Midfielder Christian Eriksen is “awake and in hospital” after collapsing while playing for Denmark against Finland at the European Championship in Copenhagen.
Eriksen has regained consciousness in the hospital, officials say, after collapsing during his side’s European Championship match with Finland and being given CPR on the pitch.
Eriksen collapsed suddenly in the 42nd minute of the match while running near the left touchline after a Denmark throw-in.
As a hush fell over the 16,000-strong crowd, his teammates formed a ring around him as medics pumped his chest.
The Danish football association (DBU) tweeted that Eriksen was “awake and at Rigshospitalet for further examinations”.
The game was initially suspended but later resumed, with Finland going on to win 1-0 with a goal from Joel Pohjanpalo.
“We have been in contact with him and the players have spoken to Christian,” the DBU’s Peter Moller said.
“He is doing well and they are playing the match for Christian.”
The game was scoreless when Eriksen, 29, who plays club football for Inter Milan in Italy, collapsed just before halftime of Saturday’s Group B clash.
Teammates Martin Braithwaite and Thomas Delaney rushed to assist him, with Delaney beckoning furiously for medical assistance.
People gathered outside bars in central Copenhagen, many in tears, in the long period when Eriksen’s condition remained unclear.
The teams subsequently left the field with officials holding up sheets to hide the stricken player from view, and the stadium announcer told fans the game had been suspended due to a medical emergency.
The crowd at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen sang the national anthem and chanted the player’s name while they were waiting for news.
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo was one of several players to express concern at the unfolding events.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Christian Eriksen and his family,” Ronaldo said on Instagram.
“The world of football stands together hoping for good news. I’m counting on finding you soon back on the pitch, Chris! Stay strong!”.
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, a teammate of Eriksen’s at Inter Milan in Italy, ran to a TV camera and shouted “Chris, Chris, I love you” after scoring in his side’s opening match against Russia later in the day.
© AAP
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