Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand reveals Christian Eriksen ‘was concerned for his teammates and his family’ and believes it was wrong to resume the game.
The Denmark coach held a press conference with the team’s doctor to provide an update about Eriksen, who is stable in hospital after collapsing during Denmark vs. Finland yesterday.
The Denmark national team spoke with the Inter playmaker via facetime today and the coach revealed what the 29-year old said.
“Typically, Christian was concerned about his family and us. He asked us how we were feeling. It shows the generosity and what kind of person he is,” Hjulmand said.
“He’d like us to play. Christian is a football player, he feels he could go out and play. He feels good when he is close to a football. It was good to see his smile, we’ll try to see if we can get ourselves together.”
Eriksen passed medical exam without problem and said he hopes to ‘return soon’
The game against Finland was resumed yesterday with UEFA officials who asked players if they wanted to resume playing immediately (after knowing Eriksen was out of danger) or continue the game the following day (today) at 11 am UK time.
“Looking at it now, I think it was the wrong thing to ask the players to choose between these scenarios,” the Denmark coach said.
“They were not sure if they had lost their best friend. I have a sense that we shouldn’t have played. It’s a feeling I have, we should have gone on the bus and go back home.
“It was a tough decision. Players had to make a decision, I know it’s difficult, but I have a sense it was wrong.
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“I am proud to be the coach of this team. there is a lot of talk about money in football, it’s the agenda, but we saw what football is about: team spirit, compassion and love. It was a signal that showed what football really is.
“Reactions are different from players to players, the most important thing was the conversation with Christian today, it was positive to see Christian today. Everybody needs to think about the pictures they have in their heads.
“We will give them time, somebody will take longer than others, it’s something we have to deal with, it’s not something you can remove quickly [from your head].”