Kasper Schmeichel and Christian Eriksen (Image: PA)
Kasper Schmeichel and Christian Eriksen (Image: PA)
Kasper Schmeichel has looked back on Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest on the pitch, in a recent podcast appearance.
Just under four years ago, then-Inter Milan midfielder Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 match with Finland at the Parken Stadium.
Following a lengthy stoppage due to the player receiving CPR and an escort to the hospital, Finland defeated the hosts 1-0, though Denmark managed to reach the semi-finals despite losing their first game, eventually being put out by runners-up England at Wembley Stadium.
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On the Official Celtic FC Podcast, Schmeichel reflected on that fateful night in Copenhagen. “Euro 2020 was a very bittersweet experience, due to the amount of emotions involved,” admitted the 38-year-old goalkeeper.
“With the incident happening on such a big stage, it was unique. There were lots of thoughts going around my head, but luckily, I can look back on it with joy because Christian is here and he is playing.
“The thing I always look back on, particularly at that point, was the performance of the medical staff, rather than the team and football performance. That was insane to see because of the pressure they were under to make decisions. It was not like a footballer making decisions, but life-changing and life-saving decisions – the coolness and calmness that they performed under was incredible.
“As a national team, it will always be special, particularly to the players who were in that squad – we have a very unique connection to the national team, and that made it stronger.”
Schmeichel has managed to earn 113 caps, just 16 fewer than his father Peter. This season, the goalkeeper has made 48 appearances for Celtic in all competitions, signing a one-year extension to his contract with the club in recent months.