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The image of Danish Christian Eriksen collapsing on the pitch a few minutes before half-time in the game against Finland was a shock.
It raised a wave of concern and will mark the history of the Euro.
But the news was reassuring as the minutes went by and the match, finally won by the Finns, was able to resume two hours later.
In the other matches, Switzerland was hooked by Wales (1-1) and Belgium outclassed Russia (3-0).
Eriksen, relief after dread
For long minutes, football gave way to fear. Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, 29, heartily just before the break in the Group B game against Finland, who suddenly collapsed on the pitch with his eyes rolled back, plunged the Euro into a state of amazement for a long time . Before UEFA spoke of "stable condition" to announce his transfer to hospital, concern was at its height. We saw teammates and spectators in tears. Eriksen certainly owes his salvation to the reactivity of his partners, in particular Simon Kjaer who came running to put him in a side position of safety. The Danish team's medical supervision was then quickly joined by the stadium's medical services. His partners have gathered to form a circle around him in order to enforce his privacy.The meeting was suspended "due to a medical emergency"
🏆 # Euro2020
🇩🇰 Kasper Hjulmand talks about the match against Finland and Christian Eriksen's discomfort
🗨️ "It's the kind of party that reminds us all how important life is" pic.twitter.com/vH7EhqTokY
- beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) June 12, 2021
But the Danish Federation was able to give reassuring news by indicating that Eriksen was "awake" and that he was undergoing tests at the main hospital in Copenhagen.
The Inter Milan midfielder then found the strength to exchange a video call with his teammates to reassure them and offer them to resume the match.
A meeting lost by Denmark (1-0) after the goal of Pohjanpalo, the first of Finland in international competition (60th) and a missed penalty (74th).
But yesterday, the essential was elsewhere ...
What happened yesterday
In Group A after Italy's victory over Turkey (3-0) on Friday, Wales and Switzerland drew (1-1). A small hold-up for the Welsh in view of the scenario of the match. Dominating and rewarded with the goal of Breel Embolo (50th), Switzerland was punished by the Welsh of cold realism, like the equalizer of Kieffer Moore (74th). Belgium, one of the favorites of the competition, marked the spirits from its beginnings by winning clearly against Russia (3-0) in Saint Petersburg. Romelu Lukaku offered himself a double (10th, 88th). “Chris, Chris, I love you! As he celebrated his opener, Lukaku rushed to a camera to deliver the words of comfort to his Inter Milan teammate. Passenger on Lukaku's second goal, Thomas Meunier, the former PSG side,scored the other goal (34th).
🏆 # EURO2020 🇧🇪🇷🇺 #BELRUS
🗨️ Lukaku: "It was difficult to play today, I dedicate my performance to Christian Eriksen. I cried a lot" pic.twitter.com/9CfdjYs7Lr
- beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) June 12, 2021
The program of the day
3 p.m. (BeIN Sports 1): England - Croatia
This is the poster for this third day and the remake of the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup. In Russia, the Croats won (2-1) against England.
The English who hope to take their revenge are among the outsiders of this Euro where the final will take place at home at Wembley.
England can rely on a rejuvenated and talented squad where 23 of the 26 selected play in the Premier League.
Croatia has lost three World Cup finalists, Subasic, Rakitic and Mandzukic who retired internationally.
But the 2018 Golden Ball Luka Modric, Inter player Ivan Perisic or Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic are still there.
6 p.m. (BeIN Sports 1): Austria - North Macedonia
This is the attraction of this Euro.
Led by its captain Pandev (37), North Macedonia is playing its first international competition.
In April, they marked the spirits by winning (2-1) in Germany in a friendly match.
Austria is playing its third Euro finals in 4 years.
But the psychological advantage will be on the side of the Macedonian rookies who beat the Austrians twice in the qualifiers.
9 p.m. (M 6 and BeIN Sports 1): Netherlands - Ukraine
This is the shock of this group C. Absent from Euro 2016 in France and from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Netherlands are among the outsiders of this Euro.
At home in Amsterdam, they will try to start well against Ukraine.
But on the Ukrainian side, the dynamic is rather positive.
With 2 wins and a draw in 3 preparation matches, they arrive at the Euro with full confidence.
Andriy Shevchenko's team had a good draw against France at the Stade de France last March.
The player who will make us dream: Memphis Depay
Leader of the Netherlands team, Memphis Depay has great ambitions during this Euro.
PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW
He left Lyon and the L1 on a magnificent last season in terms of his personal statistics, 20 goals and 12 assists but frustrating on the collective level.
Fourth, his now former OL teammates will not play in the Champions League next season.
But Memphis Depay, go find her.
It will certainly be in the shirt of Barcelona, ​​his first choice, even if Juventus of Turin, had also been very urgent.
Endowed with a strong character and ego, Memphis (27 years old) who has often carried the attacking sector of the Netherlands, hopes to shine during this Euro in order to show that his place is indeed among the best European attackers.
The info you missed
Unusual scene yesterday from the last training of the Netherlands before the match against Ukraine.
A plane flew over the field with a banner bearing a message for coach Frank De Boer: Frank.
Gewoon 4-3-3!
", Or" Frank, play 4-3-3 ".
Coach of the Oranje since 2020 replacing Ronald Koeman who left for Barcelona, ​​the former central defender of Ajax Amsterdam or Barça has chosen to go from 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 in order to strengthen the axis defensive team.
A change of system which obviously does not please the Dutch fans who have chosen an original way to convey the message to De Boer.
“He's just someone who wanted to express his opinion.
Thank you for the advice, but it will stay in 3-5-2 ”he reacted.
The "Blues" point
As planned by the staff, Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann returned to collective training this Saturday at Clairefontaine. Respectively affected in the thigh and calf, the Madrilenian and the Barcelona player had performed an individualized session on Thursday where they had tested their support and touched the ball. This time they are back like Raphaël Varane who had been spared Thursday. The players of the France team held a closed session on the Pibarot field three days before their entry into contention in this Euro 2021 against Germany. A training which once again did not take place in full since Kurt Zouma was absent. The Chelsea defender had received a blow to the nose the day before and the staff preferred to leave him to care.But his condition does not inspire much concern and the European champion will be available Tuesday to face the Mannschaft.