There were dramatic minutes on the sidelines: A medical emergency involving former Bundesliga winner Adam Szalai interrupted the Nations League match between the Netherlands and Hungary for more than ten minutes.
Suddenly everything else became irrelevant. The match between the Netherlands and Hungary in Amsterdam (4-0) was interrupted for almost a quarter of an hour on Saturday evening because former Bundesliga striker Adam Szalai collapsed on the support bench.
Referee Jesus Gil Manzano immediately stopped the game and the rest of the Hungarian support team placed a screen around the 36-year-old. Many players on the pitch watched the dramatic scenes with anxious looks, and some Dutch players let the ball circulate in the center circle.
After about 13 minutes, after the Hungarian team asked for their consent, things continued – directly with a handball penalty and the resulting 1-0 to the Netherlands after VAR intervention. Just before the game was interrupted, Hungarian Tamas Nikitscher touched the ball with his hand in the penalty area after a cross. As a result, the game went more clearly towards Oranje.
“Stable and conscious”
“Adam Szalai fell ill in the first minute of the Netherlands-Hungary match, but his condition is stable and he is conscious,” said the Hungarian Football Association via X in the first half: “A few minutes ago he was taken to the hospital. in ambulance Transported to Amsterdam hospital for examination.” National coach Marco Rossi later said: “Adam is no longer in danger, we wish him all the best.”
276-time Bundesliga player (54 goals for 1. FSV Mainz 05, FC Schalke 04, TSG Hoffenheim and Hannover 96) ended his career in June 2023 after a period at FC Basel and was part of a team Hungary’s training at the away game. in the Netherlands.
Szoboszlai: “We continued to play for Adam”
After the final whistle, Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai spoke about the impact the incident had on his team’s performance: “I don’t want anyone to have to go through what we had to do. We kept going playing for Adam. It’s clear that what happened had an impact on our performance that wasn’t enough today.”
Meanwhile, Braunschweig striker Levente Szabo was allowed to make his senior national team debut in unpleasant conditions when he was substituted after an hour. “Adam Szalai is a true role model. We hope he comes back,” Szabo said, but above all he dedicated himself to someone else.
Nagelsmann and former clubs wish him a speedy recovery
German national coach Julian Nagelsmann also said RTL: ”I hope he gets well again quickly. This is a former player with whom I have a very good relationship,” he said after the DFB team’s 7-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mainz, Schalke and Hoffenheim also contacted us via X that evening and wished their former professional a speedy and full recovery. “Our thoughts are with you, Adam,” the 05ers wrote.
How does witnessing a medical emergency affect players psychologically during a game?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Sports Medicine Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have an important topic to discuss, one that highlights the safety of athletes in high-stakes situations. Joining us is Dr. Lisa Grant, a renowned sports medicine expert. Dr. Grant, thank you for being here.
Dr. Lisa Grant (DLG): Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss an important and timely topic.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. Recently, there was a medical emergency involving former Bundesliga striker Adam Szalai during the Nations League match between the Netherlands and Hungary. What can you tell us about the protocol that should be followed during such incidents?
DLG: It’s critical that all sporting events have established protocols for medical emergencies. In Szalai’s case, you saw the referee halt the game immediately, which is a crucial first step. The medical team must quickly assess the situation, and they did well to create a safe space around Szalai while providing immediate care.
TNE: The game was interrupted for nearly 13 minutes. How significant is that time in terms of emergency medical response?
DLG: Those minutes are vital. In situations where a player collapses, every second counts. It’s essential to stabilize the athlete and transport them to a hospital if necessary. It seems Szalai was conscious and stable before being transported, which is a good sign. Quick, decisive action can make all the difference.
TNE: Once they were able to continue the match, it resumed with a penalty kick for the Dutch team. How does the disruption of play affect the players psychologically?
DLG: It’s a complex situation. Players are conditioned to focus on the game, but witnessing a teammate or opponent in distress can be jarring. It’s common for players to feel anxious or distracted during such an incident. It takes time for them to refocus. The fact that some Dutch players allowed the ball to circulate in the center circle shows their respect for the seriousness of the situation.
TNE: Adam Szalai was taken to the hospital afterward. What might the medical team be looking for in terms of assessments?
DLG: They would likely conduct a range of tests—checking his vital signs, performing neurological assessments, and possibly running imaging studies like a CT scan. They’re aiming to determine the cause of his collapse, which could range from cardiovascular issues to dehydration.
TNE: As a sports medicine expert, what measures do you believe teams should continuously implement to ensure athlete safety during matches?
DLG: Continuous education is key. Teams should have regular training on recognizing health emergencies, emergency action plans, and maintaining good communication between the medical team and coaching staff. Having an accessible, well-trained medical staff at every game is imperative too, as we’ve seen with the Szalai incident that emergencies can happen at any time.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Grant, for shedding light on this critical issue. It’s a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with sports.
DLG: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope we see more awareness and action toward player safety in the future.
TNE: Absolutely! Stay tuned to Time.news as we continue to cover developments not just in sports but also in athlete welfare.