COPENHAGEN: European football governing body UEFA has invited Denmark international Christian Eriksen and the paramedics who helped save his life during an on-field cardiac arrest to attend the Euro 2020 final at Wembley on Sunday.
The brilliant Danish midfielder was resuscitated in front of shocked fans and a massive global TV audience during his nation’s first match of the tournament.
UEFA said Eriksen, his wife and six medics were invited to the final, but there was no confirmation he would attend.
One of the paramedics, Peder Ersgaard, said he was honored to receive a VIP invite from UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin.
“I’m excited, like a child on Christmas Eve,” he told the Fagbladet FOA magazine.
“I’m very proud of my efforts, but also of the whole team. It wasn’t a one-man effort.”
Eriksen collapsed on the Parken Stadium field in the first half against Finland, his eyes staring blank into a TV camera. CPR was administered and his heart was restarted with a defibrillator as players shielded the medics.
He is now recovering at home.
Eriksen’s agent could not immediately be reached by phone.
Initially traumatized but then inspired by the emotion over Eriksen’s plight, Denmark have stormed into the semifinals and play England on Wednesday for a place in the final.
“I hope to see Denmark against Italy. That would be really, really big. Just imagine if they become European champions,” Ersgaard added.
UEFA invites Eriksen and medics who saved him to Euros final
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UEFA invites Eriksen and medics who saved him to Euros final
- The brilliant Danish midfielder was resuscitated in front of shocked fans and a massive global TV audience
- UEFA said Eriksen, his wife and six medics were invited to the final
Salah unaffected by Liverpool turmoil ahead of AFCON opener — Egypt coach
AGADIR: Mohamed Salah has shown no signs of being distracted by the uncertainty surrounding his future at Liverpool as he prepares to lead Egypt into the Africa Cup of Nations, Pharaohs coach Hossam Hassan said on Sunday.
“Salah’s morale in training is very high, as if he were just starting out with the national team, and I believe he will have a great tournament with his country,” Hassan told reporters ahead of Egypt’s opening AFCON game against Zimbabwe in Agadir on Monday.
“I feel his motivation is very, very strong. Salah is an icon and will remain so. He is one of the best players in the world, and I support him in everything he does,” Hassan added.
Salah did not start any of Liverpool’s last five games before departing for the Cup of Nations in Morocco and things came to a head following the recent Premier League draw at Leeds United when he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by his coach at Anfield, Arne Slot.
That suggested a move away from the troubled Premier League champions during the January transfer window was a real possibility.
“I don’t consider what happened to him to be a crisis. These things often happen between players and coaches,” Hassan added.
“We’ve been in contact with him by phone from the beginning, and I met with him when he joined the national team camp. His focus is entirely on the tournament.”
Salah, 33, is aiming to lead Egypt to a record-extending eighth AFCON title in Morocco. He has never won the continental title, but ended up on the losing side in final defeats by Cameroon in 2017 and Senegal in 2022.
His goals this year have already helped Egypt qualify for the World Cup.
“Whenever Salah’s performances dip with his club, he regains his strength with the national team and becomes even better, whether by contributing to goals or scoring himself. Then he returns to his club even stronger,” Hassan added.
“He needs to win the cup by helping us and by helping himself.”
Egypt will also face South Africa and Angola in Group B at the Cup of Nations, with all three of their games in the first round being played in Agadir.
