The distressing sight of Christian Eriksen collapsing in Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland brought back painful memories for the city of Seville.
In August 2007, Sevilla star Antonio Puerta collapsed to the pitch after suffering cardiac arrest during a league match against Getafe. Puerta was able to walk to the dressing room but subsequently collapsed again and, despite being rushed to hospital, passed away three days later.
To the widespread relief of the sporting world, Eriksen was able to regain consciousness after being attended to by medics and is continuing his recovery under close supervision in hospital.
Eriksen’s life was saved due to the quick-thinking and heroic actions of those around him, with his national team captain Simon Kjaer – formerly of Sevilla – playing a vital role in the aftermath of the incident.
“A true captain who became a hero” wrote Marca of the defender, who “sprinted the length of the pitch and sprung into action.” Kjaer secured Eriksen’s neck, ensured his airways were cleared and started CPR prior to medics attending to the stricken teammate.
Kjaer then led his players in forming a protective ring around Eriksen, who was receiving life-saving treatment. Local newspaper Diario de Sevilla simply read: “Kjaer: a reason for pride”.
Sevilla’s long-serving sporting director Monchi told Spanish TV: “For Sevilla fans it brought us an unfortunate memory of Antonio Puerta. Fortunately, the effort made by the doctors had a happy ending and avoided the tragic news.”
ABC de Sevilla journalist Nacho Liaño tells i: “Sevilla fans watching Kjaer could not have been prouder.
“Kjaer would have arrived every day to train at the Sevilla facilities and pass by the statue of Antonio Puerta. All the Spaniards, not just those from Seville, had our hearts in a fist when we saw what happened to Eriksen, because we were afraid that history would repeat itself.”
Seville-based journalist and scout Carlos Pérez was part of the congregation of journalists who had travelled to Athens in 2007 for Sevilla’s European match against AEK – which was postponed following the news of Puerta’s death.
“Eriksen’s collapse brought to mind all of us in Seville what happened to Antonio Puerta,” Pérez says. “I will never forget the news of his death and how it affected us – the journalists – and the team, in Athens.
“Naturally, the game had to be postponed and we had to return immediately to Seville. For the entire flight, nobody was able to say anything.”
Kjaer has enjoyed a somewhat nomadic career across European football and made 64 appearances for Sevilla between 2017 and 2019.
Somewhat curiously, both of his La Liga goals came in derby matches against Real Betis and whilst his time in Seville ended trophyless, he helped his side reached the Copa del Rey final and Champions League quarter-finals in 2018 – the first time the club had achieved the latter in six decades, having memorably defeated Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
“Professionally, his spell here was exemplary, but his injuries prevented him from fully shining,” Sevilla’s press officer Jesús Gómez explains.
ABC’s Liaño agrees: “He was one of the defenders with the most minutes in the team, so the club and the coaches would have liked for him to continue. But there was a change in sports management and at Sevilla, there is often a large turnaround of players.”
Pérez believes that Kjaer’s signing by the Andalusian club “came at the wrong time” – with four different first-team coaches across his two seasons in a rare period of off-field instability.
“He had no luck at the club but his actions on Saturday in helping Eriksen, protecting him from the cameras and leading his teammates and comforting his family means that will be his lasting memory here,” Pérez says.
Liaño adds: “When Kjaer hugs Eriksen’s family, he is comforting the world of football. In the end, that is what a real captain does.”
Papu Gómez, the mercurial Sevilla playmaker who briefly played alongside Kjaer for Atalanta said on social media: “He is a real man. A great companion and a leader.”
Kjaer starred for Milan this season as the Rossoneri returned to Champions League football, whilst Eriksen was instrumental across the city as Inter won their first Serie A title since 2010.
The defender’s actions will never be forgotten by the fans of Milan’s great city rivals, with a banner from the club’s ultras reading: “Honour to Kjaer. A great man and captain.”
Regardless of what happens on the pitch, the life-saving actions of Kjaer will be the most significant moment of Euro 2020.
More from i on Euro 2020
- In praise of Emma Hayes, the best pundit at Euro 2020 so far
- Eriksen collapse has thrown a spotlight on football’s relentless thirst for more
- ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ showing he has perfect blend of silk and steel to be a star
- Where Schick’s strike against Scotland ranks among greatest Euros goals
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3pYoY4l
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