Christian Eriksen gives thumbs up in first pic from hospital as he gives update, Schmeichel speaks on Uefa’s handling
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN has given a thumbs up with the first pic of him since his cardiac arrest posted on his Instagram.
From his hospital bed, Eriksen thanked everyone for their support and wrote: "I'm fine - under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay."
Denmark's players had visited him in hospital with team-mate Kasper Schmeichel saying it was "damn nice to see him smile".
But Schmeichel has had some choice words for Uefa, saying the match should not have continued".
The Danes' game against Finland had to be stopped after Eriksen collapsed on the field just before half time, receiving CPR shortly afterwards.
The match continued once both teams were aware Eriksen had woken up, with Finland running out 1-0 winners.
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CROATIA XI
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic, who led them to the 2018 World Cup Final, also appears set to play in a 4-3-3 formation.
Domink Livakovic starts in goal with Sime Vrsaljko at right-back and Josko Gvardiol on the other side, while Domagoj Vida and Duje Caleta-Car team up at centre-back.
Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic link up in midfield.
Ante Rebic, Andrej Kramaric and Ivan Persisic lead the line
Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Vida, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol, Modric, Brozovic, Kovacic, Rebic, Kramaric, Perisic
ENGLAND XI
Here's England's starting line-up for their Euro 2020 opener against Croatia at Wembley Stadium.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate seems to have opted for a 4-3-3 formation with Jordan Pickford between the sticks and Kyle Walker at right-back as well as Kieran Trippier on the other side, while John Stones and Tyrone Mings team up at centre-back.
Kalvin Phillips, Mason Mount and Declan Rice team up in midfield.
And Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling as well as Harry Kane lead the line
LUK AT THIS
Inter Milan star Romelu Lukaku scored a brace yesterday during Belgium's 3-0 win over Russia in their Euro 2020 opener.
Lukaku dedicated his opener to Inter team-mate Christian Eriksen after the shocking scenes we witnessed earlier that day.
The ex-Chelsea and Manchester United star looked straight into the camera and said: "Chris, stay strong! I love you!"
Check it out:
MORE ON ERIKSEN FUTURE
Sanjay Sharma, a professor of sports cardiology at St George’s University in London who worked with Christian Eriksen during his time at Tottenham, explained the severity of the player's collapse.
Sharma told PA news agency: "The fact he's stable and awake, his outlook is going to be very good.
"I don't know whether he'll ever play football again.
"Without putting it too bluntly, he died today, albeit for a few minutes, but he did die and would the medical professional allow him to die again? The answer is no"
LENO WISHES
Arsenal ace Bernd Leno and the rest of the Germany squad have also shared some wishes for Christian Eriksen and his loved ones.
The Germans’ official Twitter profile shared a picture of the entire team standing in front of Eriksen’s picture.
All players, many of which have shared the pitch with the attacking midfielder throughout the years, were shown doing the thumbs-up gesture.
Here’s what they tweeted:
BBC STATEMENT
The BBC have apologised following complaints for showing Denmark star Christian Eriksen receiving emergency treatment during the Euro 2020 game against Finland.
The BBC issued the following statement: “We apologise to anyone who was upset by the images broadcast.
“In-stadium coverage is controlled by Uefa as the host broadcaster, and as soon as the match was suspended, we took our coverage off air as quickly as possible.”
Host Gary Lineker also shared the following tweet:
TAYLOR PRAISE
Referee Anthony Taylor has received a raft of praise for his quick reaction after Christian Eriksen’s collapse.
It took Taylor just a few seconds until he stopped the game and called the medics onto the pitch.
And of course the medical team did a great job treating and resuscitating Eriksen.
The Inter Milan ace's condition continues to be stable
SIMON SAYS
Denmark captain Simon Kjaer has received a lot of praise for his reaction after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch.
Kjaer showed immense leadership and composure as he secured his team-mate's neck, cleared his airwaves and administered CPR before medics arrived on the scene.
The AC Milan defender was then seen consoling Eriksen's wife Sabrina along with Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
But of course, no one can count out the incredible work the medical team put together which saved the Inter Milan ace's life
ERIKSEN LATEST
The Danish Football Association have released the following statement with all the latest news regarding Christian Eriksen’s health.
The DBU have confirmed that Eriksen’s condition remains “stable” and will continue to be hospitalised for further examinations.
Meanwhile, the Denmark national team and staff will continue to receive “crisis assistance” after yesterday’s scenes.
Here’s their statement in full:
TEAM DOCTOR REACTS
Denmark's team doctor Martin Boesen spoke to the media in a post-match interview after Christian Eriksen's collapse.
Boesen said: "It was clear he was unconscious.
"When I got to him he was on his side, he was breathing, I could feel a pulse, but suddenly that changed and we started to give him CPR.
"The help came really fast from the medical team and the rest of the staff with their co-operation, and we did what we had to do and managed to get Christian back. He spoke to me before he was taken to hospital"
ERIKSEN POTENTIAL FUTURE
Sanjay Sharma, a professor of sports cardiology at St George's University in London who worked with Christian Eriksen during his time at Tottenham, has claimed the Denmark international may never play professionally again after his collapse.
Sharma also suggested that Eriksen suffered "cardiac arrest" during the Euro 2020 opener against Finland.
He said: "His cardiac arrest has rocked the entire nation today and that's what happens. It's not just them that it affects, it's the psyche of so many people.
"The good news is he will live, the bad news is he was coming to the end of his career, so would he play another professional football game? That I can't say.
"In the UK he wouldn't play. We'd be very strict about it"
TOTTENHAM REACH OUT
Tottenham have showed their support towards their former player Christian Eriksen following yesterday's shocking scenes in Copenhagen.
Eriksen joined Spurs from Ajax in 2013 and quickly established himself as a key player.
The attacking midfielder spent a total of seven years at Spurs and was part of the team that made it to the 2019 Champions League Final.
The 29-year-old left the north Londoners in 2020 and joined Inter Milan
DENMARK 0 FINLAND 1
Denmark and Finland's Euro 2020 opener was postponed after 41 minutes when Inter Milan star Christian Eriksen collapsed.
Medical staff raced onto the pitch to give emergency treatment and CPR to Eriksen as his team-mates formed a protective shield around him.
The attacking midfielder was seen conscious and sitting up on a stretcher while receiving oxygen as he was taken from the pitch.
It’s been reported that the 29-year-old had a Facetime call with his Denmark team-mates and asked them to play the match as “he feels better now”.
Finland won the game with Joel Pohjanpalo's winner after 59 minutes
HERE'S THE LATEST ON CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN,
Christian Eriksen is in a "stable" condition and "awake" in hospital after collapsing during Denmark's Euro 2020 opener with Finland.
The former Tottenham midfielder, 29, received CPR as he was surrounded by his worried team-mates after falling to the floor.
Medical staff raced onto the pitch to give emergency treatment to the Inter Milan ace as his team-mates formed a protective shield around him.
Eriksen was seen conscious and sitting up on a stretcher while receiving oxygen as he was taken from the pitch just after 6pm.
It's been reported tonight that Eriksen had a Facetime call with his Denmark team-mates and asked them to play the match as “he feels better now”.
The shocking scenes happened towards the end of the first half of the teams' opening Group B match.
Following the distressing incident the match was abandoned, but was restarted at 7.30PM (GMT), with Finland winning 1-0.
And Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand was understandably very emotional at the post-match news conference.
He said: “First of all, if it gets emotional, it’s been a tough night. We are all reminded of what the most important thing in life is – to have valuable relationships, people we’re close to, our family and our friends.
“We have a group of players that I cannot praise enough. I couldn’t be prouder of those people who took such good care of each other.
“He is one of my very dear friends, the way the players talked in the dressing room to decide to not do anything before we knew Christian was conscious and OK.
“We had two options to play the game [today] or tomorrow at 12pm and everyone agreed to play today.
“You can’t play a game with such feelings. We tried to win. It was incredible they managed to go out and try to play the second half.
“Honestly, there were players out there that were completely done. Emotionally done and emotionally exhausted.”
Elsewhere, England’s match with Croatia is set to go ahead today as Gareth Southgate’s players sent their “best wishes” to Eriksen.
Three Lions captain Harry Kane, who is close friends with former Spurs team-mate Eriksen, tonight tweeted: “Chris. I’m sending all my love to you and your family. Stay strong mate.”
An FA spokesman said there was “no suggestion” England’s opening Group D clash at Wembley would be postponed.
ERIKSEN UPDATE
Inter Milan have claimed that they are optimistic about Christian Eriksen's condition.
GAME ON
England's match with Croatia is set to go ahead tomorrow as Gareth Southgate's players sent their "best wishes" to Christian Eriksen.
Three Lions captain Harry Kane, who is close friends with former Spurs team-mate Eriksen, tonight tweeted: "Chris. I’m sending all my love to you and your family. Stay strong mate."
An FA spokesman said there was "no suggestion" England's opening Group D clash tomorrow at Wembley would be postponed.
Eriksen is now "awake" and "stable" after being rushed to hospital from the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Danish football association the DBU said.
The Inter Milan ace is awaiting more medical tests, but reportedly FaceTimed his team-mates from hospital as he told them to finish their Euro 2020 opener after his distressing collapse.
UNITED IN CARE
Finland fans handed over their team flags to shield stricken Christian Eriksen as the football world united in concern for the Denmark star.
The Inter Milan midfielder, 29, was later "stable" and "awake" in hospital after receiving CPR in the Euro 2020 game.
JOEL ON HIS GOAL
Finland goalscorer Joel Pohjanpalo gave his verdict on today's game.
He told Finnish broadcaster YLE: "Of course it was hard for us to go to the pitch, and I can only imagine how hard it was for Denmark.
"A great victory for us, but the foremost thing on our minds is Christian’s condition."
MORE FROM HJULMAND
The Denmark head coach admitted his side were mentally drained following the restart to the game.
He said: "First of all, if it gets emotional, it's been a tough night. We are all reminded of what the most important thing in life is - to have valuable relationships, people we're close to, our family and our friends.
"We have a group of players that I cannot praise enough. I couldn't be prouder of those people who took such good care of each other.
"He is one of my very dear friends, the way the players talked in the dressing room to decide to not do anything before we knew Christian was conscious and OK.
"We had two options to play the game [today] or tomorrow at 12pm and everyone agreed to play today.
"You can't play a game with such feelings. We tried to win. It was incredible they managed to go out and try to play the second half.
“Honestly, there were players out there that were completely done. Emotionally done and emotionally exhausted.”
'MORE IMPORTANT THINGS'
Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand was understandably very emotional at the post-match news conference.
He said: "It was a really tough evening, on which we've all been reminded what the most important things in life are.
"It's meaningful relationships. It's those people who are close to us. It's family and friends.
"Everything, everything, everything - all thoughts are with Christian and his family."
TOUCHING TRIBUTE
UEFA have confirmed that Christian Eriksen has been given the man of the match award following today's game.
MORE FROM FABREGAS
When the news came through that Eriksen was alive and responsive, there was a wave of joy in relief.
Then came the extraordinary further revelation that the players of Denmark and Finland were prepared to return to the pitch.
Again Fabregas proved as eloquent off the field as he once was on it.
Asked by Lineker if he was surprised by the game’s resumption, Fabregas said: “Yes, I am, because today is not a day to play a hero’s game.
“It’s a moment to realise how grateful we are. If it’s their decision, then spot on for them.
“Well done if they are strong enough mentally to cope with it.
“It’s difficult for me to understand how they did it because the images we saw were very very sad.
“But fair play to them.”
FAB WORK
SunSport's Dan King writes: "Cesc Fabregas made his name finding the right pass.
"Today the former Arsenal, Chelsea and Spain star came up with the right words as football tried to come to terms with Christian Eriksen’s shocking collapse.
"When the BBC cut back to the studio from the appalling images at the Parken Stadion in Copenhagen, Fabregas put into words what everyone was feeling.
He said: “How many times do I go home and I am upset? And I ate with my family, with my loved ones.
“And you realise it’s just a game. And we need to enjoy it every second and have passion for it but really there are things that don’t matter anymore.
“More important is health, try to be always happy, enjoy what you have in life, how blessed we are, and that’s it.
“This is a big shock and a reminder for all of us.”
THOUGHTS FROM SOUTGATE
The England boss has passed on the team's "very best wishes to Christian and those close to him."
STATEMENT FROM LINEKER
The BBC host has given his full-time thoughts on Twitter after covering today's match between Denmark and Finland.