A 25-year-old goalie passed away unexpectedly on Saturday night in West Flanders, Belgium, during a football game.
After saving a penalty kick in the second half of the game, Winkel Sport B goalkeeper Arne Espeel passed away suddenly.
The teenage goalie of Sint-Eloois-Winkel blocked the penalty kick, but he later passed out, according to a local news source called VRT.
“The ball was still in play,” assistant coach Stefaan Dewerchin of Winkel Sport B said. “Our goalkeeper got up as quickly as possible to get the ball, but he fell down afterwards. It was really terrible to see.”
The game was abruptly ended.
The emergency services arrived quickly and attempted to resuscitate the 25-year-old goalkeeper for half an hour.
Espeel was then rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
“The players all showered together after the incident and then we sat down in the canteen,” Dewerchin stated
“When the message came that our goalkeeper had died, what an unusually hard blow. I think some players do not yet realize what exactly happened.” Dewerchin added.
The cause of death has not yet been revealed. According to VRT, an autopsy will be performed on Monday.
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