Norwegian soccer star Hoftun hospitalized

OSLO, Norway, June 25 (UPI) -- Norwegian soccer star Erik Hoftun was recovering in a hospital in the northern part of the country Monday after collapsing during a game.

Hoftun, who also serves as sports chief for Bodo/Glimt, was said to be doing well after falling to the ground just 20 seconds into Sunday's match, Aftenposten reported Monday.

The player's legs jerked wildly after he fell, the newspaper said.

The team's doctor said Hoftun, 38, had suffered heart failure and wasn't breathing when he was reached by medics on the field. However, he was revived by Bodo/Glimt doctor Bernt Inge Embra and rushed to a hospital.

Doctors said they believe a teammate's knee hit Hoftun near his heart during a collision on the field.

"He fell back and his head landed in a bad position that caused his tongue to cut off his air passage," Embra said.