UEFA suspended the Euro 2021 Group B match between Denmark and Finland after a medical emergency involving Denmark’s Christian Eriksen.
The UEFA EURO 2020 match in Copenhagen has been suspended due to a medical emergency.
— UEFA (@UEFA) June 12, 2021
There was silence at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark just before halftime when star midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed to the ground after taking a touch on a throw-in. Team medical staff raced to tend to the playmaker after his teammates motioned frantically for help. There was no contact with opposition players before he fell to the ground. (Footage of the incident is graphic and disturbing.)
As the medics tended to Eriksen for more than 10 minutes, his Denmark teammates formed a circle around him to block cameras from showing the scenes. From the video available it appeared that the medical intervention involved the administering of chest compressions. An image credited to Getty Images shows an alert Eriksen as he is being stretchered off the field.
Getty Images official picture. Christian Eriksen seems conscious. All prayers and thoughts with Chris and his family ❤️🙏🏻🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/93PUM59ruZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 12, 2021
UEFA later confirmed that the player was transferred to a local hospital and has been stabilized.
Following the medical emergency involving Denmark’s player Christian Eriksen, a crisis meeting has taken place with both teams and match officials and further information will be communicated at 19:45 CET.
The player has been transferred to the hospital and has been stabilised.
— UEFA (@UEFA) June 12, 2021
Players on the field and fans in the stands looked distraught during the ordeal with fans attempting to rally in applause to support the player, but it would quickly die down as the concern grew.
Fighting back tears looking at this photo. Incredible strength and symbolism from Denmark players. What an awful, terrifying moment. Please be okay, Eriksen 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/yu8E7kit5e
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) June 12, 2021
ESPN broadcaster Derek Rae was calling the match when the incident occurred:
The most difficult 10 minutes of a long commentary career. So hard to watch. Our hearts go out to Christian Eriksen. #DENFIN 🙏
— Derek Rae (@RaeComm) June 12, 2021
Eriksen debuted for Denmark in March 2010 and has accumulated 108 appearances and 36 goals for his country. The playmaker made his name on the club level with Dutch giants Ajax and he later moved to English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. After a difficult spell at the English club he was loaned to Italian club Inter Milan last year and he returned to his best form in helping Inter win the Italian Serie A championship.