebrated title success in Italy’s Serie A.
Eriksen reportedly undertook a Facetime call with his team-mates to reassure them and urge them to complete the match. They did so but only for Finland to mark a first outing at a major tournament by winning 1-0. Joel Pohjanpalo scored the winner on the hour and keeper Lukas Hradecky saved a penalty from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
The Tottenham midfielder took the spotkick in the absence, of course, of Eriksen.
One of the most notable gestures of support for Eriksen was offered by his Inter club-mate Romelu Lukaku in Belgium’s later 3-0 Group B defeat of Russia. Lukaku opened the scoring after 10 minutes and shouted into the nearest camera: “Chris, Chris, I love you!”
Thomas Meunier and Lukaku again scored further goals for Belgium. The Red Devils were without injured Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard but were never troubled in underlining their status as the world’s top-ranked national team.
Earlier Switzerland wasted chances and possession in being held 1-1 by Wales in Baku in Group A. Breel Embolo and Kiefer Moore exchanged second-half goals.
Denmark’s captain needed extensive treatment on the pitch at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen in a Group B tie against Nordic neighbours Finland.
Eriksen, 29, had been at the heart of the action in a goalless first half when he appeared to stumble and fall while running forward as a team-mate took a throw-in towards him in the 43rd minute.
Team-mates immediately summoned medical help and English referee Anthony Taylor halted the game. Both sets of players and officials were clearly distraught as Eriksen received CPR and defibrillator treatment on the pitch.
Taylor sent Finland back to the dressing rooms while the Danish players, some apparently praying, provided a shield around the stricken player. He was subsequently carried from the pitch on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask.
European federation UEFA later stated: "The player has been transferred to the hospital and has been stabilised." The Danish DBU said: "Christian Eriksen is awake and will undergo further examination."
Messages of concern and sympathy poured in from national associations and clubs including Eriksen’s own Internazionale with whom he recently celebrated title success in Italy’s Serie A.
Eriksen reportedly undertook a Facetime call with his team-mates to reassure them and urge them to complete the match. They did so but only for Finland to mark a first outing at a major tournament by winning 1-0. Joel Pohjanpalo scored the winner on the hour and keeper Lukas Hradecky saved a penalty from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
The Tottenham midfielder took the spotkick in the absence, of course, of Eriksen.
One of the most notable gestures of support for Eriksen was offered by his Inter club-mate Romelu Lukaku in Belgium’s later 3-0 Group B defeat of Russia. Lukaku opened the scoring after 10 minutes and shouted into the nearest camera: “Chris, Chris, I love you!”
Thomas Meunier and Lukaku again scored further goals for Belgium. The Red Devils were without injured Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard but were never troubled in underlining their status as the world’s top-ranked national team.
Earlier Switzerland wasted chances and possession in being held 1-1 by Wales in Baku in Group A. Breel Embolo and Kiefer Moore exchanged second-half goals.
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