Denmark, Belgium pause to honor Eriksen during Euro match

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku and Danish Simon Kjaer react during a moment to support Danish player Christian Eriksen, who suffered from a heart attack during Denmark's first Euro 2020 match. Belga

Denmark, Belgium pause to honor Christian Eriksen during Euro 2020 match

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/17/21

Just as Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku told reporters on Wednesday, personnel from both Belgium and Denmark, as well as the match official, paused during the 10th minute of Thursday's UEFA European Championship game to honor Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen.

Eriksen, Lukaku's teammate at Serie A club Inter Milan, suffered cardiac arrest during Saturday's game against Finland and wears the No. 10 shirt for Denmark. He is in stable condition at a hospital near Copenhagen's Parken Stadium, the venue for Thursday's fixture.

The game stops in the 10th minute for a round of applause for Christian Eriksen.

Bigger than sports @ESPNFC pic.twitter.com/6HPpEHouGP
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 17, 2021

Tributes for Eriksen began well before kickoff, as supporters representing both nations sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" to show their support for the playmaker. A massive "Eriksen" jersey was also displayed on the pitch.

You’ll Never Walk Alone rings around the stadium in support for Eriksen ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0tX84BjXL5
— Watch LFC (@Watch_LFC) June 17, 2021

The giant jersey for Denmark was dedicated to Christian Eriksen ❤️pic.twitter.com/YhpMqWD3kk
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 17, 2021

Très belle image avant Danemark-Belgique : un maillot d'Eriksen a été tiré sur la pelouse avant l'entrée des joueurs. #DENBEL pic.twitter.com/pcYbjTDGsR
— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) June 17, 2021

Belgium then presented Denmark with a No. 10 shirt signed by the team.

UEFA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Denmark vs Belgium

This is an autographed #10 shirt with the message "Christian, Get well soon" on it, in Danish

Image Credits: ESPN (United States) pic.twitter.com/FOjuW0crnk
— Variety World Hub - Portsmouth | Stay safe! (@VWHPortsmouth) June 17, 2021

Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen confirmed ahead of Thursday's match that Eriksen will have a defibrillator implanted at some point. It's unclear at this early stage of his recovery if the 29-year-old will return to playing professionally.

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