Simon Kajaer the hero that saved a star

During Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 game against Finland at the Copenhagen Parken Stadium, the whole world was stunned by the horrific incident of Christian Eriksen collapsing on the pitch as he had gone to take a throw in.

As the Danish man stumbled to the ground fellow teammate Simon Kjaer was the first to his rescue with speed which was quick enough to save the former Tottenham midfielder’s life. The Denmark captain appeared to clear Eriksens airways, making sure he was doing everything as quick as possible to give him the best chance of pulling through.

The severity of the incident was evident as players from both teams urged the medical staff to get to Eriksen as quick as possible. The solidarity of the Denmark players was emotional as they formed a circle around their teammate as he was resuscitated, giving them some privacy away from the 15,200 pair of eyes on them in the stadium as well as the millions at home. However, none of the players could look as the tears streamed down their face and praying that Eriksen was going to be ok.

Eriksens wife Sabrina Kvist was seen from the side line distraught after seeing her husband laying unconscious on the ground but Kjaer and Schmeichel were the first by her side to comfort their teammates wife as she fell into their arms.

However, there was multiple heroes that helped to stabilise the 29-year-old. Denmark team doctor Martin Boesen spoke in a post-match news conference and explained what had exactly happened.

“It was clear he was unconscious”.

“When I got to him, he was on his side, he was breathing, I could feel a pulse, but suddenly that changed and we started to give him CPR.”

“The help came really fast from the medical team and the rest of the staff with their cooperation and we did what we had to do and managed to get Christian back. He spoke to me before he was taken to hospital.”

The Danish players were given two choices which were to finish the game that night or at noon the next day. After hearing Eriksen was ok, they decided to get it over and done with and finish the same evening restarting at 19.30, nearly two hours after the incident. However, when returning to the pitch the applause from the Finland players and coaches as well as backroom staff and the fans was overwhelming. But the support from the fans was undeniable, Finland, Denmark and neutral fans stayed at the ground waiting for news on Christian when the game looked unlikely to go ahead.

English referee Anthony Taylor played one of the most significant roles during the collapse of Eriksen, as he almost immediately signalled the medics to race on. He then took the players down the tunnel when it became apparent the game was going to be suspended for some time.

Even though it ended in a defeat to Denmark with a goal in the 60th minute by Pohjanpalo, the real victory came when Christian Eriksen pulled through and was stabilised. Our thoughts are with Christian and his family at this difficult time.