Andreas Granqvist facts for kids
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Granqvist with Sweden at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 April 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Påarp, Sweden | ||
| Height | 1.96 m | ||
| Playing position | Centre-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –1999 | Påarps GIF | ||
| 1999–2003 | Helsingborgs IF | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2004–2007 | Helsingborgs IF | 72 | (1) |
| 2007 | → Wigan Athletic (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2007–2008 | Wigan Athletic | 14 | (0) |
| 2008 | → Helsingborgs IF (loan) | 11 | (1) |
| 2008–2011 | Groningen | 96 | (21) |
| 2011–2013 | Genoa | 63 | (2) |
| 2013–2018 | Krasnodar | 134 | (3) |
| 2018–2021 | Helsingborgs IF | 43 | (2) |
| Total | 433 | (30) | |
| National team | |||
| 2004–2006 | Sweden U21 | 26 | (0) |
| 2006–2019 | Sweden | 88 | (9) |
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Andreas Granqvist (born 16 April 1985) is a Swedish former professional footballer. He played as a centre-back, which is a key defensive position.
He started his career with Helsingborgs IF in the mid-2000s. Later, he played for clubs in England, the Netherlands, Italy, and Russia. He finished his playing career back at Helsingborg in 2021.
Granqvist played for the Swedish national team from 2006 to 2019. He played 88 games for his country. He also represented Sweden in four UEFA European Championship tournaments and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. From 2016 to 2021, he was the captain of the national team.
In 2017, he received the Guldbollen award. This award is given to the best Swedish football player of the year.
Contents
Club Career
Andreas Granqvist was born in Påarp, Sweden. He began his football journey with his local club, Påarps GIF. Later, he moved to Helsingborgs IF. He made his first team debut in 2004 in the Allsvenskan league.
Two years later, in 2006, he became the team captain. That year, Helsingborgs IF won the Swedish Cup. They beat Gefle IF 2–0 in the final. Famous Swedish players like Henrik Larsson were also part of that winning team.
Playing in England
In January 2007, Granqvist moved to Wigan Athletic in England on a loan deal. This loan later became a permanent transfer in June 2007. Wigan reportedly paid around £750,000 for him. However, in March 2008, he returned to Helsingborg on another loan until the end of the English season.
Moving to the Netherlands and Italy
On 9 July 2008, Granqvist signed a four-year contract with the Dutch club Groningen. Wigan received about £600,000 for the transfer. He scored a memorable goal for Groningen on 13 September 2008. He ran 65 meters with the ball before scoring. He did this amazing feat again in May 2009.
After his time in the Netherlands, Granqvist moved to Italy. On 15 June 2011, Groningen sold him to Genoa for €2 million. He signed a four-year contract with the Italian club.
Time in Russia and Return to Sweden
On 16 August 2013, Granqvist left Genoa and joined Krasnodar in the Russian Premier League. He played for Krasnodar for several years.
On 28 January 2018, it was announced that Granqvist would return to Helsingborgs IF after the World Cup. He signed a 3.5-year contract to play for the club. After that, he would work as the director of sports for three years. He played his last game for Krasnodar on 13 May 2018.
Granqvist officially retired from playing football on 17 July 2021. He had played in six different leagues during his career. He said he wanted to keep playing, but his body was no longer able to. He continued his work at Helsingborg IF as the director of sports.
International Career
Granqvist was an important player for the Swedish national team. In May 2008, he was chosen for Sweden's squad for UEFA Euro 2008. He did not play in any of Sweden's three games at that tournament.
In 2011, he played in the final of the Cyprus International Football Tournament, where Sweden lost to Ukraine. On 6 July 2016, Granqvist was named captain of the Swedish team. He took over from Zlatan Ibrahimović, who retired from the national team after UEFA Euro 2016.
2018 FIFA World Cup
In May 2018, Granqvist was selected for Sweden's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He captained the team in their first World Cup match against South Korea on 18 June 2018. During the game, he made many long passes that caused problems for the South Korean defense. In the 65th minute, he scored the only goal of the game from a penalty kick. He was named the Player of the match for his performance.
Nine days later, he scored another penalty goal. This was the second goal in a 3–0 win against Mexico. This win meant Sweden qualified for the next round and finished first in their group. Granqvist played every minute of all Sweden's games in the tournament. Sweden was eventually knocked out by England in the quarter-finals.
In May 2021, Granqvist was included in Sweden's squad for the postponed UEFA Euro 2020. This was notable because he had not played for the national team for almost two years due to ongoing injuries.
Personal Life
Andreas Granqvist has a nickname, "Granen". This nickname comes from his last name, which means "spruce twig" in Swedish.
Granqvist became a father for the second time on 6 July 2018. His wife, Sofie, gave birth in Helsingborg. At the time, Granqvist was with the Swedish team at the World Cup in Russia.
Honours
Helsingborgs IF
- Superettan: 2018
- Svenska Cupen: 2006
Individual
- Guldbollen: 2017
- Swedish Defender of the Year: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018
- FIFA World Cup Fantasy Team: 2018
Images for kids
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Granqvist playing for Krasnodar in 2014
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See also
In Spanish: Andreas Granqvist para niños
