Denmark debuted this Sunday in the Euro 2024 against Serbia. The team arrived with the intention of continuing to improve itself. In the last edition they reached the semifinals to lose to England 2-1. Now, they are willing to be heroic and repeat the history of 1992, when they became European champions. However, on this occasion the focus has had an objective beyond the templates on the green and the ball. This time all the spotlights were on Christian Eriksenwho returned to the competition three years after suffering cardiac arrest in the Danish team’s debut in the 2021 tournament. And the truth is that the celebration has been double given that he has also scored a goal for his country.
It was the 18th minute of the game. Throw-in for Denmark, which they put inside the area so that wind He put the ball on the penalty spot and midfielder Eriksen sent the ball into the back of Oblak’s net. A goal that put the Danes ahead in their first match in European competition. A goal that welcomes Eriksen to the national team and to European competition.
Eriksen arrived at the Eurocup calm. And this is how he tried to convey it during the press conference prior to Denmark’s debut in the competition: “For me, personally, everything about playing a game is about improving. But returning to this level (playing in a European Championship) has been a goal from the beginning. Three years have passed and many things have happened in the meantime. I don’t think about it every day, I don’t think about it too much. “I only think about playing football and positive things.”
Those were the only words from the footballer in relation to what happened three years earlier. After that he talked about football, the competition and Slovenia, a match in which he questioned whether he would start. “There has always been good competition in the center of the field, actually in all positions. This is how it should be. It is healthy and positive.” Finally, he has jumped onto the starting field to open the scoring for his selection.
Three years ago, Christian Eriksen held the breath of thousands of fans who watched from the stands and behind the television screen as the midfielder collapsed on the pitch in the match against Finland. It was shortly before half-time, in the 42nd minute of the game, Eriksen fell on the grass, generating a deafening silence in the stadium. His teammates quickly came to see what was happening, as did the medical team that immediately jumped onto the field. While he was being treated, the midfield teammates formed a circle, giving privacy to the health workers so they could carry out their work.
After a few minutes that felt like an eternity, Eriksen regained his pulse and was taken to Copenhagen Hospital, where doctors made the diagnosis: the player had suffered a heart attack. Fortunately, the player did not suffer any brain damage and some time later he returned to the playing field to continue his career in the world of football.
