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Peter Schmeichel - Goalkeeper
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Peter Schmeichel has long since become a legend in Denmark. Born in Gladsaxe, a suburb of Copenhagen, in 1963, he started in his "home club" Hvidovre at a very early age and became a pro there in 1984. He went to one of the biggest clubs in Denmark, Brøndby, in 1987 after making 88 appearances and scoring six goals(!) for Hvidovre.
At Brøndby, Schmeichel was an immediate success, and as solid as a rock between the sticks at Brøndby Stadion. he spent four years there, and almost immediately became the first choice on the Danish national team. He moved to Manchester United in 1991 for the ridiculous price of £600.000. As most of us will know, he was a big part of Manchester United's success throughout the 90s. His spell at United lasted 8 years, and included two doubles and a Champions League title.
Today, he has retrired from the Danish national team, but has an astonishing 128 appearances, and was part of the Danish team that won the European Championship in 1992 in Sweden. Much of the 2-0 victory over Germany in the final was due to Schmeichel's fantastic skills, when Germany piled an avalanche of shots and headers on the Danish goal. Every Dane remembers him in that match, soaring high over Jürgen Klinsmann, cathing the ball in mid-air with one hand! Another moment was when Klinsmann produced possibly the fastest header ever in pro football, which would have put a bullet to shame, only to see The Great Dane block his shot, sending it over the goal.
Of more unfortunate incidents, most will recall back in November 1996, how Arsenal's Ian Wright claimed that Schmeichel had racially abused him (allegedly using the expression: "f______ black b______"). Schmeichel denied the charges. In the reverse fixture in 1997, Wright was sent off after doing an insane two-footed challenge on Schmeichel.
Peter is also a man of passion and a great leader. In Euro 96, where Denmark performed miserably at best, a crazed fan invaded the pitch and started harrassing Schmeichel. Before the police could even intervene, Peter grabbed the culprit, lifted him up, one hand behind his neck and one behind his arse, went to the sidelines with the sprawling man in his arms and literally threw him off the pitch into the arms of the gobsmacked police officers.
Hvidovre, however, has always been where his heart belongs, which certainly was proved back in December 1999. Hvidovre announced that unless some drastic changes of tides would occur, the club would have to file for bankrupcy. Peter Schmeichel heard of this in Portugal, and immediately purchased the club and paid out its debts.
Schmeichel's spell at Sporting Lisboa was quite successful, and lasted for two years. He announced his retirement from Sporting Lisboa in May 2001. Meanwhile, he earned himself an English MBE in December 2001 for his huge contribution to the sport.
In the spring of 2001, David James had been Aston Villa's number one goalie for two seasons when all of a sudden, he left for West Ham without any rumours beforehand. Before the fans had time to open their mouths and complain, John Gregory announced - to the astonishment of all supporters - that he had signed Peter Schmeichel on a one year contract.
Peter Schmeichel's 2001/02 campaign was excellent. Schmeichel was chosen as goalkeeper for FIFA's Team Europe of the month of October, and he rapidly won every heart at Villa Park with his stern and motivated performance between the sticks. He was also a brilliant "second captain", as he had little hesitation in yelling at his defender until he was blue in the face, whenever they din't give a 110%.
After not having his contract renewed in May 2002, he switched to Kevin Keegan's Manchester City, where he spent a season before finally retiring from professional football at the age of 39.