Espen Baardsen
Encyclopedia
Espen Baardsen is a former footballer. He played as a goalkeeper. Born in the United States
to Norwegian
parents, he was selected for the USA under-18 national team before switching his international eligibility
to Norway
because of his dual nationality.
team Tottenham Hotspur
while he was playing for the San Francisco United All Blacks of the USISL. Tottenham offered him a contract. He made his debut for the team in the spring of 1997 against Liverpool at Anfield. Despite good performances, including a 0–0 draw away to rivals Arsenal
, he was unable to become the team's first-choice keeper. Baardsen won the Worthington Cup with Spurs in 1999.
In 2000 Baardsen was signed by Watford
for £1.25 million to get regular first-team football. However, towards the end of the 2000–01
season he lost his place in the team to veteran Alec Chamberlain
. Although he returned to the side under new manager Gianluca Vialli
in 2001–02
, he was again displaced by Chamberlain.
In 2002, he went on a short loan spell to Everton
. In his sole game for the club he conceded 4 goals in a 4–3 loss to his former club Tottenham Hotspur. Baardsen retired from the game aged only 25 and went travelling around the world for a year, claiming he had lost interest in the game. He is currently a partner and fund manager for Eclectica Asset Management, a London-based asset management company. He is a frequent guest on the business television network, CNBC.
in a September 1998 European Championship qualifying match against Latvia
. Before that match, he was already part of Norway's 1998 World Cup
squad as third-choice goalkeeper. This was despite the fact that he has never lived in Norway in his entire life. His last international match was a January 2000 friendly game against Iceland
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to 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...
parents, he was selected for the USA under-18 national team before switching his international eligibility
FIFA eligibility rules
FIFA eligibility rules describe the criteria that are used to determine whether an association football player is allowed to represent a particular country in officially recognised international competitions and friendly matches. Eligibility rules are implemented and maintained by FIFA, the...
to Norway
Norway 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...
because of his dual nationality.
Club career
In 1995 Baardsen was spotted by EnglishEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
team Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
while he was playing for the San Francisco United All Blacks of the USISL. Tottenham offered him a contract. He made his debut for the team in the spring of 1997 against Liverpool at Anfield. Despite good performances, including a 0–0 draw away to rivals Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, he was unable to become the team's first-choice keeper. Baardsen won the Worthington Cup with Spurs in 1999.
In 2000 Baardsen was signed by Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
for £1.25 million to get regular first-team football. However, towards the end of the 2000–01
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
season he lost his place in the team to veteran Alec Chamberlain
Alec Chamberlain
Alec Francis Roy Chamberlain is a former English goalkeeper currently employed by Watford as the club's goalkeeping coach. He made 788 league appearances during his 25-year playing career, the final 11 years and 247 appearances of which were with Watford.-Career:Chamberlain started his career at...
. Although he returned to the side under new manager Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli is an Italian football manager and former player. Since retiring, he has gone into management and punditry and is a commentator for Sky Sport Italia....
in 2001–02
2001-02 in English football
The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...
, he was again displaced by Chamberlain.
In 2002, he went on a short loan spell to Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. In his sole game for the club he conceded 4 goals in a 4–3 loss to his former club Tottenham Hotspur. Baardsen retired from the game aged only 25 and went travelling around the world for a year, claiming he had lost interest in the game. He is currently a partner and fund manager for Eclectica Asset Management, a London-based asset management company. He is a frequent guest on the business television network, CNBC.
International career
At international level, Baardsen played more than 20 matches for the Norwegian Under-21 team, and also won four caps for the senior national team. Baardsen won a bronze medal in the European Under-21 Championship held in Romania in 1998 during which he received the 'Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament' award. He 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...
in a September 1998 European Championship qualifying match against Latvia
Latvia national football team
The Latvian national football team is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia and represents the country in international football competitions, such as the World Cup and the European Championships. So far, they have never qualified for a FIFA World...
. Before that match, he was already part of Norway's 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...
squad as third-choice goalkeeper. This was despite the fact that he has never lived in Norway in his entire life. His last international match was a January 2000 friendly game against Iceland
Iceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
.