Soccer-Dutch defender Blind nearly decided not to play after Eriksen collapse

Netherlands defender Daley Blind considered missing his country’s opening game at the European Championship after the heart attack his former club team mate Christian Eriksen suffered on Saturday. But Blind, who had heart problems himself last year, decided to take to the field and broke down in tears after being substituted midway through the second half of the 3-2 win over Ukraine in the Group C match on Sunday. “Yesterday had a huge impact on me, never mind the fact that I know Christian well as a friend,” Blind said of the drama in Copenhagen where Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during Denmark’s match against Finland after suffering a heart attack.