Euro Cup 2020: What happened to Christian Eriksen? How are other teams paying tribute to him?
Christian Eriksen, considered to be one of the all-time best players of Denmark, is recovering after going through a mishap on the pitch against Finland. It was just the second day of Euro Cup 2020 when the midfielder experienced a potentially life-threatening medical emergency, which has unleashed profuse expressions of concern across the football community and beyond.
Christian Eriksen’s Cardiac Arrest During The UEFA Euro Cup 2020 Match | Image source: dw.com
Thankfully, he is recovering well, but what exactly happened to Eriksen? Read on to know more.
During Denmark’s Euro 2020 opening match against Finland at Parken Stadium on June 12, 2021, Christian Eriksen suddenly collapsed, after a cardiac arrest. One of the doctors from the team of medical professionals, Morten Boesen, who came to Eriksen’s aid on the pitch, explained that he could have succumbed to the cardiac arrest, but fortunately, the team of doctors could bring him back with cardiac resuscitation. According to media reports, the doctors are still uncertain as to how close they were to losing him. But what matters is, they got him back with defibrillation, which is way faster than expected.
Why this happened, still remains a mystery. Given that Eriksen has had minimal injuries in his entire professional career. In fact, he has treated us to some glorious performances for Ajax, Tottenham, and Inter. The game was in its 42nd minute, when Eriksen suddenly stumbled and collapsed on the ground, lying motionless. Needless to say, this prompted immediate action.
Besides some players from Denmark and Finland, referee Anthony Tylor too observed the grievousness of the situation and called for medical assistance. It was quite heartening to see how the Danish players of Euro football 2020 formed a shield around him, while the medical team carried out CPR and tried to resuscitate him with a defibrillator. This gesture on the part of the soccer team earned generous praises as the entire world saw how they stood up for their friend who was in a bad place and gave him the privacy he needed at that moment, even though the situation was scary and heartbreaking for them.
About an hour after this incident at Euro Cup 2020, there was official confirmation of Eriksen’s condition stabilising. It was also confirmed that he was awake, recovering in the hospital. The match between Denmark and Finland came to a halt for approximately 90 minutes. Eventually, the encounter came to an end with the Finns emerging with a 1-0 victory. Few days following this unfortunate incident, Eriksen sent out a message of gratitude through his social media channels, and also reassured his fans who were worried for him.
Simon Kjaer’s Help to Eriksen
Simon Kjaer Lending Support To Sabrina, Erickson’s Partner | Image source: sportbible.com
Simon Kjaer indeed exemplified what presence of mind on field looks like, particularly in the case of a medical emergency. He gauged the severity of the situation in just a few moments, and immediately helped adjust his teammate’s body position which might have helped avert further injury.
Eventually, when the medical professionals and doctors got in action, Kjaer led the other players in forming a shield around the scene, which was a thoughtful gesture to preserve their friend’s dignity. Besides, Kjaer along with goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and few others, consoled Eriksen’s Sabrina Kvist Jensen, who was visibly devastated by the incident.
As They Say, The Show Must Go On!
Apparently, players from both the teams requested the UEFA Euro Cup 2020 to continue the game, despite the medical emergency. According to the head coach of Denmark Kasper Hjulmand, the match could either continue on the same day or would have been postponed to the following day. However, going by the statement of former Demark star Peter Schmeichel, father of Kasper, his country was given an ultimatum of either playing the game or accepting a 3-0 defeat.
Hjulmand eventually expressed in a press conference that this decision was a very tough one, given that the incident was life-threatening and the team could have lost their best friend. He further added that he was proud of the way the world responded to this episode. He feels that though it’s mostly about money, this incident truly demonstrated what football is all about- compassion and love.
Will Eriksen Return To The Field Again?
Eriksen’s recovery selfie for fans | image source: dailymail.co.uk
Post this incident at the UEFA Euro 2020, whether Christian Eriksen will be able to play competitive football again, is a question that football enthusiasts all across the world are grappling with. Having suffered from a cardiac emergency, he was fitted with a heart-starting device known as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Patients of cardiac attack suffer from rhythmic disturbances, which makes this device highly crucial.
Specialists, both nationally and internationally, have recommended the same treatment, and Christian Eriksen has accepted it. Not known to many, former Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba had also suffered from an on-pitch cardiac arrest and had to retire thereafter. Former Stuttgarter Kickers player Daniel Engelbrecht also had to undergo the same fate, while on the other hand, Netherlands international Daley Blind continued his stint on the field, despite being fitted with an ICD in 2019.
How Other Teams Played Tribute
Fan’s supporting Erickson with ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ Anthem | Image source: givemesport.com
While Eriksen was recovering in a hospital in the Danish capital, at a distance of not more than a few hundred yards from the Parken stadium, a unique tribute was paid to him during the match. It began in the form of an emotional serenade for Eriksen, which brought together both sets of fans for a rendition of terrace anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
This was complemented by yet another thoughtful gesture at Euro Cup 2020, wherein a pre-match message of support for Eriksen was paraded on the field, in the form of a giant version of his No. 10 jersey. Simon Kajaer was seen in a signed shirt with Eriksen’s name, number and “Good Recovery” on the back.
The match, in its very starting moments, also witnessed a glorious goal by Poulsen, and amidst celebrations of the home crowd, a planned tribute for Eriksen was executed. Just as the match clock showed 10 minutes, the same number that Eriksen sports on his jersey, the ball was kicked out of play. Following this, players from Denmark and Belgium led the fans inside the stadium. There was an emotional round of applause for Christian Eriksen.
The Parken stands lit up with a variety of banners and flags dedicated to Eriksen, including one that read, “The whole of Denmark is with you, Christian”. Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, who plays alongside Eriksen at Inter Milan, dedicated his opening goal against Russia to his teammate. His shout “Chris, I love you” down the camera lens will surely go down the history of football as one of the most touching moments!
Let’s all keep our fingers crossed and pray for Eriksen’s quick recovery, so that he springs back to action on field soon, not only for Euro Cup football, but beyond! To know more about Euro Cup 2020, visit Fun88 India for all sports betting action!