normthebarman
11-17-2006, 02:36 AM
For the purpose of this thread, I've chosen Scandinavian to mean Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. Not all strictly Scandinavian but it's the best I could do. Apologies to any offended...
Anyway, there are several Scandic players in Scotland, the most high profile being Thomas Gravesen of Celtic and Karl Svensson of Rangers. However, it is further east where we begin our look at these Scandic players and to one who has probably made a bigger impression for his team than either of these.
Dundee United's Norwegian Christian Kalvenes has impressed many Arab fans and commentators alike.(note to non-Scots- "Arabs" are the nickname given to Dundee Utd fans. There are a few reasons for this, the most common one being that in the past, the United pitch was covered with sand due to bad drainage problems.)
His solid and dependable performances and a goal on his debut in a shock 2-2 draw with Rangers have led to him being an ever present face in the Dundee United line-up. With the arrival of respected former Scotland international defender Craig Levien as manager, one can only expecthis performances to improve even more.
Meanwhile, at Tynecastle, young Icelandic forward Hjalmar Thorarinsson has left to go on loan to 1st division Raith Rovers and is making a small impact at the lower league club. Whether he comes back to Hearts is a different matter all together.
Team mate Juho Makela, signed from HJK Helsinki for £300,000 is still struggling to hold down a regular 1st team place, although, at Tynecastle nowadays, neither are star players and Scotland internationals Steven Pressley, Paul Hartley or Craig Gordon.
Anyway, there are several Scandic players in Scotland, the most high profile being Thomas Gravesen of Celtic and Karl Svensson of Rangers. However, it is further east where we begin our look at these Scandic players and to one who has probably made a bigger impression for his team than either of these.
Dundee United's Norwegian Christian Kalvenes has impressed many Arab fans and commentators alike.(note to non-Scots- "Arabs" are the nickname given to Dundee Utd fans. There are a few reasons for this, the most common one being that in the past, the United pitch was covered with sand due to bad drainage problems.)
His solid and dependable performances and a goal on his debut in a shock 2-2 draw with Rangers have led to him being an ever present face in the Dundee United line-up. With the arrival of respected former Scotland international defender Craig Levien as manager, one can only expecthis performances to improve even more.
Meanwhile, at Tynecastle, young Icelandic forward Hjalmar Thorarinsson has left to go on loan to 1st division Raith Rovers and is making a small impact at the lower league club. Whether he comes back to Hearts is a different matter all together.
Team mate Juho Makela, signed from HJK Helsinki for £300,000 is still struggling to hold down a regular 1st team place, although, at Tynecastle nowadays, neither are star players and Scotland internationals Steven Pressley, Paul Hartley or Craig Gordon.