Denmark’s Christian Eriksen awake, stable after collapsing on field; Euro match will resume Saturday night
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A Euro 2020 match between Denmark and Finland was temporarily suspended after Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field and received treatment.
UEFA said in a statement that Eriksen was transferred to a hospital and has been stabilized, while the Denmark FA added that he was awake and undergoing further examinations.
UEFA added that play would resume later on Saturday, “following the request made by players of both teams.” Five minutes at the end of the first half will be played, followed by a five-minute half-time break, then the second half.
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“Moments like this put everything in life into perspective,” UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin 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.”
Finland won the match, 1-0, on a 59th minute goal from Finnish striker Joel Pohjanpalo.
Eriksen had been walking near the sideline during the 43rd minute during a throw-in when he appeared to stagger and then fall forward to the pitch. Upon seeing Eriksen collapse, some teammates called and gestured to trainers on the sideline to rush in for assistance. Referee Anthony Taylor immediately blew the whistle and stopped play.
Some players looked visibly upset and in tears as trainers appeared to perform chest compressions and CPR on Eriksen as he lay on the turf. Players formed a circle to block out cameras and offer privacy as Eriksen received treatment. Medics spent about 10 minutes treating Eriksen on the field.
Shortly after that, ESPN’s cameras cut away as trainers further treated Eriksen, who was eventually taken off the field on a stretcher to an ovation from the crowd in attendance.
Danish soccer federation director Peter Moeller said Eriksen got a “heart massage” while being treated on the field.
Moeller told Danish public broadcaster DR that Eriksen “fell over and got help and a heart massage on the field. He was fortunately awake when he left stadium.”
Moeller added that he had been in contact with Eriksen and that Eriksen gave his blessing for the match to continue.
While Eriksen received treatment, Finland’s players huddled around their bench before they eventually walked off the field.
UEFA announced that the Group B match, being played at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, was being suspended due to a medical emergency. It was a scoreless draw at the time that play was suspended and the match was halted for about an hour and a half.
UEFA also announced that Saturday’s other Group B match between Belgium and Russia taking place in St. Petersburg, Russia, would go on as scheduled. During that match, Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku scored a goal in the 10th minute and went up to a camera, where he said: “Chris, Chris, I love you.”
Eriksen, 29, has made more than 100 appearances for the Danish national team and plays for Inter Milan, the current Italian champions. Lukaku is one of Eriksen’s teammates on Inter Milan.
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Denmark’s Christian Eriksen awake, stable after collapsing on field at Euro 2020