Denmark's Eriksen Conscious in Hospital after Collapsing at Euro 2020

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand walks towards the Denmark players next to Christian Eriksen as he receives medical attention after collapsing during the match. (Reuters)
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand walks towards the Denmark players next to Christian Eriksen as he receives medical attention after collapsing during the match. (Reuters)
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Denmark's Eriksen Conscious in Hospital after Collapsing at Euro 2020

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand walks towards the Denmark players next to Christian Eriksen as he receives medical attention after collapsing during the match. (Reuters)
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand walks towards the Denmark players next to Christian Eriksen as he receives medical attention after collapsing during the match. (Reuters)

Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed while playing and was given CPR by medics during his side's Euro 2020 football match with Finland on Saturday, and the game has been suspended.

A Reuters photographer at the game saw Eriksen raise his hand as he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher, and the stadium announcer later told the crowd that he had been taken to the nearby Rigshospitalet.

The Danish DBU football association tweeted that the 29-year-old was "awake and at Rigshospitalet for further examinations".

The news that Eriksen had been taken to hospital was greeted by the crowd chanting his name. A decision about whether or not to restart the game will be announced at 1945 CET.

Eriksen collapsed suddenly in the 42nd minute of the match while running near the left touchline after a Denmark throw-in. Teammates Martin Braithwaite and Thomas Delaney rushed to assist him, with Delaney beckoning furiously for medical assistance.

As a hush fell over the 16,000-strong crowd, Eriksen's teammates formed a ring around him as medics pumped his chest just before halftime in their Group B clash.

Both teams subsequently left the field with officials holding up sheets to hide the stricken player from view, and the stadium announcer told fans that the game had been suspended due to a medical emergency and to stay in their seats.

The game was scoreless when Eriksen, who plays his club football for Inter Milan in Italy, collapsed.



Bencic Inspires Switzerland to United Cup Win over France

 Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates defeating France's Chloe Paquet in their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney on December 28, 2024. (AFP)
Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates defeating France's Chloe Paquet in their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney on December 28, 2024. (AFP)
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Bencic Inspires Switzerland to United Cup Win over France

 Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates defeating France's Chloe Paquet in their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney on December 28, 2024. (AFP)
Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates defeating France's Chloe Paquet in their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament on Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney on December 28, 2024. (AFP)

Former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic sparkled on her return to the elite circuit after her maternity break, leading Switzerland to a 2-1 win over France in the United Cup mixed team tournament on Saturday.

The 27-year-old beat Chloe Paquet 6-3 6-1 in her first WTA Tour level match since giving birth to daughter Bella in April. She later combined with Dominic Stricker to down the pair of Elixane Lechemia and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-1 7-6(4).

Bencic, who will compete in the Jan. 12-26 Australian Open with a protected ranking, said she was playing at a higher level than she expected.

"The whole comeback went much faster than I anticipated and expected. It's great," said Bencic, who first returned to action in October and played in the Billie Jean King Cup, apart from lower level tournaments.

"I didn't rush things. I was super careful with starting again. I didn't really want to put time pressure on my comeback. I just wanted to see how it goes every day.

"I think I was ready. There's no point in practicing more. It's boring, right? It's better to play competitive matches."

Ugo Humbert had earlier pulled France level at 1-1 with a 6-3 7-5 win over Stricker in the Group D contest, battling back from 2-5 down in the second set to prevail and force a mixed doubles rubber at the Ken Rosewall Arena.

Canada were also victorious in Group A of the 10 million tournament that features 18 countries, as they defeated Croatia 2-1 in Perth's RAC Arena.

Former US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez overcame Donna Vekic 6-4 6-3 before Felix Auger-Aliassime crashed to a 0-6 6-4 6-4 defeat by Borna Coric.

Fernandez and Auger-Aliassime then saw off Lucija Ciric Bagaric and Ivan Dodig 6-3 6-4 to clinch the tie.

Australia were in action against Argentina in Sydney while Greece meet Spain later in Perth.