Eigil Nielsen (footballer born 1918)

For the Danish footballer, see Eigil Nielsen (footballer born 1948).
Olympic medal record
Men's Football
Bronze London 1948 Team Competition

Eigil Louis Marius Ferdinand Nielsen,[1] known simply as Eigil Nielsen (September 15, 1918 – September 7, 2000) was a Danish amateur football goalkeeper, who played 28 games for the Denmark national football team and won a bronze medal with Denmark at the 1948 Summer Olympics. He played his club football with KB.[2]

Originally from Esbjerg, Eigil Nielsen was not selected for the Danish national team, until he moved to Copenhagen club Kjøbenhavns Boldklub (KB).[3] At KB, Eigil impressed with his quickness, judgement of ball-flight, and long-range goal kicks.[3] He made his debut for the Danish national team in October 1940, but did enjoy a prolonged run in the team until 1947.[2] He was the starting goalkeeper at the 1948 Summer Olympics, where his long-rage goal kick served as an in-direct assist for one of John Hansen's goals in the 5-3 defeat of the Italy national football team.[3] Denmark won bronze medals at the tournament, and Eigil Nielsen was considered on par with legendary goalkeeper Svend Jensen;[3] a status not equalled until Peter Schmeichel in the 1990s.[4] Eigil Nielsen played his 28th and last international game in October 1951.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Haslund.info profile
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Danish national team profile
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lundberg, Knud (1986). Dansk Fodbold. 1. Fra Breslau til Bronceholdet. Copenhagen: Rhodos. pp. 150–151. ISBN 87-7245-132-7.
  4. ↑ Steen Ankerdal, "Landsholdet", Aschehoug, 2006, p.59