Revealed: The horror story of Danish footballer who lost his leg in an on-field lightning strike, which explains why Denmark stars – who know and worked with him – wanted to stop play

Germany’s Euro 2024 last-16 clash with Denmark was temporarily suspended due to lightning above the stadium in Borussia Dortmund.

Denmark players appeared to be keen for play to be stopped, once the night sky lit up by the strikes of lightning.

It was not long after that referee Michael Oliver suspended the game – with the players going back to their dressing rooms but resuming play just over 15 minutes later.

Football reporter Klaus Egeland has explained why the Danish players reacted to the thunderstorm in the way they did and wanted play to stop.

He explained on social media that a lot of Danish players know about Jonathan Richter, who was hit by lightning during a match in 2009. 

It could be explained by former Danish player Jonathan Richter who lost part of his left leg  in an on-field lightning strike

Germany’s clash with Denmark was suspended due to lightning above the stadium 

Sounds of thunder were heard over ITV’s commentary team, and not long after Michael Oliver ordered the players of both teams off the pitch

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, the family of Richter confirmed that he had the lower part of his left leg amputated, six weeks after he was struck by lightning during a reserve match.

It happened on July 20 when Nordsjaelland played Hvidovre. He was placed 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 Danish side FC Graesrodderne, who play in the fourth tier of Danish football

Sounds of thunder could be heard in the background over the ITV’s commentary team 35 minutes into the match, and not long after referee Michael Oliver stopped play.

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

After a few minutes of standing on the sidelines, Oliver suspended play and told the teams to go back to their respective dressing rooms. 

A Germany supporter is left drenched as he gets caught in the torrential downpour

Torrential rain poured down in a waterfall from the roof, though it didn’t mind two Denmark fans who were seen dancing

Stadium staff sweep water off the side of the pitch as the waterfall is seen behind them

Torrential rain poured into the stadium with showers seen pouring down through leaks in the roof at Signal Iduna Park. 

The weather didn’t ruin the nights of some Denmark fans however, who were seen dancing by one of the two waterfalls coming pouring down onto the seats. 

Other fans though hid for cover, as they were left drenched by the downpour.

Stadium staff were seen sweeping water from the side of the pitch during the break.  

Once the lightning had come to a stop and the rain slowed down, the players were brought back onto the pitch to a huge cheer from the crowd.

After a five-minute warm-up, play resumed – about 16 minutes after the players had been told to leave the pitch.