COPENHAGEN, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Christian Eriksen returned to Parken, Denmark's national stadium, for the first time since suffering a cardiac arrest during a European Championship match against Finland on June 12, 2021.
Despite the fact that Tuesday's game was merely a friendly between Denmark and Serbia, it was clear from the start that the 35,010 celebratory spectators had a lot to say about welcoming Eriksen, now wearing the captain's armband, back onto the field where he fell last June.
"It is more than 200 days since he got the injury against Finland, and I think it is just a special occasion for Danish people to gather around him and celebrate that he is back on the pitch," Christian Leander Simonsen, an editor and spectator, told Xinhua.
To add to the anticipation of the largest attendance for a non-competitive match at Parken in 17 years, Eriksen promised a performance that would bring everything "back to normal" and give people "a new memory."
In the 57th minute, Eriksen received a pass at the edge of the area, took it cleverly into the box and resolutely hammered the ball home to make it 3-0.
Eriksen then joyfully slid on his knees towards a boisterous and delirious crowd that had been much quieter than many recent international matches up until that goal.
"It was fantastic to see him score that goal. It felt like it was 12 seconds into the game,and it was amazing," said Manus Hall, a 29-year-old engineering student.
During the events of last June, Eriksen became a talisman for Denmark, and despite his absence, his inspiration propelled the national team to the European Championship semifinals, and it appears his inspiration to overcome adversity is still very much alive within Danish fans.
"Many thought he would never play football again and yes, it is very inspiring for many young people, who had some injuries like Eriksen," said Emil Nielsen, a 17-year-old student outside the stadium. ■
