Denmark manager Brian Riemer breaks silence on Christian Eriksen collapse

An emotional Denmark manager Brian Riemer has addressed Christian Eriksen's on-field collapse against Ukraine, describing the incident as a "really shocking experience for everyone".

On Sunday afternoon, Eriksen fell to the ground in the second-half of Sunday's friendly at the Nature Energy Park in Odense.

The 34-year-old received treatment for approximately 13 minutes before getting back to his feet. Moments later, referee Sigurd Smehus Kringstad abandoned the fixture with around 75 minutes played.

It was later confirmed that a conscious Eriksen was taken away in an ambulance with wife Sabrina by his side.

Denmark's national team doctor Morten Boesen, who was credited with saving the midfielder's life when he suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, confirmed that his pacemaker "responded as it should" during the on-field incident.

After he collapsed on the pitch while playing at Euro 2020, Eriksen was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), a device designed to perform defibrillation when a person's heart rate exceeds safe levels.

Boesen added: "He was briefly unconscious, but regained consciousness very quickly, and we were quickly in contact with him. He will now undergo further examinations at the hospital to determine what caused the incident."

Speaking in an interview with TV2 Sport after the game was called off, Denmark boss Brian Riemer gave his initial take on the situation.

"It's a really shocking experience for everyone," he said. "The most important thing, of course, was initially receiving a report on Christian, which was handled fantastically by Dr. Morten Boesen, who was able to report that Eriksen was fine. That was the most important thing."

A short time later, Riemer gave a more detailed account of the incident as he spoke about the moments prior to Eriksen's collapse.

"Christian Eriksen waved to his teammates as he left the pitch. A few minutes before he fell ill, he had had a tussle with Ruslan Malinovskyi, and I thought that was why he looked so distressed, but I was wrong," said Riemer.

"From that moment on, neither I nor the players on the pitch could have carried on with the match."

He continued: “I’m looking forward to seeing him. I’m going over to see him now as soon as I have the chance. I need to see him and talk to him, I can feel that. He is a man who has meant a great deal to me.

“There are some players you become closer to than others, and he was one of those I became close to because of the experience he came with. And since then, we’ve also worked together with the national team, so he is someone I have a close relationship with and know very well."

Riemer added: "That is why it naturally sits very deeply with me."

After the referee blew the whistle to call the game off, players from both Denmark and Ukraine came together in a moment of collective solidarity with Christian Eriksen. pic.twitter.com/DwoXMaSxtW https://t.co/olvJbmEBW7

— HLTCO (@HLTCO) June 7, 2026

Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg opens up on Eriksen incident

In the aftermath of Sunday's game, former Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was also asked about Eriksen's on-field collapse.

“The most important thing is that Christian is okay and that his family is okay. We went into the dressing room and spoke a bit there," he told Danish broadcaster TV 2, as per OneFootball.

"Now you try to collect yourself and get the chance to talk things through with each other. Some people have questions, and others need to talk to their families. Some need to sit and listen a bit. That’s completely okay. It feels strange to say it brings back memories.

“The overriding thing is that the response was handled well, and that the medical staff had everything under control. And that the players showed respect, and that the fans showed great respect. It ended as well as it possibly could – given what happened. We are all deeply grateful for that, and that is the most important thing.

“It was a shock. The most important thing is that Christian is doing well. I think I need to see my children and my family. They are the ones I want to see."

Denmark were leading 2-1 when Eriksen collapsed. Patrick Dorgu and Joakim Maehle scored for the Danes, while Viktor Tsygankov had pulled one back for Ukraine just before half-time.