Kristian Henriksen
Encyclopedia
Kristian "Svarten" Henriksen (3 March 1911 – 8 February 2004) was a Norwegian
footballer and coach. As a player, Henriksen was a wing half
who played for Sarpsborg, Lyn and Frigg
. He also played 28 times for the Norwegian national team
.
At national team level, Henriksen was a member of the 1936 Olympic
squad that went on to win the bronze medals. However, Henriksen was a reserve, and didn't play in the tournament. Two years later, in the 1938 World Cup, he did play and was a member of the team that narrowly lost to eventual world champions Italy
after extra time.
Henriksen was known as the team joker. When Norway lost 10–0 against Sweden
in 1945, he is reported to have said, "Let's go for a draw, lads" after Sweden had scored their ninth goal.
Henriksen managed Vålerenga for two periods; once from 1947–48, and the second time from 1957–58.
Henriksen had a short and largely unsuccessful spell as national team coach in 1958 and 1959. Before his death in 2004, he was the last surviving member of the "Bronze Team" and the 1938 World Cup squad.
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...
footballer and coach. As a player, Henriksen was a wing half
Wing half
In association football, the position of wing half or wing half back) was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries...
who played for Sarpsborg, Lyn and Frigg
Frigg Oslo FK
Frigg Oslo Fotballklubb is a Norwegian sports club from Majorstua in Oslo. It has sections for association football and bandy.It was founded on 17 May 1904 as SK Frigg, named after Frigg of Norse mythology. It was merged on 21 April 1954 with SK Varg. It took the name Frigg Oslo FK in 1990. The...
. He also played 28 times for the Norwegian national team
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...
.
At national team level, Henriksen was a member of the 1936 Olympic
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
squad that went on to win the bronze medals. However, Henriksen was a reserve, and didn't play in the tournament. Two years later, in the 1938 World Cup, he did play and was a member of the team that narrowly lost to eventual world champions Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
after extra time.
Henriksen was known as the team joker. When Norway lost 10–0 against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
in 1945, he is reported to have said, "Let's go for a draw, lads" after Sweden had scored their ninth goal.
Henriksen managed Vålerenga for two periods; once from 1947–48, and the second time from 1957–58.
Henriksen had a short and largely unsuccessful spell as national team coach in 1958 and 1959. Before his death in 2004, he was the last surviving member of the "Bronze Team" and the 1938 World Cup squad.