Enlarge image
Denmark's Simon Kjaer and Kasper Schmeichel in the game against Finland
Photo:
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND / AFP
The Danish Football Association has promised its players psychological help after the collapse of their teammate Christian Eriksen during the European Championship game against Finland (0-1). "It's a traumatic experience," said national coach Kasper Hjulmand late on Saturday evening. “We'll spend the next few days working on it as best we can. And of course there are professional people around us. ”On its website, the association specifically offered“ crisis aid to the players, Christian's family and everyone else in the men's national team ”.
In the European Championship preliminary round match between Denmark and Finland, 29-year-old Eriksen from Inter Milan collapsed on the grass shortly before the end of the first half and remained motionless.
Rescuers who were called immediately initiated life-saving measures.
Eriksen was transported to the hospital where, according to the Danish Association, his condition stabilized.
It is clear that his team will have to play against group favorites Belgium (6 p.m. / ZDF and Magenta TV) against the preliminary round at this tournament on Thursday.
Even the game against Finland continued on Saturday evening after a 107-minute break, although some Danish players were visibly in shock after the dramatic experiences.
The national coach named Simon Kjaer, his experienced captain, as an example.
The 32-year-old had comforted Eriksen's girlfriend on the lawn of the Parken Stadium.
It was also he who led his team back onto the field after the interruption.
But already then the former Wolfsburg had tears in his eyes.
“Simon was deeply affected and doubted whether he could go on.
He tried, but it wasn't possible, ”Hjulmand said later.
His captain asked him to be substituted almost 20 minutes after the game resumed (62nd).
ara / dpa