COPENHAGEN — Christian Eriksen’s heart stopped and he “Was Gone” before being resuscitated with a defibrillator during the European Championship, according to Denmark’s team doctor.
Eriksen passed out during Denmark’s first Euro 2020 group game against Finland on Saturday, requiring extensive medical attention before regaining consciousness.
Eriksen was in a stable condition in a Copenhagen hospital on Sunday, according to team officials, and had communicated with teammates through video links.
The cause of the midfielder’s fall, according to Boesen, is yet unknown.
Eriksen, 29, may not have lived if the game had not been played at a big soccer event with top-of-the-line medical technology on standby, according to him.
Eriksen, according to Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand, was more concerned about his colleagues’ well-being than his own when he spoke with him.
As they processed the events, crisis management support was provided to the Danish players and team staff. Late in the first half, Eriksen went face-forward on the ground, and his teammates formed a protective circle around him as doctors treated him.
Denmark postponed a planned training session on Sunday, but Hjulmand stated that the team will aim to resume normal operations on Monday. He reiterated that the players are focused on finishing the tournament, which begins on Thursday with Denmark taking on Belgium in Group B.
Many in Denmark, notably former players Peter Schmeichel and Michael Laudrup, have slammed the decision to replay the game on Saturday.
Denmark was given the option of continuing the game at noon on Sunday, but the players chose to finish it on Saturday evening instead. Finland’s second group game is on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Russia, therefore a later date was not conceivable.
“In hindsight, I wonder whether there was anything I could have done differently,” Hjulmand remarked. “Because, in retrospect, I honestly don’t believe we should have returned to the field. I’m very proud of the players for rallying and giving it a go. It took a tremendous amount of effort. But I feel bad about the fact that we went back out there.”