Christiansen born again

By Svend Frandsen

"Who is this Thomas Christiansen?" Werner Hansch of the German television station Sat 1 sounded a bit baffled when naming the scorer of VfL Bochum 1848's fourth goal in their sensational 4-2 away win against Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Saturday.

Talk of the town
If nobody knew him before before the start of the season, the name Christiansen is today on every football lover's lips in the German Ruhr district. Indeed with six goals in three matches Christiansen not only tops the goalscoring charts in Germany ahead of FC Bayern München's Giovane Elber but is also one of the main reasons Bochum lead the 1. Bundesliga with a 100 per cent record.

Feet on ground
Christiansen's scoring streak has already earned him a brand new Mercedes from board member Klaus Peter Schütt, but he insists his "feet remain on the ground". He said: "I am enjoying it at the moment but I know how quickly things can change. I am trying to keep both feet on the ground but of course it's difficult at the moment. We are enjoying the fact that we have made such a great start to the season and this may serve as the foundation for a great season but the target for the club hasn't changed at all. We have to concentrate on securing enough points to remain in the Bundesliga. And there will be plenty of pressure on us in the upcoming matches."

Move to Barcelona
Christiansen's decision to sell the aforementioned Mercedes and "give the money to the families of the victims of the flooding in Germany" shows a generosity which contrasts with his ruthlessness on the field as he finally rediscovers the form he showed a full decade ago when his impressive performances for B93 København earned him a move to Spanish giants FC Barcelona in 1991.

Selected by Spain
With a Spanish mother and Danish father, Christiansen acquired a Spanish passport to facilitate his entry into the Barça side. He made his debut for the Catalans in the first leg of the 1992 UEFA Super Cup final against SV Werder Bremen and was twice selected for the Spanish national team in FIFA World Cup qualifiers in early 1993.

Surplus to requirements
However, Christiansen failed to hold down a first-team place at the Camp Nou and made a succession of loan moves, to Sporting Gijón, Club Atlético Osasuna and Real Racing Club Santander. As a run of injuries also took their toll, Christiansen, eventually found himself playing for Parassa in the Spanish third division. However, following successful stints with Panionios FC in Greece and Herfølge BK back in Denmark, Christiansen was awarded a contract with Bochum where his 17 goals last year in the 2. Liga helped rejuvenate his career.

'Taking it easy'
"If life has taught me anything, it's to keep my feet on the ground, so even if it's quite hectic at the moment, I am taking it easy. I have heard that Iñaki Sáez has been watching my goals in the Bundesliga but a return to the Spanish national team is still very far away," said Christiansen, who plans to move back to Barcelona with his Spanish wife, Nuria, when his career is over. If he keeps up his current form, that move could be on hold for quite some time.