Egemen Korkmaz: Turkey U21 Coach Collapses During Match – Health Update & TFF Statement

Osijek, Croatia – A concerning incident unfolded during Tuesday’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying match between Turkey and Croatia, as Turkey U-21 national team manager Egemen Korkmaz collapsed on the sidelines. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has since released a statement confirming the incident and providing an update on Korkmaz’s condition.

The incident occurred in the 35th minute of the match, played at the Opus Arena in Osijek. According to reports, Korkmaz appeared agitated following a refereeing decision and was walking towards the bench when he slipped and fell, striking his head on the ground. The fall prompted immediate concern from players and staff on both sides, leading to a temporary stoppage of play.

Initial reports indicated Korkmaz briefly lost consciousness after the impact. Medical personnel rushed to his aid, and an ambulance entered the pitch to transport him to a local hospital for further evaluation. A tweet from Tivibu Spor confirmed Korkmaz was hospitalized but remained conscious.

Ümit Milli Takımımız Teknik Direktörü Egemen Korkmaz, hastaneye kaldırıldı.

Egemen Korkmaz’ın bilinci yerinde.

Geçmiş olsun Egemen Korkmaz! pic.twitter.com/mNIdZ1UNzO

— Tivibu Spor (@tivibuspor) March 31, 2026

The match was delayed for 12 minutes to allow for medical attention and to allow both teams to return to the locker room, as directed by the referee. The delay added significant tension to an already important qualifying match for the 2027 UEFA European U-21 Championship.

The TFF released a statement detailing the incident, confirming that Korkmaz lost consciousness after hitting his head during the fall. The statement as well noted that Korkmaz suffered a swelling on his head and received initial treatment from the team’s medical staff on the sidelines. Crucially, the TFF confirmed that Korkmaz was conscious when transported to the hospital for further checks.

“Our U-21 National Team Coach Egemen Korkmaz lost consciousness after slipping and hitting his head on the ground in the 35th minute of today’s UEFA European U-21 Championship group stage qualifying match against Croatia at Opus Arena in Osijek,” the TFF statement read. “Korkmaz, who developed a swelling on his head as a result of the fall, received first aid from our medical team on the sidelines. Our coach, who is conscious and is being taken to the hospital for check-ups, we wish him a speedy recovery.”

The incident occurred shortly after Turkey’s Demir Ege Tıknaz received a second yellow card, resulting in a red card and leaving Turkey to play with ten men. Korkmaz reportedly reacted strongly to the decision before the unfortunate fall. The sequence of events added to the drama of the match, which was already poised to be a challenging contest for the young Turkish side.

While the focus remains on Korkmaz’s health and well-being, the incident also raises questions about the pressures faced by coaches at all levels of the game. The intensity of modern football, combined with the high stakes of international qualifying matches, can create a stressful environment for those in charge. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the physical and emotional toll the sport can take.

As of this writing, there has been no further update on Korkmaz’s condition beyond the TFF’s initial statement. The team will undoubtedly be rallying around their coach, and his absence will be felt keenly should he be unable to continue in his role. The match itself resumed after the delay, but the focus understandably remained on the health of the Turkish manager.

The Turkish U-21 team faces a crucial qualifying campaign for the 2027 UEFA European U-21 Championship. This incident adds an unexpected layer of complexity to their efforts, and the team will need to demonstrate resilience and unity in the face of adversity. The next steps for the team will depend on the severity of Korkmaz’s condition and the TFF’s decision regarding interim leadership.

Archysport will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. We extend our best wishes to Egemen Korkmaz for a full and speedy recovery.