Smiling Eriksen says he feels ‘fine – under the circumstances’
By Sebastian Stiekel and Steffen Trumpf
COPENHAGEN – A smiling Christian Eriksen said on Tuesday (15) he is feeling “fine – under the circumstances” and issued a thank you message for all the support he has received after collapsing during Denmark’s Euro 2020 game with Finland.
In his first public message since the Saturday (12) incident, Eriksen published a photo on Instagram showing himself smiling and making a thumbs-up gesture in his hospital bed in Copenhagen.
“Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. It means a lot to me and my family,” Eriksen said.
“I’m fine – under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.”
Eriksen collapsed late in the first half of Saturday’s game. He suffered cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the pitch before being taken to hospital where he is making a good recovery.
“Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches. Play for all of Denmark,” Eriksen said.
They lost the game to Finland 1-0 when it was restarted some two hours after the incident.
Their next match is on Thursday (17) against world ranking leaders Belgium in Copenhagen and their final group match on Monday (21) against Russia.
Demark coach Kasper Hjulmand said on Tuesday that the players can decide for themselves whether they are mentally prepared to play on Thursday.
“It is OK if there are some players who are not mentally ready to play against Belgium,” he told reporters.
But he said the good news from Eriksen is helping the team find its focus again.
“The last 24 hours were good for the group. We know Christian is doing good. And we are back on the training pitch. There was a smile on the player’s face again,” Hjulmand said.
The team had a prominent visitor during Tuesday training as Danish Crown Prince Frederik dropped by to show some royal support and exchange a few words with Hjulmand.
Frederik, who has a passion for sport and was a member of the International Olympic Committee, had been among the many wishing Eriksen well after his collapse.
Hjulmand meanwhile reiterated his criticism on the ruling body UEFA for giving them only two options on Saturday, either to complete the match on the night or the next day.
“I had the impression that we and the players were put under pressure,” he said. “There is no doubt that we got two options from UEFA. I was there. I know it. There were only the two options. It was very, very clear.”
Danish players Kasper Schmeichel and Martin Braithwaite had also criticized UEFA which has come under heavy fire over its handling of the issue, and for suggesting the game was restarted because both teams wished for this.
“I don’t think it was the right decision. It was also not the right way to lead the way,” Hjulmand said in the direction of UEFA. “But maybe it is a lesson for the future.”
-dpa