Jens Gustafson (footballer, born 1973)

Not to be confused with Jens Gustafsson.

Jens Gustafson von Zeipel (born 3 April 1973) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder, best known for representing Hammarby IF.

Jens Gustafson von Zeipel

Personal information
Full name	Jens Emanuel Gustafson von Zeipel
Date of birth	(1973-04-03) 3 April 1973 (age 50)
Place of birth	Stockholm, Sweden
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1992–2000	Hammarby IF	219	(28)
2001–2003	Enköpings SK
International career
1994–1995	Sweden U21	10	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Hammarby IF

Gustafson was promoted to the senior squad of Hammarby IF in 1992, at age 18, and soon established himself as a starter in Division 1, Sweden's second tier.^[1] He became known as a technically gifted left midfielder and set piece specialist.^[2][3]

In 1993, Gustafson played an integral part, together with keeper Per Fahlström and prolific goalscorer Hans Eskilsson, as Hammarby won Division 1. The club ultimately finished six points ahead of contender Vasalunds IF, an opponent that Gustafson scored against in a decisive 2–1 away win during the later stages of the season.^[4][1][3]

Back in Allsvenskan 1994, Hammarby finished 12th in the table, just above the relegation zone, but won the first Swedish Futsal Championship the same year.^[5][6] The following season, in 1995, Hammarby was relegated; pundits blamed manager Tommy Davidsson for opting to play a much to defensive style.^[7] However, Gustafson had established himself as a member of the Sweden national under-21 team, winning 10 caps in total.^[8]

Gustafson competed with Hammarby in Division 1 for the next two seasons, being a key player, before making a second comeback in Allsvenskan in 1998. Surprisingly, Hammarby finished 3rd in the table, just four points behind champions AIK.^[9][1]

He was a regular starter for Hammarby in Allsvenskan in both 1999 and 2000, with the club failing to produce any sort of challenge, finishing 10th and 8th in the table.^[10][11]

Enköpings SK

In 2001, Gustafson joined Enköpings SK, linking up with former teammate Peter Berggren. He played three seasons with the club, two in the second division and one in Allsvenskan, before retiring from professional football at the end of 2003.^[12][13][14]

References

1. "Presentation av legenderna – Jensa Gustafsson" (in Swedish). Hammarby Hockey. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
2. "Jens Gustafsson" (in Swedish). Hammarby Fotboll. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
3. "Jens Gustafsson gör comeback" (in Swedish). FC Sampierdarenese. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
4. "1993" (in Swedish). HIF Historia. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
5. "1994" (in Swedish). HIF Historia. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
6. "Historik - futsal" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
7. "1995" (in Swedish). HIF Historia. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
8. "Landslagdatabasen: Jens Gustafsson" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
9. "1998" (in Swedish). HIF Historia. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
10. "1999" (in Swedish). HIF Historia. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
11. "2000" (in Swedish). HIF Historia. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
12. "Veteranernas mardröm: kvalspel mot Hammarby" (in Swedish). Svenska Dagbladet. 26 October 2002. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
13. "Berggren och Gustafson lämnar Enköping" (in Swedish). Expressen. 5 November 2003. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
14. ""Häftigt när storlag som Hammarby och Djurgården kom hit"" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2021.