Hojbjerg reveals dressing room anguish as Eriksen collapse revives Euro 2020 trauma

Christian Eriksen collapsed during the second half of Denmark’s international friendly against Ukraine in Odense on Sunday, prompting immediate medical intervention and the abandonment of the match. The Danish FA confirmed that Eriksen quickly regained consciousness and was taken to hospital for further tests.

The incident drew an immediate and emotional response from Eriksen’s Denmark teammates, with midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg admitting it stirred painful memories of the cardiac arrest Eriksen suffered during Denmark’s clash with Finland at Euro 2020 five years ago.

“The most important thing is that Christian is okay — and that his family is okay,” Hojbjerg said. “We went into the dressing room and spoke a bit there. Now you try to collect yourself and get the chance to talk things through with each other. Some people have questions, and others need to talk to their families. Some need to sit and listen a bit. That’s completely okay.”

Hojbjerg praised the swift response of the medical staff and the conduct of both players and supporters. “The overriding thing is that the response was handled well, and that the medical staff had everything under control. And that the players showed respect, and that the fans showed great respect. It ended as well as it possibly could — given what happened. We are all deeply grateful for that.”

The former Tottenham and Manchester United midfielder added that the incident left him needing to be with his family. “It was a shock. The most important thing is that Christian is doing well. I think I need to see my children and my family. They are the ones I want to see.”

Denmark head coach Brian Riemer also spoke candidly about the moment Eriksen fell ill, revealing he had initially mistaken the midfielder’s distress for the aftermath of a physical challenge. “A few minutes before he fell ill, he had had a tussle with Ruslan Malinovskyi, and I thought that was why he looked so distressed, but I was wrong,” Riemer said. “From that moment on, neither I nor the players on the pitch could have carried on with the match.”

Riemer described his close bond with Eriksen and his desire to visit him in person. “He is a man who has meant a great deal to me. There are some players you become closer to than others, and he was one of those I became close to because of the experience he came with. That is why it naturally sits very deeply with me.”

Eriksen, who was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator following his 2021 cardiac arrest, had returned to professional football and went on to play for Brentford and Manchester United before joining the Danish national setup under Riemer.