Jon Knudsen
Encyclopedia
Jon Knudsen is a Norwegian
professional football goalkeeper who plays for Stabæk. He has previously played for Lillestrøm SK, Strømsgodset IF, Skjetten SK, Kongsvinger IL
and FC Midtjylland
, and has been capped by the Norway
.
. He was discovered by the local club Lillestrøm SK, a Norwegian Premier League team, and represented Norway internationally on youth level, including at the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship
. In 1993 he was on a fruitless trial with AFC Ajax. The same year he was included in the first squad of Lillestrøm as a reserve for Norway international Frode Grodås
. In a Lillestrøm match against Ham Kam in June 1993, Grodås was injured before half time, and Knudsen made his senior debut. At the time Grodås was injured Ham Kam was behind 0–2, but they eventually won 4–3 after four goals by Petter Belsvik
. However, in the next game Lillestrøm defeated Molde 3–0. After four games Grodås returned from injury.
Seeing limited playing time, Knudsen was sent on loan
to Strømsgodset IF. Here, Knudsen suffered from a broken leg sustained in a match against Stabæk, where he collided with a teammate. Knudsen spent thirteen months away from football. He then spent time on loan to Skjetten SK and Kongsvinger IL
. He left Norway in 1999 for Danish team Ikast FS
, which in the same year was merged to form FC Midtjylland
. Already in January 2000 he left FC Midtjylland, after conceding eight goals in fifteen matches, for Stabæk in Norway, as a replacement for Frode Olsen
.
Knudsen quickly established himself in Stabæk's first team, being ever-present during the 2000 season
. However, he missed most of the 2001 season due to epilepsy
, after an epileptic attack in June. He returned to play 24 league games in 2002
and 21 league games in 2003
, out of a total 26. Since 2004 he has played every league game for Stabæk. With Stabæk he had previously won a Norwegian Premier League bronze in 2003 and silver in 2007, before being one of the key players in Stabæk's first ever Premier League title win in 2008.
During 2011, he lost his starting spot to Jan Kjell Larsen
.
. His next call-up came in the autumn of 2008 for a friendly match against Ireland
.
He made his international debut for Norway
on 11 October 2008 in a 0–0 draw against Scotland
. Keeping a clean sheet, he received praise for his play. National team manager Åge Hareide
was "impressed", although he was uncertain whether Knudsen would keep his first-team place on a long-term view. He did play again in the 0–1 loss to the Netherlands
four days later.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
professional football goalkeeper who plays for Stabæk. He has previously played for Lillestrøm SK, Strømsgodset IF, Skjetten SK, Kongsvinger IL
Kongsvinger IL
Kongsvinger Idrettslag is a Norwegian sports club from the city of Kongsvinger in Hedmark, founded in 1892. It is known chiefly for its football team for men, but also does or have done well in other sports.-Athletics:...
and FC Midtjylland
FC Midtjylland
FC Midtjylland is a professional Danish football team from Herning and Ikast. The team is a result of a merger between Ikast FS and Herning Fremad...
, and has been capped by the Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
.
Club career
Jon Knudsen started his career with youth football in his native LeirsundLeirsund
Leirsund is a village in the municipality of Skedsmo, Norway. Its population is 1,177, of which 83 people live within the border of the neighboring municipality Sørum....
. He was discovered by the local club Lillestrøm SK, a Norwegian Premier League team, and represented Norway internationally on youth level, including at the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship
1993 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Australia for second time from 5 to 20 March 1993. The 1993 championship was the 9th contested. The tournament took place in five venues: Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide....
. In 1993 he was on a fruitless trial with AFC Ajax. The same year he was included in the first squad of Lillestrøm as a reserve for Norway international Frode Grodås
Frode Grodås
Frode Grodås is a football coach and former national football team goalkeeper originally from Hornindal, Norway. Capped 50 times for his country, he participated at the 1998 FIFA World Cup as well as being an unused substitute at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.-Playing career:During his career he played...
. In a Lillestrøm match against Ham Kam in June 1993, Grodås was injured before half time, and Knudsen made his senior debut. At the time Grodås was injured Ham Kam was behind 0–2, but they eventually won 4–3 after four goals by Petter Belsvik
Petter Belsvik
Petter Belsvik is a Norwegian football coach and former player. With 159 goals in the Norwegian Premier League he ranks third in the all-time statistics, behind Harald Brattbakk. He has never appeared for the Norwegian national team....
. However, in the next game Lillestrøm defeated Molde 3–0. After four games Grodås returned from injury.
Seeing limited playing time, Knudsen was sent on loan
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
to Strømsgodset IF. Here, Knudsen suffered from a broken leg sustained in a match against Stabæk, where he collided with a teammate. Knudsen spent thirteen months away from football. He then spent time on loan to Skjetten SK and Kongsvinger IL
Kongsvinger IL
Kongsvinger Idrettslag is a Norwegian sports club from the city of Kongsvinger in Hedmark, founded in 1892. It is known chiefly for its football team for men, but also does or have done well in other sports.-Athletics:...
. He left Norway in 1999 for Danish team Ikast FS
Ikast FS
Ikast FS is a Danish football club currently playing in the Danish 2nd Division West. In 1999, their first team merged with Herning Fremad, to found FC Midtjylland and Ikast now operates as FCM's reserve team....
, which in the same year was merged to form FC Midtjylland
FC Midtjylland
FC Midtjylland is a professional Danish football team from Herning and Ikast. The team is a result of a merger between Ikast FS and Herning Fremad...
. Already in January 2000 he left FC Midtjylland, after conceding eight goals in fifteen matches, for Stabæk in Norway, as a replacement for Frode Olsen
Frode Olsen
Frode Olsen is a retired football goalkeeper with international caps for Norway.During his career he played for clubs like Viking F.K., Stabæk IF, IK Start and Sevilla FC...
.
Knudsen quickly established himself in Stabæk's first team, being ever-present during the 2000 season
Norwegian Premier League 2000
The final table from the Norwegian Premier League 2000 . 26 games are played with 3 points given for wins and 1 for draws...
. However, he missed most of the 2001 season due to epilepsy
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
, after an epileptic attack in June. He returned to play 24 league games in 2002
Norwegian Premier League 2002
The table from the Tippeligaen 2002 .26 games are played with 3 points given for wins and 1 for draws. Number thirteen and fourteen are relegated, number twelve has to play two qualification matches against number three in the first division for the last spot.-Final standings: P:...
and 21 league games in 2003
Norwegian Premier League 2003
The final table from the Norwegian Premier League 2003 . 26 games are played with 3 points given for wins and 1 for draws...
, out of a total 26. Since 2004 he has played every league game for Stabæk. With Stabæk he had previously won a Norwegian Premier League bronze in 2003 and silver in 2007, before being one of the key players in Stabæk's first ever Premier League title win in 2008.
During 2011, he lost his starting spot to Jan Kjell Larsen
Jan Kjell Larsen
Jan Kjell Larsen is a Norwegian football goalkeeper who currently plays for Stabæk.- References :...
.
International career
Knudsen was included in the national team squad for the first time in 2007, for a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match against MaltaMalta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
. His next call-up came in the autumn of 2008 for a friendly match against Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
.
He made his international debut for Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
on 11 October 2008 in a 0–0 draw against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. Keeping a clean sheet, he received praise for his play. National team manager Åge Hareide
Åge Hareide
Åge Fridtjof Hareide is a Norwegian football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of Viking FK.-Playing career:During his playing career, Hareide played for Hødd, Molde, Manchester City and Norwich City....
was "impressed", although he was uncertain whether Knudsen would keep his first-team place on a long-term view. He did play again in the 0–1 loss to the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
four days later.