STUTTGART, Germany: As Denmark got ready to take the field for their Euro 2024 opening clash with Slovenia on Sunday, broadcasters around the world flashed back to three years ago when midfielder Christian Eriksen almost lost his life in very similar circumstances.
On that occasion, 1,100 days ago, the Danes were also favourites, taking on a Finland side making their first appearance at a major finals, but none of that mattered when Eriksen, then 29, slumped to the turf after suffering a cardiac arrest as his partner watched horrified from the stands.
Remarkably, both he and Denmark recovered, with Eriksen having a device to regulate his heart fitted and his team mates going on a storied run to the Euro semi-finals, where they lost to England in the first of many new chapters written since.
"This time at the Euros, my story is very different to last time. Luckily there's been a lot of games since it happened. I felt confident going into this game and I was just happy to be playing," the softly-spoken Eriksen said after scoring in his side's 1-1 draw with Slovenia.
After almost losing his life on that June evening in Copenhagen, Eriksen was soon back playing, and he scored two minutes after returning to the national team in a game against the Netherlands in March 2022.
On Sunday, he was back pulling the strings in the centre of Denmark's midfield as if nothing had ever happened, scoring the opening goal in the 17th minute.
"I was very pleased (to score). I did have in mind that I hadn't scored at a Euros, so obviously that was on my mind - but nothing else but football was on my mind," he said.