Euro 2020: Will tournament continue after Christian Eriksen collapses in Denmark game

Will Euro 2020 continue? Shocking scenes in Denmark leave tournament stunned as Christian Eriksen requires CPR on the pitch after collapsing in group clash with Finland


The world of football was left traumatised after Denmark star Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during their Euro 2020 fixture with Finland in Copenhagen.

Saturday night’s match at the Parken Stadium was suspended, with UEFA announcing that Eriksen has been stabilised and transferred to the hospital after doctors performed CPR on him.

Photographs showed Eriksen apparently conscious and sitting up as he was transported off the field on a rolling stretcher.

Denmark star Christian Eriksen has been rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch mid-game – as distressing footage shows medics giving him CPR 

Pictures showed Eriksen sitting up on the stretcher with his eyes open as he was carried away this evening

Pictures showed Eriksen sitting up on the stretcher with his eyes open as he was carried away this evening

Eriksen's wife Sabrina Kvist was seen in floods of tears and was consoled by Denmark players as she rushed on to the Copenhagen pitch

Eriksen’s wife Sabrina Kvist was seen in floods of tears and was consoled by Denmark players as she rushed on to the Copenhagen pitch

Eriksen was seen taken off the pitch wearing oxygen and supported by urgent medical staff

Eriksen was seen taken off the pitch wearing oxygen and supported by urgent medical staff

A statement by the Danish Football Association confirmed Eriksen is awake and waiting for further tests in hospital.

But what implications will this have on Euro 2020 going forward?

Saturday’s Belgium vs Russia match

The other Group B fixture between Belgium and Russia, to be played in Saint Petersburg at 8pm UK time, is expected to go ahead as planned.

The team line-ups for this match were published on the UEFA website on time one hour and 20 minutes before the 8pm kick-off.  

Jan Vertonghen of Belgium arrives at the stadium in Saint Petersburg ahead of the Russia game on Saturday evening

Jan Vertonghen of Belgium arrives at the stadium in Saint Petersburg ahead of the Russia game on Saturday evening

Finishing the Denmark vs Finland game

The match was only suspended but is highly unlikely to be finished on Saturday evening with the players of both sides highly distressed.

UEFA will have to fit a new date for the match to be completed into the schedule which will have a knock on effect on the tournament. 

This is a very tight tournament, lasting essentially a month, but for the integrity of the competition, the game will have to be completed.

Medics quickly rushed to Eriksen's aid tonight. Players stood near him shocked fans watched

Medics quickly rushed to Eriksen’s aid tonight. Players stood near him shocked fans watched

A statement posted to UEFA's official Twitter account read: 'Following the medical emergency involving Denmark’s player Christian Eriksen, a crisis meeting has taken place with both teams and match officials and further information will be communicated at 19:45 CET'

A statement posted to UEFA’s official Twitter account read: ‘Following the medical emergency involving Denmark’s player Christian Eriksen, a crisis meeting has taken place with both teams and match officials and further information will be communicated at 19:45 CET’

And the Danish Football Union confirmed their star player 'is awake' and awaits further tests at hospital

And the Danish Football Union confirmed their star player ‘is awake’ and awaits further tests at hospital

Finland are due to play Russia on Wednesday next week, while Denmark take on Belgium on Thursday. 

The rearranged game could be fitted in prior to that, kicking off maybe ahead of the other scheduled fixtures on that day but it will depend on further developments with Eriksen and the mindset of the players.  

England media duties

An England press conference at which manager Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane were due to appear to preview Sunday’s match against Croatia has been cancelled.

This was due to have taken place at 6.30pm. England’s Twitter account sent their best wishes to Eriksen and his family.

Kane is a former team-mate of Eriksen from the Dane’s time as a Tottenham player.