Martin Andresen (born 2 February 1977) is a Norwegian former professional football player[1] and manager, who played as a central midfielder. Martin is also keen bridge player [2] winning both a North American and European championship.

Martin Andresen
Personal information
Date of birth (1977-02-02) 2 February 1977 (age 47)
Place of birth Kråkstad, Norway
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Central midfielder
Youth career
Kråkstad
Ski
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–1997 Moss 45 (10)
1997 Viking 26 (8)
1998–1999 Stabæk 47 (16)
1999–2000 Wimbledon 13 (1)
2000Molde (loan) 9 (1)
2001–2004 Stabæk 87 (16)
2003–2004Blackburn (loan) 11 (0)
2005–2007 Brann 64 (11)
2008–2010 Vålerenga 40 (2)
2011–2012 Follo 8 (0)
2013 Stabæk 1 (0)
2015 Sandefjord 3 (0)
Total 355 (65)
International career
1995–1998 Norway U21 24 (4)
2001–2009 Norway 43 (3)
Managerial career
2008–2012 Vålerenga
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Early career

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Andresen was born in Kråkstad. He was a regular on many Norway national youth teams while playing for Moss, Viking and Stabæk Fotball from 1995 to 1999.

After the 1999 season, Andresen was sold to Premier League club Wimbledon in a deal worth £1 million. But like many of the other Norwegians in the club, his stay became short and unsuccessful. He scored once for Wimbledon; in a 2–1 loss to Liverpool.[3] He had a short loan spell at Molde.

Return to Stabæk

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Andresen returned to Stabæk in 2001, where he proved himself to be one of the best central midfielders in Norway.

After a successful 2003 season, where Stabæk captured the bronze medals in the Norwegian Premier League, Andresen was loaned out to the Premiership club Blackburn Rovers for six months in 2004, from February to August, but did not sign a longer deal with the English club. Andresen return to Stabæk to save the club from relegation from the Norwegian Premier League. Andresen played while injured and Stabæk could not save their top spot in league Norway. Andresen, not willing to play in the Adeccoliga, asked to be sold. Many clubs in Norway were interested in the national team captain; the high price scared many away, including the champions Rosenborg. Vålerenga looked set to capture Andresen at Christmas 2004. Brann was helped by local investors to sign him on 23 December 2004.[citation needed]

Brann

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Andresen became the most expensive transfer in Brann history, in a deal worth ca. 15.000.000 NOK (£1.310.000). After a disappointing first season, much ruined by injuries, Andresen made it clear that he would be "fit for fight" in 2006. In the pre-season he was appointed captain for Brann, clearly showing his importance for the club on and off the field. In 2006, Brann had their best season opening ever,[citation needed] with Andresen filling the captain role. He also periodically captained team Norway, playing in central midfield. In 2007 Brann won the Norwegian League, with Andresen as captain. He was described as the most valuable player by many Norwegian pundits.[who?] He was also named in the Team of the Year.

Vålerenga

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Andresen was announced as the new manager of Vålerenga on 6 November 2007 while still under contract with Brann for the remainder of the year. Brann terminated their working relationship with Andresen the day after. He signed a three-year-long contract with Vålerenga as player and manager. Andresen became the first player/head coach in Norway's top division (Tippeligaen) since Kjetil Rekdal (also with Vålerenga) in 2002.

He retired as a player before the 2010 season, but continued to play several matches for the reserve team in the Norwegian Second Division. In 2011, he played for Follo FK who were in the same division, making eight appearances for the club.

On 15 October 2012, Andresen was dismissed as manager for Vålerenga.[4]

Second return to Stabæk

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Andresen came out of retirement and joined Stabæk, who had been relegated from Tippeligaen, ahead of the 2013 season.[5]

Sandefjord

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Andresen came out for retirement for a second time on 18 August 2015, and joined Sandefjord Fotball for the remainder of the 2015 Tippeligaen season.[1]

International football career

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Andresen made his debut for Norway national team in a 15 August 2001 friendly match against Turkey and earned a total of 43 caps, scoring three goals.[6]

Bridge accomplishments

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Wins

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Personal life

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Martin Andresen is an heir to the Norwegian furniture manufacturer Skeidar.

Career football statistics

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As of 18 August 2015
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Season Club League Cup Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Moss 1995 1. divisjon 21 4 21 4
1996 Tippeligaen 24 6 24 6
Total 45 10 45 10
Viking 1997 Tippeligaen 26 8 26 8
Stabæk 1998 Tippeligaen 25 8 25 8
1999 22 8 22 8
Total 47 16 47 16
Wimbledon 1999–2000 Premier League 14 1 2 0 15 1
Molde 2000 Tippeligaen 9 1 0 0 9 1
Stabæk 2001 Tippeligaen 24 6 3 1 27 7
2002 25 1 5 1 30 2
2003 25 8 4 1 29 9
Total 74 15 12 3 86 18
Blackburn 2003–04 Premier League 11 0 0 0 11 0
Stabæk 2004 Tippeligaen 13 1 2 0 15 1
Brann 2005 Tippeligaen 17 2 1 0 18 2
2006 24 3 2 0 26 3
2007 23 6 1 0 24 6
Total 64 11 4 0 68 11
Vålerenga 2008 Tippeligaen 23 1 5 0 28 1
2009 17 1 5 0 22 1
2010 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 40 2 10 0 50 2
Follo 2011 2. divisjon 5 0 0 0 5 0
2012 3 0 0 0 3 0
Total 8 0 0 0 8 0
Stabæk 2013 1. divisjon 1 0 0 0 1 0
Sandefjord 2015 Tippeligaen 3 0 0 0 3 0
Career total 353 65 30 3 383 68

Honours

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Stabæk

Brann

Vålerenga

  • Norwegian Cup: 2008

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b "Martin Andresen klar for SF" (in Norwegian). 18 August 2015. Archived from the original on 22 August 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Norsk Bridgefestival 2003" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Heskey double denies Dons". The Guardian. 16 April 2000. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Andresen ferdig i Vålerenga" (in Norwegian).
  5. ^ Bilet, Anders Modun (18 March 2013). "Martin Andresen gjør comeback" (in Norwegian). Nettavisen. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  6. ^ Norway – Record International Players Archived 4 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine – RSSSF
  7. ^ "Daily Bulletin". American Contract Bridge League. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  8. ^ "19th European Champions' Cup". db.eurobridge.or. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
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