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Christian Bager Poulsen (born February 28, 1980) is a Danish professional football (soccer) player who currently plays for Sevilla FC. He has been a regular member of the Denmark national football team since his debut in 2001, and has currently played 39 matches, scoring 2 goals.
Biography
Poulsen got his breakthrough in Denmark when he took a commanding role in the attacking midfield of FC København, following the heart problems of Ståle Solbakken in March 2001. He had then only played in the club for 3 months after his move from Holbæk B&IF. Poulsen quickly made his mark on the league and helped his club win the 2000-01 Danish Superliga championship when he scored to 1-0 in the 3-1 win that secured the league title against second-placed Brøndby IF. Following another good campaign in 2001-02, Poulsen was called up for the Danish national team and got his debut when he started the 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on November 10, 2001. FCK ended runners-up in the Superliga, and Poulsen was named FCK Player of the Year 2002, before he was called up for the Danish squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Christian Poulsen played the three group matches, but following two yellow cards, he was suspended when Denmark were knocked out.
Moving abroad
After the 2002 World Cup, Poulsen made a €7M move, the then most expensive sale by a Danish club Daniel Agger skifter til Liverpool, Danmarks Radio, January 11, 2006, to German club FC Schalke 04, where he looked to take over the position as holding midfielder left by retired Czech player Jiri Nemec. His start in Schalke was made easier by the fact that his team mate in the Danish national team, Ebbe Sand, also played for the club, and ever since his debut Poulsen has been a regular starter either in midfield or defense.Poulsen was selected for the tournament, where he would play a controversial role. Following the 0-0 draw with Italy, Danish television showed Poulsen being spat on by Italian Francesco Totti, who received a three-match ban and gave a "full public apology", though still claiming he was provoked by Poulsen.Totti ban confirmed, BBC Sport, June 18, 2004 In the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League Poulsen and Schalke were in the same preliminary group as Italian team A.C. Milan. Following their first match, a 2-2 draw, Poulsen was described as 'a coward' by A.C. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti,ANCELOTTI FURIOUS AT POULSEN, Sporting Life, September 13, 2005 this time for Poulsen's marking of A.C. Milan's Brazilian playmaker Kaka. Schalke were eliminated from the Champions League tournament as A.C. Milan won their second match 3-2, despite a goal by Christian Poulsen. Following the final whistle, Italian player Gennaro Gattuso steered towards Poulsen and confronted him.AC Milan 3-2 Schalke: Giants stutter through, Soccernet, December 6, 2005 Gattuso made gloating taunts, while Poulsen gave him an ironic thumbs up, afterwards declaring he found Gattuso childish and hoped he felt embarrassed for himself. Poulsen: Gattuso opførte sig som et barn, Danmarks Radio, December 6, 2005
Through his time at Schalke, Poulsen played a number of matches at right back, but eventually secured himself a spot in the central midfield for both club and country, resulting in the 2005 Danish Player of the Year award.
In june 2006 Christian Poulsen signed a contract with Spanish club Sevilla FC, ending long-lasting rumours which had linked him to several others teams, including A.C. Milan and Internazionale F.C. from Italy.
Honours
- Danish Superliga: 2000-01, with FC København
- Danish Player of the Year : 2005
References
External links
1980 births | Danish footballers | FC København players | Living people | Schalke 04 players | FIFA World Cup 2002 players | UEFA Euro 2004 players | La Liga footballers | Sevilla FC footballers
"Christian Poulsen"