Erik Mykland
Encyclopedia
Erik Mykland - nickname
d Myggen (the mosquito
), as he used to flap his arms and hands like one when celebrating his goals
- is a retired Norwegian
footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
A rarity in modern Norway footballers (standing at a mere 171 centimetres and a technical player), he played professionally in six different countries, mainly representing IK Start, and amassed 78 caps and two goals for the Norwegian national team, having appeared in two World Cups
, in 1994
and 1998
, as well as Euro 2000.
Mykland was one of the most popular footballers in Norway, well-liked but never without controversy, his bohemian, unshaved look and relaxed lifestyle in contrast to those of the typical footballers.
, Mykland started his career with modest Bryne FK, being "brought home" to IK Start in 1989, for NOK
60.000. He first appeared for the club against Moss FK in Melløs Stadion
later that year, as Start finished the top division
in 9th place.
In 1990, Mykland was named midfielder of the year in Norway, and also made his international debut. Start finished the 1991 season third, with impressive wins over Viking FK (4–1) and Rosenborg BK (5–0). After the latter, Mykland and seven other teammates were included in the team of the week. Also this year, he was named best player of an under-21 match
, as Norway trounced Italy
6–0, in Stavanger
; he represented the nation in this category a total of 15 times.
with Start four years later, Mykland left for Austria
's FC Linz
(he had already served a small loan stint at FC Utrecht). Also during that year, movie producer Thomas Robsahm made a film, simply called "Myggen", which consisted in following Mykland for a whole season.
In 1997, Mykland moved to Panathinaikos FC
but, during his spell at the club, it failed to achieve any silverware. After a season with German
Bundesliga
outfit TSV 1860 München
(he also started 2001–02, but was released following a serious run-in with then club coach Peter Pacult
), he joined F.C. Copenhagen
in January 2002, playing very little due to injuries, while also gaining a dubious reputation off the pitch: newspaper Ekstra Bladet
found him three days before a match drunk on a pavement outside nightclub Rust, asking people walking by to arm wrestle
him. Håvard Rem
wrote a book about the player in 2000, entitled Erik Mykland : oppvekst, livsstil, EM 2000, spillestil.
In June 2004 Mykland retired at 33, after nearly a year out with injuries. On 8 September 2006, he and several other former Norwegian internationals played an exhibition game
against former Argentina stars
, including Diego Maradona
, Claudio Caniggia
and Matías Almeyda
. Argentina won 10–8.
In June 2007, Mykland helped build a football school in his hometown of Risør, alongside former Start player Bernt Christian Birkeland.
and having a "peripheral role" in a large drug dealing network in Norway's Romerike
county." In June 2009, he stated that he would withdraw from his active career, after just nine games for Start. However, shortly after, he changed his mind, moving to lowly Drammen FK
(third level
), but retiring for good shortly after, at the age of 38.
on 7 November 1990, during a 3–1 away win against Tunisia
. He scored the first of his two international goals on 8 September 1992, during a 1994 FIFA World Cup
qualifier
against San Marino
, which finished 10–0.
During the 1998 World Cup
, in-between games, Mykland and fellow international Henning Berg
were caught in a bar drinking. They claimed they had only had a few beers, but Berg later admitted in his biography that they actually were drunk.
In UEFA Euro 2000, Mateja Kežman
of Yugoslavia
was sent off after just one minute, after a dangerous tackle on Mykland. In all three competitions combined, he appeared in a total of 10 matches, nine as a starter - on 23 June 1998, in Norway's historical 2–1 win against Brazil
in Marseille
, he started on the bench, replacing Roar Strand
at halftime.
While Mykland failed to score more than twice for the national team, a goal he created by playing through Øyvind Leonhardsen
in an Euro 2000 qualification match against Slovenia
was rated among Norway's best goals ever - much due to Mykland's ability to trick several defenders prior to the pass.
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
d Myggen (the mosquito
Mosquito
Mosquitoes are members of a family of nematocerid flies: the Culicidae . The word Mosquito is from the Spanish and Portuguese for little fly...
), as he used to flap his arms and hands like one when celebrating his goals
Goal (sport)
Goal refers to a method of scoring in many sports. It can also refer to the physical structure or area of the playing surface where scoring occurs....
- is a retired Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.
A rarity in modern Norway footballers (standing at a mere 171 centimetres and a technical player), he played professionally in six different countries, mainly representing IK Start, and amassed 78 caps and two goals for the Norwegian national team, having appeared in two World Cups
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, in 1994
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
and 1998
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, as well as Euro 2000.
Mykland was one of the most popular footballers in Norway, well-liked but never without controversy, his bohemian, unshaved look and relaxed lifestyle in contrast to those of the typical footballers.
IK Start
Born in RisørRisør
is a city and municipality in Aust-Agder county, Norway. The city belongs to the traditional region of Sørlandet. It is a popular tourist place. The surrounding area includes many small lakes and hills, and is known for its beautiful coastline as well....
, Mykland started his career with modest Bryne FK, being "brought home" to IK Start in 1989, for NOK
Norwegian krone
The krone is the currency of Norway and its dependent territories. The plural form is kroner . It is subdivided into 100 øre. The ISO 4217 code is NOK, although the common local abbreviation is kr. The name translates into English as "crown"...
60.000. He first appeared for the club against Moss FK in Melløs Stadion
Melløs Stadion
Melløs Stadion is a multi-purpose stadium in Melløs borough in Moss, Norway. It is currently used mostly for football contests and is the home stadium of Moss FK. The stadium has a capacity around 10,000 people and was opened in 1939. The current attendance record is 10,085 people in a neighbor...
later that year, as Start finished the top division
Tippeligaen
Tippeligaen is a Norwegian professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Norwegian football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. The league is also unofficially known under its neutral name Eliteserien , although the name has never been official...
in 9th place.
In 1990, Mykland was named midfielder of the year in Norway, and also made his international debut. Start finished the 1991 season third, with impressive wins over Viking FK (4–1) and Rosenborg BK (5–0). After the latter, Mykland and seven other teammates were included in the team of the week. Also this year, he was named best player of an under-21 match
Norway national under-21 football team
The Norwegian national under-21 football team, controlled by the Football Association of Norway, is the national football team of Norway for players of 21 years of age or under at the start of a UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship campaign...
, as Norway trounced Italy
Italy national under-21 football team
The Italy national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Italy and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation.The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
6–0, in Stavanger
Stavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
; he represented the nation in this category a total of 15 times.
Move abroad
After being named the nation's player of the year in 1992, and being relegatedAdeccoligaen
The Norwegian First Division is the second highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2005, the official name of the league has been Adeccoligaen....
with Start four years later, Mykland left for Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
's FC Linz
FC Linz
FC Linz was an Austrian football club based in Linz, Upper Austria. It was founded on 30 June 1946 as SV Eisen und Stahl 1946 Linz, a factory squad of the public VÖEST steel company...
(he had already served a small loan stint at FC Utrecht). Also during that year, movie producer Thomas Robsahm made a film, simply called "Myggen", which consisted in following Mykland for a whole season.
In 1997, Mykland moved to Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
but, during his spell at the club, it failed to achieve any silverware. After a season with German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
outfit TSV 1860 München
TSV 1860 München
Turn- und Sportverein München von 1860, commonly known as TSV 1860 München or 1860 Munich, is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. The club's football team plays in the Second Bundesliga, after relegation from the Bundesliga following the 2003–04 season...
(he also started 2001–02, but was released following a serious run-in with then club coach Peter Pacult
Peter Pacult
Peter Pacult is an Austrian former international football player who is now manager of RB Leipzig.-Club career:...
), he joined F.C. Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen is a professional Danish football club in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is part of the Parken Sport & Entertainment....
in January 2002, playing very little due to injuries, while also gaining a dubious reputation off the pitch: newspaper Ekstra Bladet
Ekstra Bladet
Ekstra Bladet is a Danish tabloid newspaper focusing on sensationalist stories. It gets a share of its income from sex ads. Since 1979 it has always had a partly or completely naked woman on page nine which is referred to as Side 9 Pigen , a Danish equivalent of the English Page Three girl...
found him three days before a match drunk on a pavement outside nightclub Rust, asking people walking by to arm wrestle
Arm wrestling
Arm wrestling is a sport with two participants. Each participant places one arm on a surface with their elbows bent and touching the surface, and they grip each other's hand...
him. Håvard Rem
Håvard Rem
Håvard Rem is a Norwegian author, living in Telemark.- Lyrics and poetry :Rem made his book debut in 1977 with Kall på heltene. His Utvalgte dikt was published in Norwegian , Arabic and Russian...
wrote a book about the player in 2000, entitled Erik Mykland : oppvekst, livsstil, EM 2000, spillestil.
In June 2004 Mykland retired at 33, after nearly a year out with injuries. On 8 September 2006, he and several other former Norwegian internationals played an exhibition game
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
against former Argentina stars
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
, including Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
, Claudio Caniggia
Claudio Caniggia
Claudio Paul Caniggia is a former Argentine football forward, who played 50 times for the Argentine national team. He appeared in three World Cups, and was a member of both rival clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors. Caniggia was known for his speed as a player and competed in Athletics before his...
and Matías Almeyda
Matías Almeyda
Matías Jesús Almeyda is a retired Argentine footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, and the current manager of Club Atlético River Plate....
. Argentina won 10–8.
In June 2007, Mykland helped build a football school in his hometown of Risør, alongside former Start player Bernt Christian Birkeland.
Comeback
On 9 July 2008, Mykland announced his return to football, aged 36, rejoining former club IK Start, in the second level. On September 2, he was charged with possession and use of cocaineCocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
and having a "peripheral role" in a large drug dealing network in Norway's Romerike
Romerike
Romerike is a traditional district located north-east of Oslo, in what is today south-eastern Norway. It consists of the Akershus municipalities Fet, Lørenskog, Nittedal, Rælingen, Skedsmo, Sørum and Aurskog-Høland in the southern end , and Ullensaker, Gjerdrum, Nannestad, Nes, Eidsvoll and Hurdal...
county." In June 2009, he stated that he would withdraw from his active career, after just nine games for Start. However, shortly after, he changed his mind, moving to lowly Drammen FK
Drammen FK
Drammen Fotballklubb is a Norwegian association football club from Drammen, founded in 2008. It currently plays in the Third Division.-History:...
(third level
Norwegian Second Division
The Norwegian Second Division is the third highest division of the Norwegian football league system. Since 2009, the official name of the league has been Fair Play-ligaen....
), but retiring for good shortly after, at the age of 38.
International career
Mykland made his debut for NorwayNorway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
on 7 November 1990, during a 3–1 away win against Tunisia
Tunisia national football team
The Tunisia national football team , nicknamed Les Aigles de Carthage , is the national team of Tunisia and is controlled by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football. They have qualified for four FIFA World Cups, the first one in 1978, but have yet to make it out of the first round...
. He scored the first of his two international goals on 8 September 1992, during a 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
qualifier
1994 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification....
against San Marino
San Marino national football team
The San Marino national football team is the national football team of San Marino, controlled by the San Marino Football Federation...
, which finished 10–0.
During the 1998 World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, in-between games, Mykland and fellow international Henning Berg
Henning Berg
Henning Stille Berg is a Norwegian former football player. He played as a central defender or right-back.He is one of only three players to have won the Premier League with two different clubs, the others being Ashley Cole and Nicolas Anelka .-Club career:Born in Eidsvoll, Berg played for...
were caught in a bar drinking. They claimed they had only had a few beers, but Berg later admitted in his biography that they actually were drunk.
In UEFA Euro 2000, Mateja Kežman
Mateja Kežman
Mateja Kežman is a Serbian football striker who plays for FC BATE Borisov of the Belarusian Premier League....
of Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
was sent off after just one minute, after a dangerous tackle on Mykland. In all three competitions combined, he appeared in a total of 10 matches, nine as a starter - on 23 June 1998, in Norway's historical 2–1 win against Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
in Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
, he started on the bench, replacing Roar Strand
Roar Strand
Roar Strand is a Norwegian retired football player. He played as a midfielder at the Norwegian club Rosenborg. Strand has 42 caps for the Norwegian national team. He is the player with most matches in the Norwegian Premier League...
at halftime.
While Mykland failed to score more than twice for the national team, a goal he created by playing through Øyvind Leonhardsen
Øyvind Leonhardsen
Øyvind Leonhardsen is a Norwegian former footballer. He retired after the 2007 season, and at that moment he was captain of Strømsgodset IF in the Norwegian Premier Division, ending a career with nine years in English football with clubs like Wimbledon, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa...
in an Euro 2000 qualification match against Slovenia
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
was rated among Norway's best goals ever - much due to Mykland's ability to trick several defenders prior to the pass.