Denmark, Belgium to honor Eriksen during Euro match

A message in support of Denmark's midfielder Christian Eriksen, who was hospitalized after he collapsed on the pitch during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group B football match. Xinhua

Denmark, Belgium to honor Christian Eriksen in 10th minute of Thursday's Euro 2020 match

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/16/21

Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku told reporters Wednesday that players will kick the ball out of play in the 10th minute of Thursday's UEFA European Championship match versus Denmark to honor Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, Lukaku's teammate at Serie A club Inter Milan, who suffered a reported cardiac arrest during Saturday's contest against Finland.

"We will kick the ball out for a throw-in to stop and applaud and mark this moment," Lukaku explained, according to an ESPN piece.

Supporters at Copenhagen's Parken Stadium are expected to join footballers and coaches from both nations in applauding the playmaker who wears the No. 10 shirt for Denmark and remains hospitalized.

Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand added he believes Eriksen will watch the match from nearby.

"It's really crazy, the hospital is right next to Parken, and when he looks out of the window he can see Parken and probably he can hear everything from Parken," Hjulmand said. "That's a crazy situation for Christian. But I think he'll be in his shirt and watch the game."

Lukaku opened the scoring in Belgium's 3-0 trouncing of Russia on Saturday and sprinted toward a camera to send a message to Eriksen.

"Chris, I love you," he shouted during the celebration.

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