UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

With his shaven head, Thomas Gravesen cuts a mean figure. However, the man nicknamed 'Mad Dog' is more ball player than ball winner, allying his limitless enthusiasm with excellent passing and clever dribbling.

National team
Gravesen made his senior debut in August 1998 in a 1-0 friendly defeat in Prague. His first taste of a major tournament came at UEFA EURO 2000™ and he then started all four games at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he was named the Danes' best player. Scored a memorable long-range goal in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2004™ against Romania and shone in the finals in Portugal. Remains a crucial part of the team.

Club
Born in Vejle, a small town on Denmark's Jutland peninsular, Gravesen began his professional career with Vejle BK in 1995, spending two seasons with his hometown club before moving to the Bundesliga where he played for three seasons at Hamburger SV. He helped Hamburg to a third-placed finish, and UEFA Champions League qualification, in his final season at the club in 1999/00.

2000: Joined Everton FC in a deal worth around €3.5m after EURO 2000™. He produced mixed form in his first two seasons in the English Premiership but began to thrive after David Moyes took the reins as manager in spring 2002.

2004/05: Gravesen produced his best form in an Everton shirt, enjoying the freedom of an attacking role behind a lone striker, and scoring four goals in 20 appearances up to the turn of the year. With his Everton contract due to end in the summer, he joined Madrid in the winter transfer window in a €3.5m deal and made his debut in the 3-1 home win against Real Zaragoza on 16 January. He was an instant success, adding steel to the Madrid midfield as they ended the season second in the Primera División.

Did you know?
While in Denmark for a fight against Brian Nielsen, Mike Tyson was so impressed with Gravesen's style that he took to wearing the player's shirt for the rest of his stay.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.

UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

With his head clean-shaven, Thomas Gravesen cuts a mean figure. However, the man nicknamed 'mad dog' is more ball player than ball winner, with a good range of passes and clever dribbling ability.

National team
Firmly established in Morten Olsen's plans and with more than 40 caps to his name, Gravesen is both a motivator and an inspirational leader. Having made his international bow in a 1-0 defeat by the Czech Republic in August 1998, he played twice at UEFA EURO 2000™ and started all four of Denmark's games at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he was named the Danes' best player.

UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying
Gravesen had the most eventful campaign of all Denmark's players. He played in every match, scored a wonderful 45-metre lob to pave the way for the victory in Bucharest, scored another against Luxembourg and was sent off in the final match, a draw in Bosnia-Herzegovina which guaranteed the Danes top billing in Group 2.

Club
Born in Vejle, a small town on Denmark's Jutland peninsular, Gravesen began his professional career with Vejle BK in 1995, spending two seasons with his hometown club.

1997: A season with German club FC Hansa Rostock followed, before the midfielder moved to Hamburger SV in 1998. After 48 appearances and four goals for the club, the lure of Premiership football proved too strong and Gravesen completed a €3.6m switch to Everton FC.

2000: If his first two years in England were mixed, his fortunes in 2002/03 mirrored Everton's resurgence as he has held his own against the likes of Arsenal FC's Patrick Vieira in arguably Europe's most physical league.

2003/04: Everton's most creative midfielder in a disappointing season, Gravesen scored twice in 30 games, missing the run-in with a medial ligament injury.

Did you know?
While in Denmark for a fight against Brian Nielsen, Mike Tyson was so impressed with Gravesen's style that he took to wearing the player's shirt for the rest of his stay.

©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved.