Beckham7
01-04-2002, 05:22 PM
Barcelona defender Patrik Andersson has spoken of his delight at being named in Uefa's team of the year for 2001.
"This feels great," he declared. "It's the biggest personal award I have ever won."
The Sweden captain has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months - scoring the title-winning goal for Bayern Munich, featuring heavily in their Champions' League success, as well as helping his country seal their place in the World Cup finals.
"The goal that won the league really helped elevate my status," explained the 30-year-old centre-half, who joined Barcelona for £5.1 million in the summer.
"Winning the Champions' League also helped, as did my success with the national team. I feel as though I have settled in well at Barca. I got off to a great start and I think I've got a good reputation in Spain."
The team was chosen on the basis of more than three million votes from football supporters throughout the world. Andersson won 16.46 per cent of the votes for central defenders – just one per cent fewer than the first-choice, Liverpool's Sami Hyypia
"This feels great," he declared. "It's the biggest personal award I have ever won."
The Sweden captain has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months - scoring the title-winning goal for Bayern Munich, featuring heavily in their Champions' League success, as well as helping his country seal their place in the World Cup finals.
"The goal that won the league really helped elevate my status," explained the 30-year-old centre-half, who joined Barcelona for £5.1 million in the summer.
"Winning the Champions' League also helped, as did my success with the national team. I feel as though I have settled in well at Barca. I got off to a great start and I think I've got a good reputation in Spain."
The team was chosen on the basis of more than three million votes from football supporters throughout the world. Andersson won 16.46 per cent of the votes for central defenders – just one per cent fewer than the first-choice, Liverpool's Sami Hyypia