{{Short description|Danish footballer (born 1976)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | fullname = Peter Graulund | image = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|09|20|df=yes}} | birth_place = Brørup, Denmark | height = 1.75 m | position = Striker | youthyears1 = | youthyears2 = | youthclubs1 = Vejen SF | youthclubs2 = Kolding B | years1 = 1995–1998 | clubs1 = Vejle | caps1 = 93 | goals1 = 25 | years2 = 1998–2001 | clubs2 = Brøndby | caps2 = 53 | goals2 = 28 | years3 = 2001–2004 | clubs3 = VfL Bochum | caps3 = 21 | goals3 = 5 | years4 = 2003 | clubs4 = → AGF (loan) | caps4 = 33 | goals4 = 14 | years5 = 2004–2006 | clubs5 = Helsingborgs IF | caps5 = 45 | goals5 = 17 | years6 = 2006–2012 | clubs6 = AGF | caps6 = 147 | goals6 = 53 | totalcaps = 392 |totalgoals = 142 | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = Denmark U19 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = | nationalteam2 = Denmark U21 | nationalcaps2 = 6 | nationalgoals2 = 2 |manageryears1 = 2012–2013 |managerclubs1 = AGF U19 (assistant)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bold.dk/nyt/Graulund-skal-traene-AGF-talenter | title = Graulund skal træne AGF-talenter | language = da | publisher = bold.dk }}</ref> }}
'''Peter Graulund''' (born 20 September 1976) is a Danish former professional footballer who played as a striker. He played for Danish clubs Vejle Boldklub, Brøndby IF and AGF, German side VfL Bochum, and Swedish club Helsingborgs IF. He played six games and scored two goals for the Denmark national under-21 football team.
Graulund was a fan favourite at AGF, not only because of his goal scoring abilities but also due to his notorious fighting spirit. He was considered to be one of the best strikers in the Danish Superliga and is seventh on the list of top goalscorers all-time in the league. On 29 August 2011, he scored his 100th goal in the league in a win over AC Horsens. Graulund announced his retirement due to injuries on 12 October 2012.
== Club career == === Domestic success (1995–2001) === Born in Brørup,<ref name="brørup">{{cite web |last1=Elbech |first1=Søren |title=Peter Graulund den 7. med mål-centurion |url=https://danskfodbold.com/nyheder.php?ID=617 |website=danskfodbold.com |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=30 August 2011}}</ref> Graulund played as a youth for Vejen SF and Kolding Boldklub before moving to Vejle Boldklub where he made his professional debut on 19 March 1995, aged 18, in a 1–0 win over Ikast FS.<ref name="brørup" /> Head coach Ole Fritsen had promoted him to the first team, and he helped the club reach promotion to the Danish Superliga in his first season at the club. Before that, he had been a key player on the club's youth teams.<ref name="testimonial15">{{cite news |title=Testimonial - Peter Graulund |url=https://www.agf.dk/media/8040948/kampprogram_uden_cropmarks.pdf |accessdate=18 September 2020 |publisher=Aarhus Gymnastikforening |date=23 May 2013 |page=15}}</ref> In the 1996–97 season, he was part of the Vejle team that finished as runners-up in the Superliga alongside players such as Thomas Gravesen, Jesper Søgaard, Alex Nørlund and Jesper Mikkelsen.<ref name="vejle-97">{{cite web |last1=Davidsen |first1=Martin |title=7. december: Krølle, Gravesen og Vejles legebørn i toppen |url=https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/superliga/7-december-kroelle-gravesen-og-vejles-legeboern-i-toppen |publisher=Tipsbladet |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=7 December 2016 |quote=Holdet med folk som Jesper Søgaard, Peter Graulund, Alex Nørlund og Jesper Mikkelsen selv var fuld af dygtige tekniske spillere, og netop legen med bolden var kendetegnende for Vejle-holdet, mener Jesper Mikkelsen.}}</ref> During that season, Graulund made 28 league appearances in which he scored five goals.<ref name="vejle-97" />
In 1998, Graulund moved to Brøndby IF, where he initially struggled. However, in the 2000–01 season, he began playing more regularly under head coach Åge Hareide and finished a great season as top goalscorer in the Superliga.
=== Years abroad (2001–2004) === After becoming top scorer, Graulund signed with recently promoted German Bundesliga club VfL Bochum for DM 2.8 million,<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/110-Transfers-in-Liga-zwei_aid_312911.html| title = Absteiger VfL Bochum landet größten "Coup"| date = 20 June 2001| work = RP Online| language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100909154254/http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/110-Transfers-in-Liga-zwei_aid_312911.html| archive-date = 9 September 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/uefa/spielrunde/europa-league/2011-12/aarhus-gf/26495/spieler_peter-graulund.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160401145008/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/uefa/spielrunde/europa-league/2011-12/aarhus-gf/26495/spieler_peter-graulund.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 1 April 2016 | title = Graulund, Peter | language = de | publisher = Kicker | access-date = 5 February 2012}}</ref> where he never got a breakthrough; after a long period as a reserve player, he was loaned out to AGF in February 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=AGF lejer Peter Graulund |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/agf-lejer-peter-graulund/ |website=www.bold.dk |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=28 February 2003}}</ref><ref name="brørup" /> There, he had great success as a goal scorer, but when AGF due to a poor financial situation could not afford buy him out of his contract in Bochum, he instead continued his career with Swedish club Helsingborgs IF,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johansen |first1=Carsten |title=Graulund klar for Helsingborg |url=https://www.bold.dk/fodbold/nyheder/graulund-klar-for-helsingborg/ |website=www.bold.dk |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=30 January 2004}}</ref> where he played for two seasons.
=== AGF (2004–2012) === In 2006, Graulund returned to AGF, where he captained the first team until 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Graulund mister anførerbindet i AGF |url=https://jyllands-posten.dk/sport/fodbold/superliga/agf/ECE3959769/Graulund-mister-anf%C3%B8rerbindet-i-AGF/ |publisher=Jyllands-Posten |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=1 July 2008}}</ref> Steffen Rasmussen then took over the captains armband. A few weeks later, Graulund scored the winner against former club Brøndby, which he later described as "saving my career at AGF", after the disappointment of losing his role as captain.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lindved Norup |first1=Mark |title=Graulund: Målet der reddede min tid i AGF |url=https://www.dr.dk/sporten/fodbold/superliga/graulund-maalet-der-reddede-min-tid-i-agf |publisher=DR |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=14 October 2012 |quote=Derfor nævner han også et mål han scorede i august 2008 mod Brøndby i en 2-1-sejr, som det der har betydet mest for ham. Ikke fordi sejren var vigtigere end så mange andre, han har sikret klubben. Men fordi den scoring forlængede hans ophold i klubben, der ellers var på vej ned ad en blindgyde. - Lige præcis det mål kom i en periode, hvor min daværende træner (Ove Pedersen, red.) havde taget anførerbindet fra mig, og der var rimelig meget ballade i og omkring klubben. - Så det mål tror jeg faktisk betød, at jeg fortsatte i AGF, for havde jeg ikke scoret der, så havde chancen for, at jeg forlod klubben i efteråret 2008, været rimelig stor, siger han til DR Sporten.}}</ref>
His time at AGF was tumultuous, and the club suffered two relegations from the Superliga – in 2005–06 and 2009–10.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ritzau |author-link=Ritzau |title=Millionbeløb skal redde AGF |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/dansk_fodbold/superligaen/agf/article4784666.ece |publisher=Ekstra Bladet |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=10 May 2006 |quote=Selskabet bag fodboldklubben AGF har taget konsekvensen af klubbens nedrykning 1. division. Århus Elite erkender, at AGFs nedtur koster dyrt og regner således med et underskud i 2006 på 3,7 millioner kroner.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Bentow |first1=David |title=Nedrykning til 1. division dyr for AGF-ejerne |url=https://www.berlingske.dk/virksomheder/nedrykning-til-1.-division-dyr-for-agf-ejerne |publisher=Berlingske |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=17 May 2010 |quote=AGFs exit fra superligaen gør ikke kun ondt på tusinder af fodboldfans. Det gør også voldsomt ondt på aktionærerne i fodboldholdets ejer, Århus Elite A/S.}}</ref> The team bounced back in both seasons down in the second-tier 1st Division, with Graulund finishing as top goalscorer in both seasons.
On 29 August 2011, Graulund scored his 100th goal in the Danish Superliga in a match against AC Horsens.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ritzau |author-link=Ritzau |title=Graulund-mål nr. 100 |url=https://www.tv2ostjylland.dk/aarhus/graulund-mal-nr-100 |publisher=TV 2/Østjylland |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=29 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="brørup" /> On 26 October 2011, he tore one of his achilles tendons, which expected to keep him sidelined for nine months. Many experts therefore did not predict Graulund a comeback, as he was already 35 years old.<ref>{{cite web |title=Graulunds karriere i fare |url=https://jyllands-posten.dk/sport/fodbold/ECE4592257/Graulunds-karriere-i-fare/ |publisher=Jyllands-Posten |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=26 October 2011}}</ref> However, Graulund returned to the pitch for AGF after only five months. In his first two matches after returning, he was substituted on with 30 minutes remaining, but managed to score in both matches, which AGF lost.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Laursen |first1=Camilla |title=Comeback til Graulund |url=https://www.tv2ostjylland.dk/aarhus/comeback-til-graulund |publisher=TV 2/Østjylland |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=2 April 2012}}</ref>
On 12 October 2012, however, Graulund was forced to retire effective immediately. He could no longer keep playing after several serious injuries, including the torn achilles tendon the year before.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ritzau |author-link=Ritzau |title=Graulund har spillet sin sidste kamp |url=https://jyllands-posten.dk/sport/fodbold/superliga/agf/ECE4871721/graulund-har-spillet-sin-sidste-kamp/ |publisher=Jyllands-Posten |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=12 October 2012}}</ref> He scored his last Superliga goal when AGF beat Silkeborg 4–0 on 1 September 2012.
Graulund finished his career with 290 Danish Superliga appearance. With his 107 goals, he is number seven on the list of the top goalscorers in the league, surpassed only by Morten "Duncan" Rasmussen, Søren Frederiksen, Peter Møller, Heine Fernandez, Steffen Højer and Frank Kristensen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flest mål i superligaens historie |url=https://www.superstats.dk/maal/flest |website=www.superstats.dk |publisher=SuperStats |accessdate=18 September 2020}}</ref> Of all his appearances, 219 appearances and 100 goals were in the AGF jersey, 93 matches in the Vejle jersey, and 53 matches in the Brøndby jersey. He also made 45 and 21 appearances for Helsingborgs IF and VfL Bochum, respectively.
Besides his club career, Graulund gained six caps and scored two goals for the Denmark national under-21 team.
==Honours== '''Individual''' * AGF Player of the Season: 2010–11 * 1st Division Player of the Year: 2010<ref>{{cite web |title=Peter Graulund er årets profil |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/fodbold/dansk_fodbold/article4129120.ece |publisher=Ekstra Bladet |accessdate=18 September 2020 |language=da |date=30 November 2010}}</ref> * Superliga top scorer: 2000–01 (21 goals) * 1st Division top scorer: 2006–07 (17 goals), 2010–11 (20 goals)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{DBU player|4314}} * [https://www.danskfodbold.com/spiller.php?spillerid=10198 Peter Graulund] official Danish Superliga statistics at danskfodbold.com {{in lang|da}} * {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930213150/http://www.agffodbold.dk/SpillerProfil.asp?id=967 |date=dmy |title=AGF profile {{in lang|da}} }} * {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927002501/http://www.brondby.com/player.asp?sid=14&id=33 |date=dmy |title=Brøndby IF profile {{in lang|da}} }} * {{Fussballdaten|graulundpeter}}
{{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{succession box|before= Jesper Sørensen|title=AGF captain|years=2006–2008|after= Steffen Rasmussen}} {{end}}
{{Danish Superliga top scorers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Graulund, Peter}} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Danish men's footballers Category:Denmark men's under-21 international footballers Category:Denmark men's youth international footballers Category:Vejle Boldklub players Category:Brøndby IF players Category:VfL Bochum players Category:Aarhus Gymnastikforening players Category:Helsingborgs IF players Category:Danish Superliga players Category:Bundesliga players Category:2. Bundesliga players Category:Oberliga (football) players Category:Allsvenskan players Category:Danish expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Sweden Category:Danish expatriate sportspeople in Germany Category:Danish expatriate sportspeople in Sweden Category:Danish football commentators