Vlatko Andonovski: “First thing is that we show solidarity. We’re all together in regardless of what happens.”(Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports)
No one, no coach or player, ever expects it to happen, when a player falls to the ground and shows little or no signs of life.
It happened Saturday when Danish midfielder standout Christian Eriksen collapsed during a Euro 2020 match verberated through the soccer universe Saturday.
“Moments of trauma are not easy, and there is no a certain recipe of how you should handle it or what you should do,” U.S. women’s national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski said during a Zoom media call Saturday. “First thing is that we show solidarity. We’re all together in regardless of what happens. When we’re united, we stick together we get through it a little bit easier. When we say we’re all together, this doesn’t go just myself in the end and the players this goes to the whole coaching staff, the whole supporting staff that is that is in camp, we deal with situations like this united.”
Eriksen, whose club team is Italian Serie A champion Inter Milan, was hospitalized as the match was suspended for 90 minutes before it resumed. Eriksen was in stable condition in a Copenhagen hospital, Danish team officials said.
Finland recorded a 1-0 win over Denmark.
“It’s hard for someone that is involved in sports and not just in sports, but anyone, not to have the thoughts on this moment,” Andonovski said. “”It’s unfortunate what happened, But I want to say that we’re happy to receive the word that he is stable, and in better condition now.
Andonovski said the team addressed it during and after training, and right after training.
“We were all in shock,” he said. “By the time we got into the hotel, we received the good news that is he’s stable. Our thoughts and prayers go to Eriksen, his family, and the whole nation of Denmark. We’re hoping for him to get better.”
