Journalism of Courage
Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen was conscious in hospital on Saturday, soccer officials said, after collapsing during his side's Euro 2020 opening match with Finland and being given CPR on the pitch. Eriksen collapsed suddenly in the 42nd minute of the match while running near the left touchline after a Denmark throw-in. (Source: AP)
As a hush fell over the 16,000-strong crowd, his teammates gathered around him and one appeared to stick his fingers in Eriksen's mouth to clear his airway or check he hadn't swallowed his tongue. (Source: AP)
As medics arrived on the scene and pumped Eriksen's chest, his teammates formed a ring around him. (Source: Reuters)
Danish broadcaster DR cut the live TV feed, instead showing areal footage of the stadium. (Source: Reuters)
Teammates Martin Braithwaite and Thomas Delaney rushed to assist him, with Delaney beckoning furiously for medical assistance. (Source: Reuters)
A Reuters photographer at the game saw Eriksen raise his hand as he was carried away from the pitch on a stretcher (Source: Reuters)
The Danish football association later said on Twitter that the 29-year-old was awake at the nearby Rigshospitalet, where he was being examined. "We have been in contact with him and the players have spoken to Christian," said Peter Moller of the Danish Football Association. (Source: Reuters)
Both teams subsequently left the field with officials holding up sheets to hide the stricken player from view, and the stadium announcer told fans that the game had been suspended due to a medical emergency and to stay in their seats. (Source: Reuters)
Denmark's Simon Kjaer talks to Christian Eriksen's partner Sabrina Kvist Jensen (Source: Reuters)
The game was scoreless when Eriksen, who plays club soccer for Inter Milan in Italy, collapsed just before halftime in their Group B clash. (Source: AP)
Finland's players react after Denmark's Christian Eriksen collapsing on the pitch during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group B match between Denmark and Finland at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. The game was initially suspended but resumed an hour and 45 minutes later, Finland claiming a 1-0 victory when striker Joel Pohjanpalo headed in on the hour with his side's only attempt of the game.A visibly drained Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said after the match that the players were given the option to finish the game on Saturday evening or on Sunday. (Source: AP)
A hush fell over the crowd of 16,000 fans while Eriksen received treatment on the pitch, and outside bars around central Copenhagen people gathered, many in tears, while the player's condition remained unclear. (Source: Reuters)
The crowd at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen sang the Danish national anthem and shouted "Christian Eriksen" while they were waiting for news about the player. (Source: AP)
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku scored a goal at the European Championship and celebrated by running straight to a television camera and saying ``I love you'' to Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen. (Source: Reuters)
