Based on original stats by Adhitz-ZetsuName: Ole Thorbjørn Svenssen
Nickname: "Klippen (The Rock)"Country:
Norway
Club: Sandefjord Ballklub
Position: *
CBSide: RF/BS
Age: 21-26 years (22/04/1924)
Height: 190 cm
Weight: 86 kg
Attack:
60Defence:
90Balance:
93Stamina:
82Top Speed:
81Acceleration:
75Response:
84Agility:
72Dribble Accuracy:
74Dribble Speed:
70Short Pass Accuracy:
74Short Pass Speed:
71Long Pass Accuracy:
75Long Pass Speed:
73Shot Accuracy:
62Shot Power:
85Shot Technique:
63Free Kick Accuracy:
64Curling:
60Header:
85Jump:
81Technique:
75Aggression:
60Mentality:
87Goalkeeper Skills:
50Team Work:
80Injury Tolerance:
BCondition/Fitness:
8Weak Foot Accuracy:
5Weak Foot Frequency:
5Consistency:
7Growth Type:
Standard/LastingCARDS:S07: Man Marking
S08: Sliding Tackle
S09: Covering
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Marking - Covering - Sliding
Attack/Defence Awareness Cards: Defence MindedINFO:Appropriately nicknamed "Klippen" ("The Rock"), Thorbjørn Svenssen was a mainstay in the Norwegian central defence for more than a decade. The Sandefjord defender made his international debut in a 1947 friendly against Poland, and would go on to represent his country more than a hundred times. Overall, Svenssen won a record 104 caps for Norway, captaining the side 93 times - which is also a record.
As a player, Svenssen was, as his nickname suggests, a rock-solid central defender. Tall and strong, calm under pressure and perhaps a bit dirty when he needed to be, he had all the qualities required by a centre-back. He was also known for his leadership and his serious approach to training, and was in every sense a great role model for the younger players. Still, Svenssen could not carry the team on his own, and Norway were not a particularly good side in the 1950s. Part of the reason was probably the amateur rules at the time. While the other European leagues were adopting professional football, the Norwegian players were strictly part-timers.
At club level, Svenssen spent his entire career at his hometown club Sandefjord, where he played from 1945 to 1966. Through most of Svenssen's career, Sandefjord was among the better teams in the league, but never quite good enough to win any major honors. Their best league performance was second place in 1956. They also reached the cup final twice (1957 and 1959), but lost on both occations, which means that Svenssen failed to win a single medal in his otherwise excellent career.
On 17 September 1961, against Denmark, Svenssen played his 100th international. At the time, he was only the second player in the history of international football to reach the century mark (England legend Billy Wright, who reached the milestone in October 1958, was the first). He played four more games for Norway before bowing out in the 2-1 win against the Netherlands in May 1962, almost 15 years after his debut. As of 2011, his 104 caps is still a national record, and so far only two players (Erik Thorstvedt and Henning Berg) have come within touching distance of the record. Svenssen passed away in January 2011, aged 86, following a stroke.
Quote:
16 June 1947 started Svenssen the long list of A-caps with Ullevaal match against Poland and 34 000 spectators. He played center half and was captain in 93 matches. Respect for the Norwegian national team captain with the significant nicknamed "The Rock" was great among the many opponents he faced in the most diverse football arenas. He was uncompromising in his tackling, had speed, strength, technique, sight for the game, fitness and willpower. His last a full-cap, 16 May 1962 against the Netherlands, 2-1 victory and bone fractures Svenssen. Last match for home team in Sandefjord he played in 1965, but then it was definitely over, the Achilles tendon smoke.
Thorbjørn Svenssen was honored with the Norwegian Football Association gold watch after 25 caps and Association gold mark. He was captain of Sandefjord Ball Club's first team, where he played 237 matches; He is an honorary member of the club and honored with its gold mark. He also had considerable skills in bandy, speed skating and ski jumping, and he is the holder of the Norwegian Athletics Association sports brand statuette and mugs. In 1958 he published the book Captain for Norway together with Haakon Ringdal.