Name: Roald Jensen
Nickname: "Kniksen", “The Garrincha of the Nordics”
Country:
NorwayClubs: Brann, Hearts Of Midlothian
Position: *WF, SS
Side: RF/BS
Age: 20-24 years (13/01/1943)
Height: 171 cm
Weight: 63 kg
Attack: 82
Defense: 44
Balance: 74
Stamina: 79
Top Speed: 85
Acceleration: 91
Response: 75
Agility: 92
Dribble Accuracy: 93
Dribble Speed: 87
Short Pass Accuracy: 85
Short Pass Speed: 77
Long Pass Accuracy: 82
Long Pass Speed: 76
Shot Accuracy: 81
Shot Power: 80
Shot Technique: 81
Free Kick Accuracy: 72
Curling: 78
Header: 68
Jump: 73
Technique: 90
Aggression: 85
Mentality: 78
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 75
Injury Tolerance: B
Condition: 5
Weak Foot Accuracy: 7
Weak Foot Frequency: 6
Consistency: 5
Growth Type: Early/Peak
CARDS:
P03: Trickster
P07: Mazing Run
P10: Incisive Run
S14: Quick Turn
S22: Side Stepping Skills
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Dribbling - Tactical Dribbling
Attack/Defense Awareness Card: Attack Minded
INFO:
Roald Jensen, better known by his nickname "Kniksen", made his international debut aged only 17, and celebrated his 25th cap before he had turned 21, making him the youngest Norwegian ever to reach that milestone. Dubbed Norway's most talented player since Per Bredesen at the time, "Kniksen" was a quick, creative and technically gifted player like few other Norwegians before or after him, and despite his young age, the skinny Brann winger became an instant star at both club and national level. In fact, many would argue that he was Norway's only true star in an era when Norway was among the worst nations in Europe. He was a player who could dribble past an entire defence by himself, make inch-perfect passes to an unmarked forward, and was the key player when Brann won the Norwegian league in 1962 and 1963. However, the following season he would - like Bredesen before him - fall victim to NFF's amateur rule when he moved overseas.
Kniksen became a professional at Scottish club Hearts at the end of the 1964 season, and thus became unavailable for the national team. It's debatable whether this was a good career move for the player. The physical nature of the Scottish game certainly did not suit Kniksen, and the tricky little winger was battered and bruised, spending a lot of time on the injured list. In his seven seasons at Tynecastle, he played only 74 league games for the club, scoring 17 goals. Kniksen would no doubt have been better suited playing in a league with more emphasis on skill.
In 1969, the amateur rule was abolished, and Kniksen could once again play for his country. He would however, only play five more games for Norway. He returned to his old club Brann in 1971, and played three more seasons for the club before retiring in 1973. After leaving football, Kniksen worked as a banker.
Kniksen died of a heart attack in 1987 at the far too young age of 44. He died with his boots on, playing football with a group of old Brann teammates. After his death, a statue of him was erected outside Brann Stadion in Bergen. He was also honored by having an award named after him. The "Kniksen Award" is given out every year to an outstanding Norwegian footballer.