A few hours before Denmark's second European Championship game, captain Simon Kjaer announced that the team will play for their teammate Christian Eriksen, who collapsed in the opening game, this Thursday evening (6 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the European Football Championship as well as on ZDF and MagentaTV) .
"Against Belgium we will step onto the pitch today with Christian in our hearts and minds," said Kjaer in a statement from the Danish Football Association published at noon.
“It gives us peace within and allows us to concentrate on football.” Playing for Eriksen and all of Denmark is the greatest motivation for everyone.
Touched and grateful
Kjaer provided first aid to Eriksen on Saturday after he collapsed in the game against Finland at the Copenhagen stadium.
“A shock that will forever be part of me - part of all of us,” explained Kjaer.
The 32-year-old former Bundesliga professional was proud of how the team reacted and behaved together.
Kjaer was touched and grateful for the support.
"The only thing that is important and really counts is that Christian is okay," emphasized the defender after "some very special days when football wasn't the most important thing".
Eriksen was now using a defibrillator.
The Danish association announced on Thursday.
This small device, similar to a pacemaker, is implanted in people who are at increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
That doesn't automatically mean that the 29-year-old has to end his professional career.