- Lightning interrupted Germany’s Euro 2024 round of 16 clash with Denmark
- There is a potential reason why Denmark players wanted the game to stop
- Listen to It’s all starting! EURO DIARY: It’s time to support England!
The Euro 2024 round of 16 clash between Germany and Denmark has been temporarily suspended due to a lightning strike at Borussia Dortmund’s stadium.
Denmark’s players seemed eager for play to stop once the night sky lit up with lightning.
It wasn’t long after referee Michael Oliver suspended the match that the players returned to their locker rooms, but resumed play just over 15 minutes later.
Football journalist Klaus Egeland explained why the Danish players reacted in such a way to the storm and wanted the game to be stopped.
He explained it on social media Many Danish players know about Jonathan Richter, who was struck by lightning during a match in 2009.
Denmark’s players were eager to leave the field when lightning struck Dortmund during their match against Germany.
It could be explained by former Danish player Jonathan Richter, who lost part of his left leg when lightning struck the field.
Germany’s match against Denmark was suspended due to a lightning strike at the stadium
Thunder rumbles were heard from the ITV commentary team and shortly afterwards Michael Oliver ordered players from both teams to leave the field.
He added that Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand was his coach at FC Nordsjaelland and that Richter lost part of his leg.
As reported by the guardian In 2009, Richter’s family confirmed that his lower left leg had been amputated, six weeks after he was struck by lightning during a reserve match.
It happened on July 20, when Nordsjaelland played Hvidovre. The player was in an induced coma for ten days.
His number was retired by the club and he was forced to retire at the age of 24.
Now 39, he works on the board of directors of Danish club FC Graesrodderne, which plays in the fourth division of Danish football.
Thunder was heard in the background above the ITV commentary team 35 minutes into the match, and shortly after referee Michael Oliver stopped play.
Spectacular-looking lightning bolts could be seen over the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, lighting up the night sky.
After a few minutes of standing on the sidelines, Oliver suspended play and ordered the teams to return to their respective locker rooms.
German fan soaked after being caught in torrential downpour
Torrential rain cascaded down from the roof, but it didn’t matter to two Denmark fans who were seen dancing.
Stadium staff sweep water off the side of the field as the waterfall is seen behind them
Torrential rain fell on the stadium with showers falling through leaks in the roof of Signal Iduna Park.
The weather did not spoil the evening for some Danish fans, who were seen dancing next to one of the two waterfalls that fell on the seats.
Other fans, however, took cover as they were soaked by the downpour.
Stadium staff were seen sweeping water from the side of the field during half-time.
Once the lightning stopped and the rain stopped, the players returned to the field to great cheers from the crowd.
After a five-minute warm-up, play resumed, some 16 minutes after the players were ordered to leave the field.
