Christian Eriksen, the star of the Danish National Soccer Team, collapsed on the field during their game versus Finland. In the 43rd minute, Eriksen can be seen struggling to stay on his feet before he collapsed. Medics rushed out to tend to him, while other members of the Danish team formed a circle around their star player. CPR was performed as on-lookers watched with horror.
He was tended to on the field for 10 minutes before being taken off the field.
Christian Eriksen in Stable Condition
UEFA released a statement with some good news for soccer fans around the world:
Eriksen, a 29-year-old star for Inter Milan in Serie A, is the most important player in the Danish squad. He controls the midfield, while picking apart the defense from afar.
However, none of that matters at this time. As the statement read, he is in stable condition and has been taken to a hospital. The match had already been suspended, and UEFA will announce more in a couple of hours. Hats off to the medical staff, who may have indeed saved Eriksen’s life. While it seems all is heading in a good direction right now, we are not out of the woods, yet.
Thoughts and prayers out to Christian Eriksen, his family, his teammates, and everyone in the soccer world.
Update: Match To Resume at 2:30 PM ET
In light of the events that happened this afternoon, no one would blame Denmark or Finland if they collectively decided to cancel the match. However, with reports of Eriksen being stable and awake in the hospital, the match will resume at 2:30 PM ET. Instead of a normal half-time, the teams will take a five minute break between halves. The match will resume, but it’s pretty clear the player’s minds will be elsewhere.
Kasper Schmeichel & Simon Kjær
Two members of the Danish national team need to be recognized, as their heroics may have saved Eriksen’s life. Both rushed Eriksen and were the the first on the scene. Kjær made sure to clear Eriksen’s airways, while Schmeicel positioned him so that CPR could quickly be performed. Both screamed for medics as well, and were the two who started the forming of the circle around the Danish Star. Both men also went to console Eriksen’s wife when she came to the touchline, and was visibly horrified. Schmeichel, is a great keeper and a great captain. He was also the first man on the scene in the 2018 helicopter crash that killed Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. A hell of a player, an even better human being.