International Football
Eriksen Suffers Fresh Collapse During Denmark Friendly, Reviving Memories of Euro 2020 Ordeal
Denmark’s football community was left shaken once again on Sunday after midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed during an international friendly against Ukraine, five years after his dramatic cardiac arrest during the European Championship.
The 34-year-old playmaker fell to the turf 20 minutes into the second half of Denmark’s friendly match against Ukraine, prompting immediate concern among players, officials and supporters who recalled the harrowing scenes from Euro 2020.
The Danish Football Association (DBU) later reassured fans that Eriksen was conscious and in stable condition.
“Christian Eriksen is conscious and is doing well under the circumstances,” the federation said in a statement posted on the social media platform X, confirming that the match had been abandoned.
Television footage showed Eriksen clutching his chest moments before collapsing, triggering a swift response from medical personnel. As had happened during Denmark’s European Championship match against Finland in Copenhagen in 2021, players from both teams quickly formed a protective ring around him while medics attended to him on the pitch.
Eriksen was eventually able to walk unaided to an ambulance before being transported to hospital for further examination.
DBU doctor Morten Boesen said the midfielder had recovered consciousness quickly and was communicating normally.
“Christian is doing well and walked from the field himself. As I see it, the pacemaker is working as it should,” Boesen told Danish media.
“He was briefly gone, but very quickly regained consciousness, and we were quickly in contact with him. He will now be examined further in the hospital to find out what caused the incident.”
Boesen added that Eriksen had asked him to reassure teammates that he was okay.
The incident inevitably revived memories of June 12, 2021, when Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening match of the European Championship against Finland. On that occasion, medical staff performed life-saving CPR on the field before he was rushed to hospital.
Following the incident, Eriksen was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD), a device designed to monitor heart rhythms and deliver corrective electrical impulses when necessary. He subsequently resumed his professional career and returned to international football, becoming an inspirational figure in the sport.
Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg described the shock felt by players as they witnessed Sunday’s incident unfold.
“There is a throw-in, and then I go out to the side and turn around, and I see Christian on his way to the floor,” Højbjerg told Danish broadcaster TV2.
“Everyone reacted super-fast and with respect. I can only compliment the courage shown by those who took care of Christian on the field. The most important thing is that Christian is doing well.”
At the time the match was halted, Denmark were leading Ukraine 2-1. Neither nation qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After officials called off the game, players and coaching staff from both teams gathered arm in arm in a circle at midfield in a show of solidarity.
Denmark coach Brian Riemer praised the dignified response of everyone involved.
“The most important thing is that Christian is doing well, and he has sent his regards to the players,” Riemer said.
“Now it’s about us standing together, as you could see that we did in the most dignified way on the field. It is about supporting one another and ensuring that everyone has a shoulder to lean on.”
As Danish football awaits further medical updates, Sunday’s events served as a stark reminder of one of the sport’s most frightening moments and highlighted once again the unity and compassion that can emerge in times of crisis.
By Kunle Solaja.
This Wednesday’s international friendly between Nigeria and Poland offers both nations a chance to begin rebuilding after narrowly missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Super Eagles and the White-Reds both fell at the final hurdle of their respective playoff campaigns, leaving them with unfinished business as they prepare to meet in Warsaw.
Nigeria reached the African playoff final after overcoming Gabon but suffered heartbreak in a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo. Poland’s hopes were dashed in equally dramatic fashion as they defeated Albania before losing 3-2 to Sweden in the UEFA playoff final.
With World Cup dreams postponed, both sides are now focused on laying foundations for future competitions.
Both have met just once in the past, with Nigeria famously snatching a 1-0 win in a March 2018 friendly match. Victor Moses ’ 61st-minute penalty kick goal was the decider in the match in which Robert Lewandowski captained the Polish side.
For Nigeria, Wednesday’s match also presents an opportunity to maintain momentum after an encouraging run of results under Eric Chelle. The Super Eagles arrive in Warsaw unbeaten in their last five matches, including convincing victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica en route to retaining the Unity Cup.
Poland’s recent form has been less convincing. Following a 2-2 friendly victory over Malta and a playoff win against Albania, they have suffered defeats to Sweden and Ukraine.
The match will also revive memories of the nations’ only previous meeting in March 2018, when Victor Moses’ penalty secured a 1-0 victory for Nigeria in Wroclaw ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Seven years later, both teams meet again under different circumstances but with the same objective — restoring confidence and building momentum for the future.
NIGERIA’S LAST FIVE MATCHES
Egypt 0 Nigeria 0 (AFCON third-place match: 17/01/26) – Nigeria win after penalty shootout
Iran I Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 27/03/26)
Jordan 2 Nigeria 2 (International Friendly: 31/03/26)
Nigeria 2 Zimbabwe 0 (Unity Cup 2026: 26/05/26)
Jamaica 0 Nigeria 3 (Unity Cup 2026: 30/05/26)
POLAND’S LAST FIVE MATCHES
Poland 1 Netherlands 1 (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 14/11/25)
Malta 2 Poland 3 (2026 World Cup Qualifier: 17/11/25)
Poland 2 Albania 1 (2026 World Cup Playoff: 26/03/26)
Sweden 3 Poland 2 (2026 World Cup Playoff: 31/03/26)
Poland 0 Ukraine 2 (International Friendly: 31/05/26)
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By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will put an impressive unbeaten run on the line when they face Poland in an international friendly in Warsaw on Wednesday, with head coach Eric Chelle determined to further entrench a winning mentality within the squad.
Since suffering a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in Cairo on December 16, 2025, in a pre-Africa Cup of Nations friendly, Nigeria have gone 11 matches without losing in regulation time. Their only setback during that period came in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against hosts Morocco, where they bowed out after a penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw.
The remarkable sequence has seen the Super Eagles defeat Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique and Algeria on their way to the AFCON semi-finals before overcoming Egypt in a third-place play-off decided by penalties. More recently, they recorded victories over Iran, Zimbabwe and Jamaica, while drawing with Jordan, to underline their growing consistency under Chelle.
According to a statement issued by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Franco-Malian coach remains focused on building a culture of success within the national team despite the challenges posed by the off-season timing of the match.
Speaking after Monday’s training session in Warsaw, Chelle noted that many players had already entered their holiday period following the conclusion of domestic and club competitions but insisted that standards must not drop.
“There is a culture of winning that we are trying to build in this team, and that mentality is important,” Chelle said.
“You can say that it is difficult to have games at this time because the players have been in holiday mood for about two weeks, but the job must be done.
“We have 18 players in camp now, and we will work with that. Everybody must work hard, and we will go into the match with the determination to win.”
Nigeria arrive in Poland buoyed by their recent Unity Cup triumph in London, where they defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in the semi-finals before brushing aside Jamaica 3-0 in the final to lift the trophy.
The encounter offers Chelle another opportunity to assess his squad and reinforce his philosophy as preparations continue for future competitive assignments, including the ongoing quest for qualification to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Poland, meanwhile, will be seeking a response after a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Ukraine in their last friendly outing. The hosts are expected to provide a stern test for the Super Eagles as both sides continue their World Cup preparations.
For Nigeria, however, the focus remains on extending a run that has steadily restored confidence and belief within the squad since Chelle took charge, with the coach determined that every match should reinforce the winning culture he is striving to establish.
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International Football
Super Eagles Begin Poland Preparations as Ndidi Leads First Training Session in Warsaw
Nigeria’s preparations for Wednesday’s international friendly against Poland gathered momentum on Monday evening, with captain Wilfred Ndidi leading 15 other players in the team’s first training session in Warsaw.
The three-time African champions arrived in the Polish capital fresh from their successful Unity Cup title defence in London and wasted no time getting down to business ahead of the clash at the 58,000-capacity Stadion PGE Narodowy.
A total of 16 players took part in the 80-minute session conducted by head coach Eric Chelle under light rain at the Stadion Polonii Warszawa.
Among those present were goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo; defenders Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Emmanuel Fernandez and Igoh Ogbu; midfielders Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika and Tochukwu Nnadi; and forwards Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Jerome Akor Adams, Terem Moffi and Rafiu Durosinmi.
Defender Semi Ajayi, whose Hull City side recently secured promotion back to the English Premier League, arrived in camp after lunch and received a warm welcome from teammates. Fresh invitee Abdullahi Bewene also checked into camp but did not participate in Monday’s session.
Nigeria will hold their official training at the match venue on Tuesday before facing the White-Reds on Wednesday.
The encounter marks only the second senior international meeting between the two countries. Their first clash came in March 2018 when Victor Moses scored the only goal as the Super Eagles defeated Poland 1-0 in Wroclaw in a pre-World Cup friendly.
Both teams head into Wednesday’s fixture seeking a positive response after narrowly missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria defeated Gabon before losing to DR Congo on penalties in the African playoff final, while Poland overcame Albania but fell 3-2 to Sweden in the European playoff decider.
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