Revealed: The horror story of the Danish footballer who lost his leg in a lightning strike on the pitch, which explains why Denmark’s stars – who know and have worked with him

• Lightning interrupted Germany’s round of 16 match against Denmark at the 2024 European Championship
• There is a possible reason why Denmark’s players wanted the game to be stopped
• LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: It’s time to support England!

The round of 16 match between Germany and Denmark at the 2024 European Championship was temporarily interrupted due to a lightning strike over Borussia Dortmund’s stadium.

The Danish players were apparently determined to stop the game when lightning lit up the night sky.

It wasn’t long before referee Michael Oliver stopped play. The players went back to their dressing rooms, but play resumed just over 15 minutes later.

Football reporter Klaus Egeland explained why the Danish players reacted so strongly to the thunderstorm and wanted the game to be abandoned.

He explained on social media that many Danish players know Jonathan Richter, who was struck by lightning during a game in 2009.

He added that Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand had been his coach at FC Nordsjaelland and that Richter had lost part of his leg.

As the Guardian reported in 2009, Richter’s family confirmed that the lower part of his left leg had to be amputated six weeks after he was struck by lightning during a reserve game.

It happened on 20 July, when Nordsjälland played against Hvidovre. He was put into an artificial coma for ten days.

His number was no longer assigned by the club and he was forced to end his career at the age of 24.

The 39-year-old is a board member of the Danish club FC Graesrodderne, which plays in the fourth Danish league.

Thirty-five minutes into the match, and shortly after referee Michael Oliver stopped play, thunder could be heard in the background, broadcast by the ITV commentary team.

Dramatic-looking flashes of lightning could be seen lighting up the night sky above Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.

After standing on the sidelines for a few minutes, Oliver stopped the game and asked the teams to return to their respective dressing rooms.

Torrential rain poured down on the stadium at Signal Iduna Park, streaming down through leaks in the roof.

The weather, however, could not spoil the night for some Denmark fans, who were seen dancing at one of the two waterfalls that cascaded down onto the seats.

However, other fans sought shelter as they were completely soaked by the downpour.

During the break, stadium staff were observed sweeping water from the edge of the pitch.

After the lightning stopped and the rain subsided, the players were brought back onto the field to great cheers from the crowd.

After a five-minute warm-up, play resumed – about 16 minutes after the players were asked to leave the field.