Mikael Nilsson (born 1978)
Encyclopedia
Mikael "Micke" Nilsson ˈmiːkɑɛl ˈnɪlsɔn (born 24 June 1978 in Ovesholm
) is a Swedish
footballer, who plays for Brøndby IF
as a wingback and a midfielder
.
in 2000. His first season was mostly spent on the bench, but eventually he became one of the team's more important players until, during the 2004 season, he was sold to English club Southampton F.C.
.
At Southampton, he was not able to establish himself as a regular member of the first team and in 2005 he was sold to Greek club Panathinaikos FC
.
On 4 March 2008, he stated that when returning to Sweden he would play for Halmstads BK
, but he would live in Malmö
since he wanted to live in a larger city.
On 8 April 2009, Nilsson announced a transfer to Brøndby IF
. He signed a three year contract and will move to the club on 1 July 2009.
He is called "MiNi" by Swedish supporters, referring to the first letters in his first and second names.
since 20 November 2002, when he made his debut against the Czech Republic
in which he scored two goals in a 3–3 draw. He have been a part of Swedens squad to the UEFA Euro 2004, 2006 FIFA World Cup
and UEFA Euro 2008, mainly playing as a defender.
He started out as a midfielder, but once when the national team lacked defenders, Nilsson was moved back, since when he generally plays as a defender for the national team.
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
Sweden changed to 3–5–2 formation, placing Nilsson again on the midfield. On 6 June 2009, Sweden played a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Denmark
at the Råsunda Stadium
in Solna
. Nilsson made a terrible mistake that caused Sweden to lose 0–1 and eventually miss the World Cup. A cross came in from the right and Nilsson was going to clear it out of Swedish penalty area. He was not under pressure when the ball came. Somehow, he managed to get the ball on his left leg, causing it to roll across the goal-line and to the Danish midfielder Thomas Kahlenberg
who scored easily.
Following Sweden's failure to reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, Nilsson announced his retirement from international football, stating he would not be able to balance playing for both Brøndby IF
and the Sweden national team
.
Halmstads BK:
Ovesholm
Ovesholm is a locality situated in Kristianstad Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 299 inhabitants in 2010....
) is a Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
footballer, who plays for Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
as a wingback and a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
Club career
Nilsson started his career with Ovesholms IF, where he stayed until 1999 when he moved to Åhus Horna BK. He played for the club for only one season before moving to Halmstads BKHalmstads BK
Halmstads Bollklubb, also called HBK or just Halmstad, is a Swedish football club located in Halmstad in the southwest of Sweden. The club, formed 6 March 1914, competes in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan, and has won 4 national championship titles and 1 national cup title...
in 2000. His first season was mostly spent on the bench, but eventually he became one of the team's more important players until, during the 2004 season, he was sold to English club Southampton F.C.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
At Southampton, he was not able to establish himself as a regular member of the first team and in 2005 he was sold to Greek club 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...
.
On 4 March 2008, he stated that when returning to Sweden he would play for Halmstads BK
Halmstads BK
Halmstads Bollklubb, also called HBK or just Halmstad, is a Swedish football club located in Halmstad in the southwest of Sweden. The club, formed 6 March 1914, competes in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan, and has won 4 national championship titles and 1 national cup title...
, but he would live in Malmö
Malmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
since he wanted to live in a larger city.
On 8 April 2009, Nilsson announced a transfer to Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
. He signed a three year contract and will move to the club on 1 July 2009.
He is called "MiNi" by Swedish supporters, referring to the first letters in his first and second names.
National team
He has played in the Sweden national teamSweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
since 20 November 2002, when he made his debut against the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
in which he scored two goals in a 3–3 draw. He have been a part of Swedens squad to the UEFA Euro 2004, 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
and UEFA Euro 2008, mainly playing as a defender.
He started out as a midfielder, but once when the national team lacked defenders, Nilsson was moved back, since when he generally plays as a defender for the national team.
During the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
The European zone of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup saw 53 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. The qualification process started on 20 August 2008, after UEFA Euro 2008, and ended on 18 November 2009. The qualification process saw the first competitive matches of...
Sweden changed to 3–5–2 formation, placing Nilsson again on the midfield. On 6 June 2009, Sweden played a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
at the Råsunda Stadium
Råsunda Stadium
Råsunda Fotbollstadion, also Råsundastadion, Råsunda Stadium or just Råsunda, is a Swedish national football stadium. It is located in Solna Municipality in Metropolitan Stockholm and named after Råsunda, a zone of Solna.-History:...
in Solna
Solna Municipality
Solna Municipality is a municipality in Stockholm County in east central Sweden, located just north of the capital Stockholm. Its seat is located in the 'city' of Solna....
. Nilsson made a terrible mistake that caused Sweden to lose 0–1 and eventually miss the World Cup. A cross came in from the right and Nilsson was going to clear it out of Swedish penalty area. He was not under pressure when the ball came. Somehow, he managed to get the ball on his left leg, causing it to roll across the goal-line and to the Danish midfielder Thomas Kahlenberg
Thomas Kahlenberg
Thomas Kahlenberg is a Danish footballer, who plays as an attacking midfielder for German team Wolfsburg. He started his career with Brøndby IF, winning two Danish Superliga championship, and played four seasons at French club AJ Auxerre...
who scored easily.
Following Sweden's failure to reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, Nilsson announced his retirement from international football, stating he would not be able to balance playing for both Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
and the Sweden national team
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
.
Club
Halmstads BK:- AllsvenskanAllsvenskanAllsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
: - Champion: 20002000 in Swedish footballThe 2000 season in Swedish football, starting January 2000 and ending December 2000:- Official titles :- Competitions :- Promotions :- Relegations :- International qualifications :- Allsvenskan 2000 :...
- Runner-up: 20042004 in Swedish footballThe 2004 season in Swedish football, starting January 2004 and ending December 2004:- Events :* 19 May 2004: Valencia wins the UEFA Cup final against Marseille which was played on Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg....