from UEFA.com: Olivier Occean

[François]

Interesting to see the news surrounding this player from Montreal...


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Occean drive earns Odd move
Friday, 12 March 2004
Norwegian Premier Division side Odd Grenland have signed Canadian forward Olivier Occean after he impressed during last week's La Manga Cup in Spain.

Spotted by Sandstø
Occean appeared for American side New York/New Jersey MetroStars during the tournament and Odd coach Arne Sandstø was delighted to discover he was a free agent, quickly moving to sign the 22-year-old.

'Complete footballer'
"He is a complete footballer, just the type of player we need up front," said Sandstø, whose side finished fourth last season.


http://www.uefa.com/footballcentral/new ... 53862.html

[Daniel]

Drôle que personne semble avoir reçu le mémo d'il y a environ 3 ans que les Metrostars ne s'appèlent plus NY/NJ mais juste "Metrostars".

[Rune_J]

As requested...
The league of Norvege will start at April 12. Olivier Occean will start on a couple of practice matches before this date in Sweden. OO will arrive Norvege today. I'll try to keep you informed...

Sincerely,
Rune

[hgb]

While we're all very eager to see what Olivier can do in Skien, we really do not know how to pronounce his name. Any hints?

Oh-ch-eahn? (with e as in the, not as in me). Or something. Solution, please

[hgb]

Oh, yeah. Any idea how his English is? I suspect it's good, but there are non-English speaking people in the Montreal area, is there not?

[Daniel]

Oh-say-ahn is the closest to French I can get it in writing.

[François]

Thanks guys for your fast answers. Don't worry, your english is verry good.
Here, we speak french, english, spanish and soon norwegian since it seems our good players are now playing in Norway. We are following Patrice Bernier at Moss and now Occean at Odd. We will follow his progress with your help and will have match thread for both players during the season.
Like I told you on your forum, if you can give us information on Olivier, it would be great. If ever one of you guys from the supporters club want a canadian flag to support Olivier, please send me a personnal message and we can work out a trade.

[hgb]

Oh, yeah. Any idea how his English is? I suspect it's good, but there are non-English speaking people in the Montreal area, is there not?

[François]

Oh, yeah. Any idea how his English is? I suspect it's good, but there are non-English speaking people in the Montreal area, is there not?

In our Province, Quebec, french is the main language. I guess we'll have to teach you a couple of songs in French for Olivier...

[Alqueb]

Oh, yeah. Any idea how his English is? I suspect it's good, but there are non-English speaking people in the Montreal area, is there not?

About 2/3 of the big Montreal area (not in the city) are francophones.

[Bxl Boy]

Did I see well or Occean comes in Odd Grenland because of a supporters action in order to collect money ?
Thank you tou our Norwegian Friends to explain it.

Other question to them : was Edwin Van Ankeren still so fast than some years ago ?

[Daniel]

There are 7 million people in Québec. 6 million are Francophone. However, I'd say that in the Montréal region (3.5 million), the population that understands English must be around 75-80%.

And Olivier speaks English for sure: he went to college in the US.

[Rune_J]

OO has arrived to Skien. He got #10 on his jersey.
http://www.oddrane.no/vis/?ID=1580&handling=std&x=vis

Did I see well or Occean comes in Odd Grenland because of a supporters action in order to collect money ?
Thank you tou our Norwegian Friends to explain it.

The supporters helped out a little as well as extrenal investors.

Other question to them : was Edwin Van Ankeren still so fast than some years ago ?

EVA was a great asset to Odd. He was feared for his speed and many defenders got outrunned by him. He probably lost some speed over the years, but he still is faster than most players.