Christian Eriksen collapse: Denmark coach regrets restart v Finland

The Danish players were visibly shocked after the incident involving Eriksen

Denmark's Euro 2020 match against Finland should not have restarted after midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed mid-game, coach Kasper Hjulmand says.

"No, we should not have played," Hjulmand said on Sunday.

"Players have different reactions to shocks and trauma but we'll try to get back to normal as much as possible."

Former Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has called the decision to resume Saturday's game, which Finland won 1-0, "absolutely ridiculous".

Denmark are due to face Belgium on Thursday in their second match of the tournament.

Hjulmand added: "I get the feelings from the players that maybe the time is too short to try to play football again, but maybe we can use it as a force to get together and try to go out and do our best in the next match."

Eriksen, 29, is stable and awake in hospital after receiving emergency treatment on the pitch in Copenhagen. Denmark's team doctor said he suffered a cardiac arrest.

'No compassion'

Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 live the fact the Denmark players were given the choice to resume the match on Saturday evening or at noon on Sunday was "a ridiculous decision by Uefa".

"They should have tried to work out a different scenario and shown a little bit of compassion, and they didn't," he said.

The game was suspended before half-time after the former Spurs playmaker fell to the ground.

He was treated by medical teams on the pitch before being taken to hospital.

• Eriksen suffered cardiac arrest - team doctor

• Fabrice Muamba says Eriksen must focus on recovery

• The heroes who helped save Denmark's star player

After hearing Eriksen was conscious and talking, the players decided to get the tie finished on Saturday.

The Group B match restarted almost two hours after Eriksen collapsed, and Finland won 1-0.

Tournament organiser Uefa said it agreed to restart the match "following the request made by players of both teams".

But Schmeichel, whose son Kasper is the current Danish goalkeeper, said the players were put in a difficult position.

"That would be the worst two hours in my time in football," he said.

"Something terrible like that happens and Uefa gives the players an option to go out and play the game or come back at 12:00 on Sunday. What kind of option is that?

"The result of the game is completely irrelevant. I mean, how can you play?"

BBC pundit and former player Jermaine Jenas, who was playing for Spurs when Bolton's Fabrice Muamba collapsed during an FA Cup game between the two teams in 2012, said the decision to restart Saturday game did not make sense.

"We had a scenario where someone almost lost their life and as a former pro, I was just shocked," he said.

"There is no way that game should have been played last night. Not one player on that pitch was in the right mindset to be playing a game of football.

"It needed a day or two to let things settle down and to let people regather their thoughts."

Although Denmark's next game against Belgium is not until Thursday, Finland face Russia on Wednesday.

Hjulmand said after Saturday's game: "It was a traumatic experience. We talked about those feelings and it would've been OK to say 'no' if they didn't want to play.

"Some of them were not able to play, some were ready. It's not normal to play such a game when one of your friends is suffering with a heart issue."

Finland and Norwich striker Teemu Pukki said Saturday's match had been one of the most difficult of his career.

"We decided to do what the Danish team would decide and were ready to continue whatever decision was taken," he said.

"It was definitely not easy to come back to the pitch. But once we heard everything seemed to be fine, we started concentrating again on the game."