By Anne Brugts, Story Terrace

Behind the scenes: Interview with Ole Halskov (81, sports doctor to the Danish national football team from 1967-1979)

Danish sports doctor Ole Halskov was the permanent staff doctor of the national Danish team for many years. He is happy to tell us about his career, his friendship with the players, and the upcoming World Cup.

How did you become the doctor of the national Danish team?

When I was about 28 years old, the general secretary of the football federation sounded me out on whether I would be interested in a permanent job on the medical staff. They were looking for a doctor with an affinity for football. At the time, I played with the national handball team and I had just graduated in orthopaedic sciences.

The hospital that employed me during that period made no fuss about letting me go. They were far keener to make the most of the publicity they would gain from one of their doctors getting this job.

Were you interested in football before they approached you?

Yes I was, but not overwhelmingly. I did follow the matches on TV and radio, though. I was interested in any athletic performance, really. In fact two of my other patients were dancers from the Copenhagen Ballet.

What was it like for a handball player to work with football players?

The footballers were very polite people and very sociable. I became one of them very easily. In football I was a stranger at first, but I spoke the language of sport.

Did you play a little football yourself?

I was always present at the training and then I would join in for a bit, too. The players called me ‘the secret weapon of Danish football’ – a joke about my lack of football skills. I could read that from the smirks I saw on their faces if I looked up for a second while I was playing.

What was the most memorable moment during this period?

It wasn’t just one moment, really. It was the feeling of being part of this team. I didn’t care much for the sportive peaks; I forgot about those. At the absolute pinnacle in the history of Danish football in 1992 (when Denmark won the EC [ed.]), I’d already left the team.

Are you looking forward to the forthcoming World Cup?

Indeed, and especially to the matches, which I expect to be very good. For me, it’s not about who wins: better than the result is the ballet of football. Watching the techniques is far more interesting to me than knowing the score. I like the Dutch way of playing football, therefor. Their technique and tactics are a feast for the eyes.

Apart from that, I still look to see who’s injured and in what way. I can’t help watching the players in action with a professional eye.

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This month we celebrate World Cup memories. Also see our interview with Dutch field hockey international Wouter Jolie (28), our interview with hockey internationals Santi Freixa (31) & Ramon Alegre (33), and other articles. What’s your favourite World Cup memory?