Footballer Christian Eriksen "was gone" before being resurrected on the pitch, according to doctors

Denmark's team doctor said Sunday that Christian Eriksen's heart stopped before he was resuscitated with a defibrillator at the Euro.

The 29-year-old midfielder collapsed on Saturday while playing and during his team's first group match at Euro 2020 against Finland.

He was revived on the pitch, surrounded by his visibly worried teammates.

"He was gone. And we gave him a cardiac resuscitation. It was cardiac arrest,"

said team physician Morten Boesen, who led the work to treat Eriksen in the field.

"How close did we get? I don't know. We got it back after defibrillation. That's pretty quick."

Denmark's players react as teammate Christian Eriksen lies injured on the ground during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group B match between Denmark and Finland at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Wolfgang Rattay / via AP

Eriksen is in

stable

condition

in a Copenhagen hospital.

This Sunday he spoke with his team by video, according to team officials.

The doctor said that

it is still not clear what caused the collapse

of the Inter Milan midfielder.

"I am not a cardiologist, so the details about why it happened and beyond, I will leave to the experts," he said.

Boesen also said that Eriksen may not have survived had the match not been played in a major soccer tournament, with first-class medical teams on hand.

Danish footballer Christian Eriksen.REUTERS

"That was completely decisive, I think," Boesen said.

"The time that elapses from when it happened until he received help was a critical factor, and that time was short. That was decisive," he said.

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said that when he spoke to Eriksen he was more concerned about the well-being of his teammates than his own.

"He said 'I don't remember much, but I'm more worried about you guys. How are you?"

Hjulmand said.

"That's typical of Christian ...

It was good to see him smile," she

added.

Danish players and team personnel received crisis management assistance while they processed the incident.

Eriksen fell to the ground at the end of the first half and his teammates formed a circle around him while the doctors treated him.

The match was suspended for about 90 minutes before resuming.

Finland won 1-0 after scoring in the second half.

Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen is removed on a stretcher after collapsing on the field during a match at Euro 2020, on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Stuart Franklin / via AP

Denmark canceled a training session scheduled for Sunday, but Hjulmand said they would try to return to their normal routine on Monday.

He insisted that the players are determined to finish the tournament, as Denmark will play Belgium next Thursday in Group B.

With information from AP.