Kennet Andersson


Bernt Kennet Andersson is a Swedish former professional footballer, who played as a forward. He was a key member of the Swedish national team that finished third in the 1994 World Cup.

Club career

Andersson was born in Eskilstuna. On club level, he played for Tunafors SK, Eskilstuna, Göteborg, Mechelen, Norrköping, Lille, Caen, Bari, Bologna, Lazio, Fenerbahçe and Gårda BK.

International career

For Sweden, Andersson made 83 appearances and scored 31 goals, both near the top in national history. He played in the 1992 and 2000 European Championships. He led the Swedish team in scoring with five goals in the 1994 World Cup, a feat which tied him for third place as the tournament's leading goalscorer. His physical size gave him an advantage in the air, and in this tournament he became known for towering over defenders to score goals with his head; in Sweden's quarter-final win over Romania, he headed in a vital goal by outjumping even the Romanian goalkeeper.

Style of play

Andersson was considered one of the top-class strikers of his generation. A tall, athletic, and physically strong forward, who was also a prolific goalscorer, in spite of his lack of pace or notable technical skills, he was renowned for his work-rate, hold-up play with his back to goal, and in particular his excellent abilities in the air, which enabled him both to score goals with his head and get on the end of long balls to provide assists for his teammates from knock-downs; due to his playing style, he was frequently dubbed an "old-fashioned" centre-forward or "target-man" in the media throughout his career. BBC has described Andersson as "one of the world's greatest forwards in the air", adding that "his aerial ability is complemented by decent passing and unselfish support play that has allowed other strikers to flourish alongside him." Regarding his aerial prowess, Carlo Ancelotti described him as being "practically impossible" to mark in the air.

Career statistics

International

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.26 September 1990Råsunda Stadium, Solna2–02–0Friendly
2.1 May 1991Råsunda Stadium, Solna1–06–0Friendly
3.1 May 1991Råsunda Stadium, Solna2–06–0Friendly
4.1 May 1991Råsunda Stadium, Solna6–06–0Friendly
5.5 June 1991Råsunda Stadium, Solna2–22–2Friendly
6.15 June 1991Idrottsparken, Norrköping3–04–0Scania 100
7.22 April 1992Stade El Menzah, Tunis1–01–0Friendly
8.7 May 1992Råsunda Stadium, Solna1–05–0Friendly
9.7 May 1992Råsunda Stadium, Solna2–05–0Friendly
10.21 June 1992Råsunda Stadium, Solna2–32–3Euro 1992
11.20 February 1994Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami2–13–1Joe Robbie Cup
12.28 June 1994Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac1–01–11994 World Cup
13.3 July 1994Cotton Bowl, Dallas2–03–11994 World Cup
14.3 July 1994Cotton Bowl, Dallas3–13–11994 World Cup
15.10 July 1994Stanford Stadium, Stanford2–22–2
1994 World Cup
16.16 July 1994Rose Bowl, Pasadena4–04–01994 World Cup
17.12 October 1994Wankdorf Stadium, Bern1–02–4Euro 1996 qualifier
18.8 March 1995Tsirion Stadium, Limassol2–23–3Friendly
19.29 March 1995İnönü Stadium, Istanbul1–01–2Euro 1996 qualifier
20.8 June 1995Elland Road, Leeds3–13–3Umbro Cup
21.10 June 1995City Ground, Nottingham1–12–2Umbro Cup
22.10 June 1995City Ground, Nottingham2–12–2Umbro Cup
23.1 June 1996Råsunda Stadium, Solna1–05–11998 World Cup qualifier
24.1 June 1996Råsunda Stadium, Solna3–05–11998 World Cup qualifier
25.1 September 1996Daugava Stadium, Riga2–02–11998 World Cup qualifier
26.30 April 1997Ullevi, Gothenburg1–02–11998 World Cup qualifier
27.30 April 1997Ullevi, Gothenburg2–02–11998 World Cup qualifier
28.8 June 1997Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn3–03–21998 World Cup qualifier
29.20 August 1997Dinamo Stadium, Minsk1–12–11998 World Cup qualifier
30.2 June 1998Ullevi, Gothenburg1–01–0Friendly
31.9 October 1999Råsunda Stadium1–02–0Euro 2000 qualifier

Honours

Club

IFK Göteborg
Bologna
Lazio
Fenerbahçe