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Christian Eriksen: Denmark midfielder ‘stabilised’ after collapsing during Euro 2020 opener against Finland

Christian Eriksen is “awake” and undergoing tests in hospital after collapsing on the pitch as Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 match against Finland was temporarily suspended just before half-time.

The 29-year-old’s condition has been “stabilised”, according to tournament organisers UEFA.

“Eriksen is awake and his condition remains stable,” the Danish FA later said. “He remains hospitalised at Rigshospitalet for further examinations.”

UEFA confirmed the Group B match had been halted due to a “medical emergency” after Eriksen, 29, dropped to the ground at the Parken Stadium shortly before half-time, leaving players from both teams in clear distress.

English referee Anthony Taylor called medics on to the pitch and Eriksen underwent prolonged treatment, including CPR.

Team-mates formed a shield around the former Tottenham player, while fans inside the stadium were clearly stunned by the incident, with some pictured in tears.

UEFA confirmed the match, which originally kicked off at 5pm UK time, would restart at 7.30pm at the request of players from both teams.

A statement read: “Following the request made by players of both teams, UEFA has agreed to restart the match between Denmark and Finland tonight at 20:30 CET.

“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.”

Finland won the game 1-0 after it was resumed, with Joel Pohjanpalo heading home the only goal on the hour mark.

Denmark had the opportunity to level the score 12 minutes later but Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had his penalty saved by Lukas Hradecky.

The Danish FA (DBU) confirmed crisis support will be offered to the players, Eriksen’s family and the staff working with their men’s national team.

Denmark’s team doctor Morten Boesen said: “We were called on the field when Christian fell over. I did not even get to see it, but it quickly became clear that he was not conscious.

“When we got there, he was lying on his side and was breathing and had a pulse. Pretty quickly, the picture changed, and then we started life-saving heart treatment.

“We also got fantastic quick help from the stadium doctor and the rest of the emergency services, and we got the necessary measures implemented.

“We got Christian back, and he managed to talk to me before he was taken to the hospital for further investigation and examination.”
The Finnish national team wrote on Twitter: “The thoughts of the Finnish men’s national team, the Finnish Football Association and the Finnish football family are with Eriksen, his relatives and the Danish team.”

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added: “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.”

Eriksen’s club, Inter, tweeted: “Forza Chris, all of our thoughts are with you.”

Former team Tottenham said: “Get well soon, Christian. The whole Spurs family is with you.”

Eriksen’s Inter team-mate Romelu Lukaku paid tribute to the midfielder after he scored for Belgium against Russia in Saturday evening’s other Euro 2020 match.

He said to the pitchside camera: “Chris, I love you” after he scored in the Group B clash.

Tearful Hjulmand: A traumatic experience for us all
Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand was in tears as he addressed the media after their game with Finland, admitting it had been a traumatic experience for everyone.

Hjulmand said: “It was a really tough evening, one which we’ve all been reminded what the most important things in life are. It’s meaningful relationships. It’s those people who are close to us. It’s family and friends.

“Everything, everything, everything – all thoughts are with Christian and his family.

After the match had initially been suspended following the incident, the Denmark players decided they were happy to continue having received encouraging news about Eriksen’s condition.

Although they were beaten 1-0, Hjulmand added: “I could not be more proud of this team, who take good care of each other.

“There are players in there who are completely emotionally finished. Players who on another day could not have played this match. They are holding each other. It was a traumatic experience.”

‘Eriksen had no history of heart concerns’
Despite being given life-saving heart treatment on the pitch, Christian Eriksen had no prior heart issues during his time with Tottenham, his former cardiologist has said.

Dr Sanjay Sharma of St. George’s University of London said the Dane had returned normal tests since joining the club in 2013 before leaving for Inter Milan in 2019.

“This guy had normal tests all the way up to 2019 so clearly something went terribly wrong,” Dr Sharma said.

“They managed to get him back, the question is what happened? And why did it happen?”

Sharma, who chairs the FA’s expert cardiac consensus group and is a consultant for charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), said there were multiple reasons why Eriksen could have collapsed, such as high temperatures or an unidentified condition.

But he said reports Eriksen was awake in hospital was “a very good sign”.

“I’m very pleased. The fact he’s stable and awake, his outlook is going to be very good,” he added.Follow all bets and predictions for Football at bet expert.

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