Euro 2020: Denmark coach emotional over 'traumatic' Christian Eriksen collapse

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Euro 2020: Denmark Coach Emotional Over 'Traumatic' Christian Eriksen Collapse
Kasper Hjulmand, head coach of Denmark looks on as Christian Eriksen receives medical treatment. Photo: Getty Images.
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Finland beat Denmark 1-0 in their Euro 2020 game after the meeting was earlier paused following the collapse of player Christian Eriksen.

The game restarted at 7.30pm Irish time after it was confirmed Eriksen was awake and stabilised in hospital.

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The Denmark midfielder collapsed on the pitch of the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen shortly before half-time, leaving players from both teams in clear distress.

Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand was in tears at the post-match press conference, admitting it had been a traumatic experience for everyone.

He said: “It was a really tough evening, on 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.”

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'Traumatic experience'

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

Although they were beaten 1-0 by their Nordic rivals, Hjulmand said: “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.”

UEFA said earlier on Saturday evening that the Group B fixture would continue at the request of players from both teams.

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Finland secured a goal into the restarted second-half of the game, which began with both sides scoreless.

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Ahead of the game restarting, Denmark’s opponents 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.”

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Awake and stabilised

Earlier, UEFA said Eriksen had been transferred to hospital and stabilised.

Denmark also tweeted an update which read: “Christian Eriksen is awake and is (set) for further examinations at Rigshospitalet (hospital).”

The Inter Milan player received CPR on the pitch after collapsing during the game in Copenhagen.

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

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

A tweet from UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, said the match had been suspended due to a medical emergency.

Fabrice Muamba, the former Bolton midfielder who collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during a televised FA Cup game in 2012, has responded to the news of Eriksen’s collapse.

“Please God,” he tweeted.

Eriksen’s former club, Tottenham, tweeted: “All of our thoughts are with Christian Eriksen and his family.”

The player left Tottenham for Inter Milan in 2020 after seven years with the club.

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Inter Milan also tweeted a message of support with a praying hands emoji. It said: “Forza Chris, all of our thoughts are with you!”

Dozens of current and former players have posted messages of support for Eriksen, including his Inter Milan team-mate Achraf Hakimi.

“Eriksen Please,” tweeted the Moroccan international.

Others posting similar tweets for the Denmark midfielder include former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and Manchester United’s former right-back Gary Neville, as well as current England and Aston Villa forward Jack Grealish.

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