Thomas Bælum
Encyclopedia
Thomas Bælum is a Danish
professional footballer defender
, who is now a player-coach for Danish Serie 3 side Grauballe UGF. Bælum has played 18 games for the Danish national U21 team
.
, Bælum made his debut in professional football with local club Aalborg Boldspilklub (AaB) in the 1996–97 Superliga
season. He helped AaB win the 1998–99 Superliga
championship, as well as reaching two Danish Cup
finals. In the winter 2003, he moved abroad to play for MSV Duisburg
in Germany
. He helped Duisburg win promotion
for the top-flight German Bundesliga in the summer 2005. When Duisburg were swiftly relegated
back into the 2nd Bundesliga
in the summer 2006, he moved to Dutch
club Willem II Tilburg
in the Eredivisie
where he spend two seasons, playing 62 league games and scoring 1 goal. Bælum was signed by the Danish second level side Silkeborg IF in the summer of 2008.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
professional footballer defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, who is now a player-coach for Danish Serie 3 side Grauballe UGF. Bælum has played 18 games for the Danish national U21 team
Denmark national under-21 football team
The Denmark national under-21 football team has played since 1976 and is controlled by the Danish Football Association. Before 1976, the age limit was 23 years.-U-21 European Championship:*1978 – Quarterfinals*1980 to 1984 – Did not qualify...
.
Career
Born in AalborgAalborg
-Transport:On the north side of the Limfjord is Nørresundby, which is connected to Aalborg by a road bridge Limfjordsbroen, an iron railway bridge Jernbanebroen over Limfjorden, as well as a motorway tunnel running under the Limfjord Limfjordstunnelen....
, Bælum made his debut in professional football with local club Aalborg Boldspilklub (AaB) in the 1996–97 Superliga
Danish Superliga 1996-97
The 1996-97 Danish Superliga season was the 7th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association...
season. He helped AaB win the 1998–99 Superliga
Danish Superliga 1998-99
The 1998-99 Danish Superliga season was the 9th season of the Danish Superliga league championship, governed by the Danish Football Association. It took place from the first match on July 26, 1998 to final match on June 16, 1999....
championship, as well as reaching two Danish Cup
Danish Cup
The Danish Cup is the official "knockout" cup competition in Danish football, run by the Danish Football Association. The cup has been contested annually since 1955...
finals. In the winter 2003, he moved abroad to play for MSV Duisburg
MSV Duisburg
MSV Duisburg is a German association football club based in Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia. Nicknamed "the Zebras" for their traditional striped jerseys, the club was one of the original members of the Bundesliga when it was formed in 1963.-Early years:...
in Germany
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...
. He helped Duisburg win promotion
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
for the top-flight German Bundesliga in the summer 2005. When Duisburg were swiftly relegated
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
back into the 2nd Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
in the summer 2006, he moved to Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
club Willem II Tilburg
Willem II Tilburg
Willem II , also known as Willem II Tilburg, is a football club based in Tilburg, North Brabant, Netherlands. The team was founded on 12 August 1896 as Tilburgia...
in the Eredivisie
Eredivisie
The Eredivisie is the highest football league in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956 two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is currently ranked the ninth best league in Europe by UEFA....
where he spend two seasons, playing 62 league games and scoring 1 goal. Bælum was signed by the Danish second level side Silkeborg IF in the summer of 2008.