Gunnar Thoresen

Gunnar Thoresen played his first match at senior level for his club Larvik Turn in 1937, aged 16. His first international match for Norway came in June 1946 against Denmark, with Norway winning 2-1, their first victory since World War II. Thorsen played 64 matches for Norway, and scored 22 goals. His last match was in 1959, at almost 39 years of age, making him the oldest player to appear for the Norwegian team at the time.

With his club Larvik Turn, Thoresen won the national league title in 1953, 1955, and 1956. He was top scorer in the national league in both 1953 and 1954. Thoresen ended his career after the 1962 season, aged 42, after scoring 425 goals in 472 matches for his club. His favorite position was right wing, where he impressed with his technical and dribbling skills. His son Hallvar Thoresen had 50 caps for Norway from 1978-89, was national team captain, and played professionally in the Netherlands for FC Twente (1976-81) and PSV Eindhoven (1981-88), winning both Dutch Cup and Liga titles.