Denmark star Christian Eriksen revived on field after Euro 2020 collapse

A team doctor has described the moment he realised Christian Eriksen had to be revived in front of stunned players and fans.

Denmark players help Christian Eriksen after his collapse during the EURO 2020 Group B football match against Finland. Picture: AFP

Denmark’s team doctor described the harrowing moment he realised Christian Eriksen’s pulse had stopped as medics worked desperately to save him in front of traumatised players and a stunned crowd on Saturday.

Medics gave the Inter Milan midfielder CPR on the pitch after he collapsed during the Euro 2020 match against Finland in Copenhagen and he was later said to be “awake” in hospital and his condition had stabilised.

“We were called on the pitch when Christian fell down, I didn’t see myself but it was pretty clear he was unconscious,” doctor Martin Boesen told a post-match media conference.

“When I get to him, he’s on his side. He is breathing and I can see pulse but suddenly that changes, and as everyone saw we started giving him CPR.

“The help came really, really fast from the medical team and the rest of the staff, and with their co-operation we did what we did to do. We managed to get Christan back.” Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand heaped praise on his team after they returned to the field to complete the match after many were visibly distraught at Eriksen’s plight.

Denmark eventually lost their opening Group B game 1-0.

“Everyone agreed to play, and what we tried to do was incredible,” said an emotional Hjulmand.

“We have a group of players I can’t praise enough. I couldn’t be prouder of these people who take such good care of each other.

“They decide first of all not to do anything until we were sure that Christian was conscious, and that everything was OK.

“So we had two options, either finish the game tonight or play tomorrow at midday. Everyone agreed on playing today... The fact that the players tried to play the second and dominate... I’m very affected.

“All our thoughts and prayers are to Christian and his family right now. He’s one of the best players there is and he’s an even better person.”

After Eriksen was carried off, a crisis meeting was held with both teams and match officials over whether to restart the game and the players resumed the game at 8.30pm, finishing the final minutes of the first half.

The match was poised at 0-0 at halftime.

A screen in the stadium displays information on Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen. Picture: AFP

The previously raucous crowd at the Parken Stadium in the Danish capital fell silent in gut-wrenching scenes as the other Danish players, mainly clearly distraught, formed a circle of red shirts around him to stop anyone from seeing the on-pitch treatment.

Many supporters were also in tears.

“I don’t know how I feel. He’s such a national treasure. He’s like your best friend,” Denmark fan Rasmus Ottosen, 34, said.

“I could look down and see him get the treatment. Everyone was like, ‘I can’t look at this’.”

Christian Eriksen of Denmark (right) battles for possession with Jere Uronen of Finland before his collapse. Picture: Getty Images

Denmark midfielder Thomas Delaney reacts as Christian Eriksen is attended to by medics. Picture: AFP

Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and captain Simon Kjaer had to comfort Eriksen’s stricken partner Sabrina Kvist Jensen by the side of the pitch. After around 15 minutes Eriksen was stretchered off the field followed by the rest of the Denmark team, while Finland’s players also walked off.

The fans in the stadium, who were celebrating the chance to see their national team again live at the stadium, sat silently in their seats waiting for news of Eriksen’s condition.

However soon after stadium-wide chants of “Christian” and “Eriksen” from both sets of supporters began to ring out as news of his status began to filter through to supporters.

Denmark defender Simon Kjaer (left) checks on Christian Eriksen as paramedics carry him from the field. Picture: AFP

They were brought to their feet when stadium announcers said that Eriksen was “stable”, and the ground rose as one when to was announced that the teams would come out to finish the match.

A huddle among Finland’s players were loudly applauded by all four sides of the stadium before both teams began their warm ups before restarting the match.

However some fans did not agree with the decision to play.

Gustav Schoendorff, 19, saying “It’s so bad. It’s ethically wrong they should start tomorrow instead”.

Finland won 1-0 following a 59th-minute goal from Joel Pohjanpalo.

— AFP