Hero Denmark captain gave Christian Eriksen CPR after he collapsed on pitch – as star is in ‘stable condition’
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN is in a “stable” condition and “awake” in hospital after collapsing during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener with Finland.
The former Spurs midfielder, 29, received CPR as he was surrounded by distraught team-mates after falling to the floor in yesterday’s match.
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Medical staff raced onto the pitch to give emergency treatment to the Inter Milan ace as his team-mates formed a protective shield around him.
Denmark’s captain Simon Kjaer was hailed as a “hero” after placing Eriksen in the recovery position while unconscious and giving CPR to his friend before medics arrived.
Eriksen was seen conscious and sitting up on a stretcher while receiving oxygen as he was taken from the pitch just after 6pm.
It was reported that he had a Facetime call with his Denmark team-mates and asked them to play the remainder of the match as “he feels better now”.
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The shocking scenes happened towards the end of the first half of the teams’ opening Group B match, with Eriksen receiving 13 minutes of medical treatment.
Following the distressing incident the match was abandoned, but was restarted at 7.30PM (GMT), with Finland winning 1-0.
Danish football association the DBU confirmed that Eriksen is “awake” and “stable” in hospital and awaiting further medical examinations.
A DBU spokesman tweeted: “The match against Finland will be played tonight.
“This happens after the players have been confirmed that Christian is okay. The match resumes at 20.30 (CET).”
Eriksen’s agent Martin Schoots told radio station NPO Radio 1 that the Danish talisman “breathes and can speak. He is out of danger.”
A UEFA Euro 2020 spokesman tweeted earlier that Eriksen had been transferred to hospital and “has been stabilised”.
The spokesman tweeted: “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.”
England captain Harry Kane, who is close friends with former Spurs team-mate Eriksen, tweeted: “Chris. I’m sending all my love to you and your family. Stay strong mate.”
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin wished Eriksen a “full and speedy recovery”.
In a statement, the football chief said: “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.”
Moments like this put everything in life into perspective
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin
Denmark and Finland fans among the 16,000 crowd at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium chanted Eriksen’s name together before the match resumed.
Eriksen collapsed just before half-time as team-mate Joakim Maehle threw the ball to him.
English referee Anthony Taylor signalled immediately for medical staff to come onto the pitch after Eriksen collapsed.
Martin Braithwaite and Thomas Delaney then raced towards their team-mate, as Delaney gestured frantically for emergency medical help.
Eriksen’s distraught colleagues were left in tears as they looked in anxiously.
Shocked supporters watched in horror as Danish physios tended to the ex-Spurs star.
Eriksen was seen being stretchered from the pitch while conscious after emergency paramedics arrived.
PRAYERS FOR DANISH ACE
The midfielder’s wife, Sabrina Kvist Jensen, was seen in tears and being consoled by Danish players after she rushed down to the pitch.
UEFA announced the match was suspended due to a “medical emergency”.
BBC coverage of the game ended after the distressing scenes were shown to viewers across the country.
But viewers reacted with anger after the coverage didn’t cut away once Eriksen fell to the floor.
A BBC spokesman apologised for broadcasting the upsetting footage.
The spokesman said: “We apologise to anyone who was upset by the images broadcast.
“In-stadium coverage is controlled by Uefa as the host broadcaster, and as soon as the match was suspended, we took our coverage off air as quickly as possible.”
Both teams left the field with officials holding up sheets to hide Eriksen from view.
The stadium announcer told fans that the game had been suspended due to a medical emergency and told fans to stay in their seats.
There has been an outpouring of messages from wellwishers for Eriksen following yesterday evening’s distressing images.
Marcus Rashford tweeted a prayer and a Danish flag emoji.
‘THANK GOD’
Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle, who underwent eight minutes of CPR from hero Simon Daniels after suffering a heart attack in 2018, tweeted: “Thank God Christian is ok.
“And to those who did the CPR, it’s simple you saved his life as I know so well.
“God bless you Simon D. for what you did for me loving every minute of my Extra Time ! Stay strong Christian.”
A Spurs spokesman tweeted: “All of our thoughts are with Christian Eriksen and his family.”
Eriksen’s club, Inter Milan, tweeted: “Forza Chris, all of our thoughts are with you.”
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Fabrice Muamba, the former Bolton midfielder who collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during a televised FA Cup game in 2012, tweeted “Please God” following the incident.
Piers Morgan tweeted: “Hope & pray he’s OK.”
Former Spurs striker Gary Lineker, who was in the BBC studio for the match, tweeted: “Thank heavens. Some hope. Thoughts are with him and his family.”
