Posted on 01/05/2007 6:27:03 PM PST by WesternCulture
Henrik Larsson is one of the greatest footballers ever. He is rather tiny, in fact not very fast, but is all the same a master of the game he still is participating in in at the highest of levels, despite the age of 35.
On Sunday, he will play for the legendary club of Manchester United.
The article:
"I had a really good reception from the Manchester United players when I arrived on Friday. They seem like a good bunch of lads and it was very exciting to be shown around the club for the first time.
The facilities at Manchester United are fantastic, second to none, and the whole set up is fantastic. I walked out onto the Old Trafford pitch and it looked amazing. I just can't wait to get out there for real during a game.
This is a massive club, with a great tradition and I know that I will be with them during a really important time so it would be great if I can contribute something. There are a lot of fantastic, world class players here and I'm looking forward to getting the chance to play alongside them.
The chance to come here was one I thought about a lot, but in the end it was just an opportunity I could not turn down. To get a chance to play a role in a huge club like this is a great experience.
There was a great atmosphere at the match with West Ham on Sunday and it was nice to be a part of that. You always have a great atmosphere at British football grounds and that's great for the players.
On Monday I trained alongside the lads who didn't play on Sunday and then Tuesday I trained on my own and worked on a few things. My fitness is good but I know I have to be at my bets to perform at this level.
At the moment I have no idea when I will get a chance to play, but obviously I just want to be in the best possible shape so that I can respond whenever I am called upon. Although I will be with United from the start of January my registration will take a short time to come through so I won't be available for the first match. But the sooner I can play the better."
His story:
Larsson initially performed magnificently in Swedish Helsingborg and in the Swedish national team, but failed to make use of his qualities in Holland (admitedly a greater soccer nation than Sweden).
In addition, Larsson has always been haunted by these injuriy problems.
But you know what they say; "Anything that doesn't break you, will always build you up".
First he broke his jaw in the game in the game of European soccer.
Henrik Larsson came back.
Then he broke his shinbone right off (material featuring this incident can be found on the internet, but I wouldn't exactly recommend it to children).
Henrik Larsson came back and scored like never before.
In his mid 30's, Larsson joined Barcelona, perhaps the most prestigious club any soccer pro could wish to play for. He scored some goals for the Catalan club but later on completely demolished his knee.
Henrik Larsson came back.
Henrik Larsson did not only come back.
He won the Champions League for Barcelona by brilliant play.
Yes, Henrik Larsson is extremely admirable as a footballer/soccer player. Besides certain things mentioned above, he made the English realize that they just CAN'T beat Sweden.
At the last WC tournament arranged in Germany 2006, England and Sweden clashed in the glorious city of Cologne and Larsson, again, made the difference by his 2-2 goal (the English haven't defeated Sweden since 1968 although having been given several golden opportunities).
In Sweden, Larsson is known for promoting family values in an intelligent manner and is also admired for being a strong advocate for team values and individual maturity.
An example of the greatness of Larsson is when he, deliberately, stepped down from the opportunity of accomplishing a hat trick (scoring 3 goals in a game) in a very unselfish manner and allowed young Zlatan to score for Sweden through a penalty against Bulgaria.
Upon asked why, he responded:
- The team as a whole benefits when every forward is enabled of scoring.
Hail to you, King Henrik!
Probably not. But I am glad you and others enjoy it.
I used to love watching him at Celtic. An amazing goal poacher and probably my favorite player of the last ten years. I miss seeing him in green.
""...Will FReepers ever approve of soccer?..."
Probably not. But I am glad you and others enjoy it."
- Guess you're right.
Anyhow, Long live American and European friendship, despite the fact we're somewhat different.
Skål/Cheers from Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe.
Absolutely! We all have our issues to deal with, and I am absolutely as partisan as anyone, but I hope for better days, times and relationships.
I am optimistic by nature! Anyway...good luck to your "football" team, I will root for my "football" team (The Patriots...:)
This Freeper loves soccer, thanks for the video link.
Most Americans don't "get" soccer. It seems like a bunch of guys running back and forth, here and there, with very few scores being made. This will probably change over time since many more kids in the U.S. play the game now, and the increasing hispanic population will accelerate this trend.
Will Europeans ever appreciate American football?
Have you ever watched the Minnesota Vikings play? :)
Hail Hail KTF
an other Tim .. I had no idea we had so many on FR.
YNWA
"I used to love watching him at Celtic. An amazing goal poacher and probably my favorite player of the last ten years. I miss seeing him in green"
To begin with; Celtic is a great team.
The world knows this.
At first, when the fans took farewell of Larsson, he tried to resist the tears, but failed.
Some months later Larsson entered that magnificent stadium anew, this time as a striker with the aim of scoring against his former club, employed by Barcelona.
He did.
Then, he bowed down his head.
The honorable fans of Celtic uttered these words, more or less in silence:
"We forgive you, Henrik, you're only doing your job".
Henrik Larsson.
Known as "The king of Kings".
http://www.thekingofkings.co.uk/
Well, you have to admit that there is something about real football played with a pigskin!Shh! I won't tell the Muzzies if you don't.
Well, it would help if soccer could figure out how to let everyone know how much time is left in the game. Every other sport has figured this out; soccer ought to give it a try.
Also, I couldn't let this thread pass without quoting Hank Hill: "Soccer was invented by French women to give them something to do while their husbands cooked dinner."
Seriously, Sir Alex knows how to play to a crowd. He's made Manchester United famous both by being a great football club, and by creating a legendary aura around it. I suspect the invitation for Mr. Larsson to join the boys in red for a home game is part of that showmanship.
I'll approve of soccer when the "men" stop rolling around on the ground like whiny little michaeal jackson's whenever someone touches them with their pinky. Oh, and they should also let you know how much time is left in the game.
"(Will FReepers ever approve of soccer?)
Most Americans don't "get" soccer. It seems like a bunch of guys running back and forth, here and there, with very few scores being made. This will probably change over time since many more kids in the U.S. play the game now, and the increasing hispanic population will accelerate this trend.
Will Europeans ever appreciate American football?
Have you ever watched the Minnesota Vikings play? :)"
My father loves every kind of sport.
He enjoys American football and baseball just like he gets excited over ice hockey and european soccer.
I too like sports, but for some reason, until the age of 25 or something like that, I failed to grasp what great games you Americans actually have developed.
At that particular time, my father explained to me how American football all works and I got really fascinated. I understood the game featured on TV and got really sucked into the drama of it all!
I seldom watch it nowadays, but we still have it here on TV in Sweden (despite the fact it's, most often, only accessible through cable TV - sadly enough)
Salutations from the sport loving nation of Sweden!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmsAqO_QQFE
For better or worse, this Simpsons clip (above link) is probably the way most Americans see soccer. (Personally, I enjoy the sport).
i used to love arena socker cause it was fast and you can pass to Yourself off the basher boards, since the only out of bounds is when the ball goes over the wall.
"For better or worse, this Simpsons clip (above link) is probably the way most Americans see soccer. (Personally, I enjoy the sport)."
I've seen that one, I admit it amused me and I would also like to point out that you US Americans who view soccer as boring aren't mistaken.
It can be.
- Even to Europeans and Latin Americans.
However, what I believe is noteworthy here, is that in the field of sports, we sometimes find great personalities who, at the same time are impressing artists, but even more so individuals.
In places like New york, Chicago, Glasgow, Barcelona people work hard and yes, they're getting paid for it.
But that isn't enough.
When the weekend comes, many loyal souls nurtured by and nurturing these cities, wish to participate in a celebration of local "patriotism" they turnm to sports. Highly understandable.
Larsson honor people like that and therefore, he is widely honored.
Larsson has a SOUL.
+ the skills to pay the bills.
Download this compilation of amazing Larsson headers ONLY:
://www.gordoneverett.com/LarssonHeaderComp.wmv
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