| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Preben Elkjær Larsen | ||
| Date of birth | 11 September 1957 | ||
| Place of birth | Copenhagen, Denmark | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Retired | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1963–1973 | Frederiksberg Boldklub | ||
| 1973–1974 | KB | ||
| 1974–1975 | Frederiksberg Boldklub | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1976 | Vanløse | 15 | (7) |
| 1977–1978 | Köln | 9 | (1) |
| 1978–1984 | Lokeren | 190 | (98) |
| 1984–1988 | Hellas Verona | 130 | (48) |
| 1988–1990 | Vejle | 39 | (12) |
| National team | |||
| 1977–1988 | Denmark | 69 | (38) |
| *
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league
only. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
Preben Elkjær Larsen (born 11 September 1957) is a Danish former professional football player, simply referred to as Preben Elkjær. He was a striker and his aggressive style of play was well combined with the calmness and vision of the younger Michael Laudrup when they played side by side on the Danish national team from 1982–1988.
In 1984 he finished 3rd and in 1985 2nd in the Ballon D'or awards, both times surpassed by Michel Platini.
Elkjær was known as a notorious smoker — to much dismay for his varying coaches. His playing style, though, was not short of breath, and was dominated by a rock-like determination. He never seemed to give up on a lost ball — from time to time resulting in a goal, when the opponent had deemed the ball over the line and out of play, only to see Elkjær chase it down.
He is one of the few players in the history of football who combined a tank-like physique with great dribbling abilities. Going on his own was one of his trademarks, sometimes to the frustration of his team mates, though more often to their joy, as he would often win a game all on his own. His aggression was matched by few and whenever he would receive the ball with his back to the goal he would immediately turn with the ball and attempt to head for goal. His shear will and determination mixed with his marvellous abilities made him a true inspiration for his team mates and a fan-favorite wherever he would play.
Contents |
Preben Elkjær's career started with Vanløse in Denmark in 1976, where he stayed for just one season, playing 15 games and scoring seven goals.
He then joined 1. FC Köln in Germany which at the time was one of Europe's leading clubs. He never got on with the manager or the harsh, disciplined atmosphere of a German dressing room, and Elkjær's stay proved short-lived and not particularly successful.
One falling out with the legendary German coach Hennes Weisweiler has earned a legendary status in Denmark. Weisweiler approached Elkjær and said that he had been informed that Elkjær had spent the night at a nightclub in the company of a bottle of whiskey and a lady and wanted to know it that was true. Elkjær replied that it was a lie, in fact it was a bottle of vodka and TWO ladies.[1]
In February 1978, Elkjær moved to Lokeren in Belgium where he stayed for five years, the longest period he spent at any one club during his career.
At Lokeren Elkjær earned two nicknames: Chefen fra Lokeren (Lit: The Boss from Lokeren) and Den Gale Mand fra Lokeren (Lit: The Crazy Man from Lokeren)[2]
From 1984 to 1988, Elkjær played for Verona in Italy, and in his first season with the team he played an instrumental role in winning the only Serie A title, the scudetto, in the history of Verona. Also in his first season Elkjær became a legend in Italy, when he scored against Juventus after a solo-run where he had lost his right-foot boot but continued dribbling and finally put the ball into the net.
Elkjær's final club was Vejle back in Denmark. He came to the club as the biggest star in Danish football but he had a hard time living up to the high expectations of the crowds and never really achieved great success there. He stayed at Vejle for two years until his retirement in 1990.
At international level, Elkjær made his international debut for Denmark on 22 June 1977, aged 19 years 284 days, at home against Finland, scoring both goals in a 2–1 win for his country. He played a prominent role in the UEFA Euro 1984, scoring two goals for the Danish team which paved the way for his move to Italian football. During the tournament the Danes looked promising, and played attractive attacking football, but they went out at the semi-final stage, losing to Spain on penalties. Elkjær most famously missed his penalty kick, sending the ball high over the goal. Elkjær then played in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, where Denmark surprised many observers by progressing from the first round before being once again knocked out by Spain. In that tournament Elkjær scored four goals, including a hat-trick against Uruguay. He won the adidas Bronze Ball as the third best player in the tournament. In 1988, Elkjær received the last cap for his country on 14 June 1988, aged 30 years 277 days, when Denmark lost 2–0 to West Germany in the Euro 88 tournament. In total, he played 69 times for Denmark and scored 38 goals, and became one of the most loved footballers Denmark has ever seen. Elkjær had a famously no-nonsense and spirited approach to his role as a fox-in-the-box always lurking for a scoring opportunity. This coupled with a broad grin and cheeky humour endeared him to the crowds — if not the referees — and to this day he is regarded of as one of Scandinavia's all-time greatest forwards.
After his retirement from playing, Elkjær in 1995 took on the job as head coach of Silkeborg in the Danish Superliga. However, on 19 November 1996 Elkjær announced his decision to head new TV sports channel TVS, a project formed in corporation between national TV stations DR and TV2, the Danish FA (DBU) and telecompany Tele Danmark. The station did not become a success, and was closed within a year of its opening.
Currently he is a Champions League pundit at Danish TV3+ with Brian Laudrup and host Peter Schmeichel.
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
Preceded by Karl-Heinz
Rummenigge |
FIFA
World Cup Bronze Ball 1986 |
Succeeded by Diego
Maradona |
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