On June 12, 2021, the Danish soccer star collapsed with cardiac arrest during the European Championship game against Finland. His life hung by a thread. And now the return: when the hero of the evening trotted onto the pitch at half-time in the 4-2 (1-3) friendly against the Netherlands, the 50,000 spectators in the stands at the Johan Cruijff Arena erupted in applause, and Bond coach Louis van Gaal also gave standing applause.
“I’m still the same soccer player”
Less than two minutes after Eriksen’s substitution, the stadium was raging again: the playmaker with the number 10 shirt hit the ball perfectly, the ball hit the top left and suddenly it was only 3:2. “Oranje” keeper Mark Flekken from SC Freiburg had no chance. And the “Elftal” debutant would have been there too if Eriksen shot the post in the 74th minute.
“I’m still the same footballer and I still want to win”, Eriksen told Danish TV channel Kanal 5. Despite all the joy about his return, the 110-time Danish international will never forget that dramatic evening, that June 12, 2021 in Copenhagen’s Parken. “It’s part of me. It’s part of the world”the 30-year-old said to the Dutch TV station “NOS” after the comeback.
“had goosebumps”
He only made his competitive comeback a month ago, and Eriksen is now with him Brentford FC in the English premier league employed. Because at his ex-club Inter Milan he was no longer allowed to play with the defibrillator he had used according to the league statutes. Eriksen was also under contract with Ajax Amsterdam for a long time, he gave the TV interview in Dutch.
“It’s a pleasure to see him play football,” said selection coach Kasper Hjulmand. Above all, he gave his protégé one thing to take with him to the pitch: “Enjoy it – and welcome back.” Eriksen stuck to it. “I’ve had good years here and I still know where the goal is,” said the returnee, who also inspired his opponents. “I had goosebumps,” said Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt. “It’s great that he’s back – the way he scored shows his class.”
Comeback almost failed due to corona infection
Eriksen’s comeback almost failed due to a corona infection, but he reported fit in time. “Wonderful to see Christian Eriksen score for Denmark – 287 days after we feared the worst. Fantastic,” wrote the former England international and today’s TV expert Gary Lineker on Twitter. And Brentford FC tweeted: “A Perfect Story”.
The “Elftal”, the next German opponent again in Amsterdam on Tuesday, won by the way with goals from the two England pros Steven Bergwijn (16th/71st minute) and Nathan Aké (29th) as well as a foul penalty kick from Memphis Depay (38th minute). .). Vestergaard equalized for the Danes to make it 1-1 (20′). But that seemed to be only a side issue that evening.
Source: red/dpa/sid