Svein Mathisen
Encyclopedia
Svein Erling "Matta" Mathisen (30 September 1952 – 27 January 2011) was a footballer
from Norway. With the exception of a short spell with Scottish club Hibernian
in 1978, "Matta" played for IK Start throughout his career, where he won the Norwegian league title in 1978 and 1980. Mathisen was capped 25 times for Norway
, scoring twice, but many claim that he never reached his full potential for the national team.
Playing attacking midfielder
or striker
, Mathisen was a creative player popular among the fans in Kristiansand
, although there was a widespread feeling that he maybe paid too little attention to defensive play. In total he played 327 top-tier league matches, and scored 106 goals. Both numbers are club records, and when he retired in 1989 he also held the domestic "matches played" record. It has later been beaten by Ola By Rise
, Roar Strand
, Christer Basma
, Erik Hoftun
and Bjørn Johansen
.
In 2010, Mathisen was diagnosed with stomach cancer
, and began treatment for it, but he continued to play football and appear on television. In an interview with Verdens Gang
, Mathisen said the sickness had taught him to love the little things in life, and that he was optimistic about his recovery.
Svein Mathisen died in his sleep from cancer in the early hours of 27 January 2011, nearly six months after being diagnosed. His last public appearance had been at a local football tournament just a few days prior. Several football personalites expressed grief over his passing, and his old club IK Start cancelled all activities for the day.
Mathisen's son Jesper
is also a footballer, who plays as a central defender or defensive midfielder for IK Start. He is also a former under-21 international for Norway.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
from Norway. With the exception of a short spell with Scottish club Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in 1978, "Matta" played for IK Start throughout his career, where he won the Norwegian league title in 1978 and 1980. Mathisen was capped 25 times 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...
, scoring twice, but many claim that he never reached his full potential for the national team.
Playing attacking midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
or striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, Mathisen was a creative player popular among the fans in Kristiansand
Kristiansand
-History:As indicated by archeological findings in the city, the Kristiansand area has been settled at least since 400 AD. A royal farm is known to have been situated on Oddernes as early as 800, and the first church was built around 1040...
, although there was a widespread feeling that he maybe paid too little attention to defensive play. In total he played 327 top-tier league matches, and scored 106 goals. Both numbers are club records, and when he retired in 1989 he also held the domestic "matches played" record. It has later been beaten by Ola By Rise
Ola By Rise
Ola By Rise is a Norwegian football coach and former player. He is currently assistant coach of the Norwegian national football team. He played 18 seasons and 346 matches in the Norwegian Premier League.-Career:...
, Roar Strand
Roar Strand
Roar Strand is a Norwegian retired football player. He played as a midfielder at the Norwegian club Rosenborg. Strand has 42 caps for the Norwegian national team. He is the player with most matches in the Norwegian Premier League...
, Christer Basma
Christer Basma
Christer Basma is a Norwegian football coach and defender. He played 16 consecutive seasons and 350 matches in Norwegian Premier League, for Kongsvinger IL, Stabæk IF and Rosenborg BK. He is the player with the fourth most matches in the Norwegian Premier League, only surpassed by Roar Strand,...
, Erik Hoftun
Erik Hoftun
Erik Hoftun is a Norwegian former football defender, currently assistant director in Rosenborg BK.-Career:...
and Bjørn Johansen
Bjørn Johansen
Bjørn "Bummen" Johansen is a former Norwegian footballer, who played midfielder for Tromsø IL for most of his career. Johansen got his debut in 1987, and played for Tromsø I.L. until 1992. He moved to Viking F.K. in 1993, and stayed there for two seasons. In 1995, Johansen was back at Tromsø I.L.,...
.
In 2010, Mathisen was diagnosed with stomach cancer
Stomach cancer
Gastric cancer, commonly referred to as stomach cancer, can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, and the liver...
, and began treatment for it, but he continued to play football and appear on television. In an interview with Verdens Gang
Verdens Gang
Verdens Gang , generally known under the abbreviation VG, is a Norwegian tabloid newspaper...
, Mathisen said the sickness had taught him to love the little things in life, and that he was optimistic about his recovery.
Svein Mathisen died in his sleep from cancer in the early hours of 27 January 2011, nearly six months after being diagnosed. His last public appearance had been at a local football tournament just a few days prior. Several football personalites expressed grief over his passing, and his old club IK Start cancelled all activities for the day.
Mathisen's son Jesper
Jesper Mathisen
Jesper Mathisen is a Norwegian football player who currently plays for Start. Originally a striker, he has recently been playing as a defender. He has been on the first team since 2004, but only in the 2008 season has he been getting significant playing time, though as of September 2008 not yet...
is also a footballer, who plays as a central defender or defensive midfielder for IK Start. He is also a former under-21 international for Norway.