Sports08 June, 20262 min read
Christian Eriksen Collapses Again During Denmark Friendly Against Ukraine In Odense
“match was abandoned”
“The friendly match was abandoned.”
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during Denmark's friendly with Ukraine in Odense. The match was abandoned after the collapse, with Eriksen taken to hospital.
Eriksen collapses again
Christian Eriksen collapsed in the 65th minute during Denmark’s friendly against Ukraine in Odense on Sunday, clutching his chest before the match was abandoned shortly afterwards. Sky Sports said the 34-year-old was taken to hospital after the incident and that he is “doing well at home” after collapsing during the Denmark game. WRAL reported that Eriksen, who is 34, clutched his chest with both hands in the off-the-ball action in the 65th minute, received medical attention as fellow players formed a circle, walked off the field by himself, and was taken to hospital for more tests.
Both accounts tied the latest episode to the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted after Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during a European Championship match in 2021, when he was resuscitated on the pitch. Sky Sports also noted that Eriksen had previously collapsed during the European Championships in 2021 after suffering a cardiac arrest in Copenhagen against Finland.
ICD shock and reactions
Eriksen told fans he is “doing well” and at home with his family after the collapse, writing on Instagram that “I want to let everyone know that I am doing well and that I am home with my family.” WRAL quoted Eriksen saying that “receiving a shock from my ICD has had a major effect on both me and my family,” while also adding he wanted to reassure everyone it was “a different situation from what happened in 2021.”
BBC Sport reported that Denmark national team doctor Morten Boesen said “the pacemaker responded as it should” after Eriksen’s collapse, and that Eriksen was able to walk from the field after regaining consciousness. Euronews said Eriksen remained conscious after he dropped to the ground clutching his chest with both hands, and it quoted his Instagram message that he wanted to reassure everyone “this was a different situation from what happened in 2021.”
What happens next
After the incident, Sky News said the Danish team doctor expected Eriksen to be discharged soon and return home, and it quoted the statement that “[Eriksen] is with his family and in good spirits.” The New York Times reported that Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen said Eriksen “is doing well” and that the expectation was he will be discharged “soon” and can return home, with the team “taking good care of the players and staff.”
BBC added that Eriksen’s collapse came in a friendly that was stopped on 65 minutes when he collapsed and was abandoned shortly after, and it said he was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Euro 2020 match against Finland in 2021. Sky Sports also said Eriksen’s latest medical emergency is likely to cast doubt over his playing future, while noting he currently plays for German side Wolfsburg and had previously left Inter Milan in 2021 due to rules in Italy prohibiting players from competing while fitted with an ICD.