Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published on Monday, 08 June 2026, 00:33 / Updated on Monday, 08 June 2026 00:46
There were long moments of panic in the friendly between Denmark and Ukraine on Sunday night. In the 65th minute of the match played in Odense, Christian Eriksen (34) collapsed on the pitchafter he had brought his hands to his chest a few seconds before.
The game was abandoned immediately, and the hosts' medical staff intervened urgently, with the score 2-1 for Denmark. Fortunately, the Danish Football Association (DBU) later announced that the midfielder is not in danger, news that brought peace to both the Danish camp.
Images of the midfielder's collapse immediately brought back memories of the EURO 2020 drama when Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark's match against Finland. Now he was saved by the defibrillator that was implanted and thanks to which he was able to continue his career.
There are several reasons why a person with an implanted defibrillator, called an ICD, may collapse. This is stated by professor and head of research at the Danish Heart Association, Gunnar Gislason.
According to Gislason, an ICD can both try to stop an excessively fast heart rhythm with electrical impulses and, in some cases, deliver a shock if it doesn't work: “It can be quite intense, because it's like getting a shock with a regular defibrillator.”
Danish cardiologist researcher: “Other causes of collapse can be dehydration, low blood pressure or even an illness”
The cardiologist says that several patients have described the sensation as being hit in the chest by a horse. Gunnar Gislason is not informed of Eriksen's specific situation and therefore he speaks generally about implanted defibrillators.
The Danish doctor says there could be other causes of the collapse, including dehydration, low blood pressure or illness.
Gunnar Gislason, head of research at the Danish Heart Association, spoke about Christian Eriksen's situation / Photo: X
Eriksen left the field in Odense on his feet, and the national team doctor stated through the DBU that “the way he sees it, the pacemaker is beating as it should.”
It's an extremely shocking experience for everyone. The most important thing was, of course, getting news about Christian. The situation was handled wonderfully by Dr. Morten Boesen, who was able to tell us that Eriksen is fine. That was the most important thing. We are waiting for the results of the medical examinations
Brian RiemerDenmark's national team for TV 2 Sport
Gislason estimates that a very high heart rate during exercise can, in some cases, trigger a situation where the ICD responds.
He also explains that ICDs are usually checked once or twice a year and can be read after any episode.
