Thorbjørn Svenssen
Encyclopedia
Thorbjørn Svenssen was a Norwegian footballer, who played a record 104 international games for Norway
, and captained the side 93 times.
who played his entire career for his hometown team Sandefjord
.
At club level, Svenssen played 22 seasons for Sandefjord, but never won any major trophies (Sandefjord finished second in the league in 1955–56). However, he did play twice in the Norwegian cup
final (1957 and 1959), finishing on the losing side both times. His steady and solid play at the back earned him the nickname "Klippen" ("The Rock").
. He remained virtually ever-present in the national side throughout the next decade and a half. He was named captain in his 12th international (a friendly against Egypt on Christmas Eve 1948), and kept the captain's armband throughout the rest of his international career.
Svenssen won his 100th cap against Denmark
on 17 September 1961. At the time, Svenssen was only the second player in the history of football to reach 100 international appearances. The first was Billy Wright, who reached the milestone in October 1958. Svenssen's 104th and final cap came in a 2-1 win against the Netherlands
on 16 May 1962.
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...
, and captained the side 93 times.
Club career
Svenssen was a tall and strong central defenderDefender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who played his entire career for his hometown team Sandefjord
Sandefjord Ballklubb
Sandefjord Ballklubb is a Norwegian football club from Sandefjord, currently playing in Norwegian Fourth Division. Their home matches are played at Storstadion in Sandefjord....
.
At club level, Svenssen played 22 seasons for Sandefjord, but never won any major trophies (Sandefjord finished second in the league in 1955–56). However, he did play twice in the Norwegian cup
Norwegian football cup
The Norwegian Football Cup is the main knockout cup competition in Norwegian football. It is run by the Football Association of Norway and has been contested since 1902, making it the oldest football tournament in the country. The tournament is commonly known as Cupen or NM, an acronym formed...
final (1957 and 1959), finishing on the losing side both times. His steady and solid play at the back earned him the nickname "Klippen" ("The Rock").
International career
Svenssen made his international debut on 11 June 1947, in a friendly against PolandPoland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
. He remained virtually ever-present in the national side throughout the next decade and a half. He was named captain in his 12th international (a friendly against Egypt on Christmas Eve 1948), and kept the captain's armband throughout the rest of his international career.
Svenssen won his 100th cap against Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
on 17 September 1961. At the time, Svenssen was only the second player in the history of football to reach 100 international appearances. The first was Billy Wright, who reached the milestone in October 1958. Svenssen's 104th and final cap came in a 2-1 win against 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...
on 16 May 1962.