Swedish football has lost one of its greatest. Kurt “Kurre” Hamrin has died after a long illness, aged 89.
Hamrin’s track record is somewhat unreal. First Swede to win the European Cup. Selected in the FIFA World Team in 1967. Still in the top 10 on the all-time goalscoring list in Serie A. Serie A champion, two-time Cup Winners’ Cup champion. Appointed ‘Legend of the 20th century’ by his home club AIK. And for our own Swedish part, perhaps above all: World Cup silver in 1958, and THAT goal against West Germany in the semi-final.
Hamrin made 32 international appearances and 17 goals for Sweden. Less well known is that Hamrin also played two other international matches for Sweden – in ice hockey…
But it wasn’t just the track record, the goals, the passes and the hard work on the right wing that made “Kurre” a legend who was never forgotten. He was a loyal and popular person wherever he played.
Born (1934) and raised in Huvudsta, a couple of steps away from Råsunda, Kurt “Kurre” Hamrin began his career in the Huvudsta school’s boys’ team. The step was short to AIK, where Hamrin made his debut as a 17-year-old. His goal output from the wing (54 goals in 62 Allsvenskan matches) made him top scorer in 1954-55, and transformed AIK from a Division II team into an Allsvenskan medal team.
Hamrin was barely 170 cm tall but dominated his edge with speed, game sense and dribbling. He was more or less equally dangerous with both feet, and combined with his goal-scoring style, the style of play became internationally viable.
In 1956, the move went to Juventus, where Hamrin became part of the first generation of Swedish Italy professionals. There were also games in Padova and Napoli, great success in Milan but above all nine seasons in Fiorentina. Hamrin became one of Fiorentina’s all-time greats, and it was also in Florence that he and his wife Marianne settled when his playing career ended in 1972.
The ties to Sweden became annual visits to the grandchildren, and to AIK’s honorary bleachers. When the memory of the WC 1958 was celebrated in a big way at the Football Gala and Råsunda in 2008, Hamrin was one of the happiest and most active participants.
In 2006, Kurre was inducted as number 22 in Swedish football’s Hall of Fame in its fourth selection. He totally played 32 A national matches for Sweden during the years 1953-1965.
Swedish football remembers Kurre Hamrin with great warmth and gratitude. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones right now.
Fredrik Reinfeldt about Hamrin’s passing
