Horrific incident in 2009 sheds light on why Denmark’s players tried so desperately to end the game against Germany

The Danish national team was understandably cautious when a thunderstorm rolled in during their round of 16 match against Germany at the 2024 European Championships.

In the 36th minute of Saturday’s match at the Signal Iduna Stadium in Dortmund, both teams were sent off by referee Michael Oliver.

In addition to the heavy rain that soaked one corner of the stadium, several flashes of lightning flashed across the sky.

Due to bad weather, the game was temporarily interrupted, which must have been a relief for the players and coaches in the Danish camp.

In July 2009, Danish football player Jonathan Richter was struck by lightning during a reserve match for FC Nordsjaelland, resulting in cardiac arrest.

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand was assistant coach when Richter was struck by lightning in the game against Hvidovre.

As part of the Danish standard procedure for cardiac arrest, Richter was placed in a medically induced coma and cooled to 34 °C.

At the end of August 2009 – six weeks after the lightning strike – Richter and his medical advisors decided to amputate Richter’s left lower leg.

According to medical sources, Richter’s general well-being improved dramatically.

FC Nordsjælland retired Richter’s number 26 after he had to end his football career at the age of 24.