CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN made an emotional return to Denmark training ahead of their last-16 clash with Wales following his release from hospital.
The midfielder, 29, collapsed in the first-half of his nation’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland after suffering a cardiac arrest, needing 13 minutes of CPR and even a defibrillator to keep him alive.
Eriksen underwent an operation to fit a ‘heart-starting’ device called an ICD to help prevent future problems.
Later that week, the Inter Milan ace was discharged from hospital in a major boost.
And now Eriksen has visited his Denmark pals at training ahead of their last-16 showdown with Wales.
Kasper Schmeichel revealed the visit of the former Tottenham helped ‘erase the image of him on the pitch’ following the shocking scenes of June 12.
The Leicester goalkeeper told CNN: “It was great to see him.
“That helped a lot of the guys I think just to see him.
“It helped erase the last image we had of him on the pitch.
“To see him in real life and to see that he was OK… it was really important.”
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After losing the opener against Finland, Denmark looked on the brink of exiting the tournament following a 2-1 defeat against Belgium.
But a 4-1 thumping of Russia saw them finish the group in second as results elsewhere went their way.
They now take on Wales in the last-16 and – should they win – take on the victor of Holland vs Czech Republic in the quarter-finals.
Denmark would then face one of England, Germany, Sweden or Ukraine in the semis, should they continue to progress.
As the Danes booked their spot in the last-16 by beating Russia on an emotional night in Copenhagen, boss Kasper Hjulmand wore a bracelet featuring a small, silver football in honour of Eriksen.
After the game, Hjulmand explained: “I have never gone with jewellery in my life.
“This is the first time I’m wearing jewellery. There is a little football on it.
“It’s Christian who’s here, so we want to take him with us.
“I had him with me all the way. I think about him a lot.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
