Turkey Under-21 Coach Egemen Korkmaz in Critical Condition After Collapse at Opus Arena

Turkey’s under-21 national team coach, Egemen Korkmaz, collapsed on the sidelines during their match against Croatia at Opus Arena and was subsequently taken to hospital in critical condition, according to local media reports.

The incident occurred around the 32nd minute of the game, shortly after Turkish midfielder Tiknaz, who plays for SC Braga, was sent off following a second yellow card. At that moment, Korkmaz was approaching the referee to protest the decision while removing his jacket. Unfortunately, he slipped on the wet pitch and fell, hitting his head on the ground.

Immediately after the fall, Korkmaz lay motionless, causing a tense and silent atmosphere among the spectators. His players quickly gathered around him as emergency medical personnel rushed onto the field to administer first aid. Despite being conscious when placed on a stretcher, his condition was described as critical. Resuscitation efforts were made on-site and continued as he was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Osijek. Two ambulances remained stationed outside the stadium during the emergency response.

Following the collapse, the match was suspended, and the Turkish players retreated to the locker room, anxiously awaiting updates on their coach’s health. The future of the game remains uncertain, with sources indicating it is highly unlikely to resume on the same day. If the match does not continue within the next 24 hours, organizers will need to arrange a new date to complete the fixture.

This incident has understandably cast a shadow over the fixture and raised concerns about the wellbeing of the coaching staff. The Turkish Football Federation and match officials are expected to provide further information as the situation develops. The priority remains the health and recovery of Egemen Korkmaz, while the scheduling of the match will depend on medical updates and logistical considerations.

As the teams await news, attention will turn to the next steps in the under-21 international calendar and the impact this event may have on Turkey’s preparations and squad management moving forward.