Gunnar Gren

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Olympic medalist
Gunnar Gren wearing A.C. Milan's uniform
Gunnar Gren
Medal record
Competitor for Flag of Sweden Sweden
Men's Football
Gold 1948 London Team Competition

Gunnar Gren (October 31, 1920 - November 10, 1991) was a Swedish football player and coach, part of the famous "Gre-No-Li" trio of forwards at A.C. Milan and the Swedish national team.

Considered one of Sweden's all-time greats, Gren won several trophies in his career, including the Swedish title with IFK Göteborg. He won the Guldbollen in 1946. In 1949, he joined AC Milan and became the 'Gre' part of the famous Gre-No-Li trio with his international teammates Gunnar Nordahl ('No') and Nils Liedholm ('Li').

Statue of Gunnar Gren outside of Gamla Ullevi stadium.
Statue of Gunnar Gren outside of Gamla Ullevi stadium.

Gren made his debut for Sweden on August 29, 1940 in the team's 3-2 win over Finland. His last cap for the team came on October 26, 1958 against Denmark in a 4-4 draw. At the time, Gren was 37 years, 360 days old. He was a member of the Sweden team that were runners-up in the 1958 World Cup. In all, Gren made 57 appearances for the national team, scoring 32 goals.

After retiring as a player, Gren managed IK Oddevold and GAIS. Gren also was co-manager for Juventus for a brief period in 1961 along with Július Korostelev.

Gren died ten days after his 71st birthday and is buried in Västra Kyrkogården (Western Cemetery), Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden.

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Preceded by
Gunnar Nordahl
Allsvenskan top scorer
1947
Succeeded by
Gunnar Nordahl
Preceded by
none
Swedish Football player of the year
1946
Succeeded by
Gunnar Nordahl