От всей души поздравляю Сами Хююпию с ДР!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quotes for Sami Hyypia
"When I played in Holland for Willem II nobody knew me as I played in quite a small team. Since I joined Liverpool everybody in Holland is interested in me."
Sami Hyypia
"The chance to go into the Champions League with the team I supported as a boy would be fantastic. If anybody had told me three years ago that I would be playing for Liverpool and we would be third in the Premiership I would have just laughed at them and said they were crazy.
The boss was very brave for bringing in so many new faces all at once last summer. He is a good manager with a very good eye for players. He has a great knowledge of footballers all over Europe. That is why he was not scared to sign so many like me - players who no-one had ever heard of."
Hyypia in March 2002
"I have no doubt Sami is one of the world's best defenders. He is the perfect captain, takes responsibility and gives everything for the team. When we go into the huddle and have our brief pep-talk, Sami is always boss. Everybody respects him because we know he always gives 100 per cent.
If something needs done, Sami is the one we talk to because he goes and does it. I like that about him. I have already learned a lot from him since I joined the club. If I've made a mistake in a match I ask Sami what I should have done and he gives me advice. He is a guy who holds everyone together when we need him most in hard games and tough atmospheres."
John Arne Riise in 2003
"Of course I am not happy about it. But I feel relief now that I can get used to the idea that I am not captain anymore. I don't feel myself as a worse player because I don't have the armband anymore.
There was nothing dramatic over changing the captaincy. I didn't say anything because it was the manager's decision and I respect that. I believe that captaincy will bring Gerrard to a new level. He's a young and talented English player, who has a great future ahead of him.
I am not happy about our start to the season. We have to play better and we will do that. If the change of captaincy helps, then it's a good decision."
Hyypia lost his captaincy in October 2003
"Obviously I spoke to Sami and his response was typically first class. He respects the decision and there was no bitterness or resentment. I know Sami will recognise this is a decision I've taken for the team. I have thought long and hard about this. This is not something which should be seen as against Sami. He has been a good captain for us and lifted six trophies. This decision will help Sami. I think he was ready to take on too much responsibility at times."
Houllier
"I’ve enjoyed giving our big defender plenty of grief since I scored against Finland in a World Cup qualifier. He was once spotted on a dance floor but reports say he was not exactly the most graceful thing on two legs, allegedly. Hasn’t been allowed to forget it."
Owen in 2001 on Sami
I want to stay at Liverpool, there is no doubt about that. We will see what happens. There have been no talks yet but I have a year left on my contract and I am doing my best. In football, you are on the bench sometimes and then when you play you have to try and show people what you can do.
Of course, for me this is the first time in my whole career that I have experienced sitting on the bench. Every player likes to play, but I can understand the decisions. He is the manager and when he puts me in the team I will always try and do my best. I consider myself a good professional and will do a job when needed."
Sami Hyypia in April 2005
"I actually saw our first goal in the dressing room while I was having treatment, so that was pretty strange. I was on the treatment table and I saw the goal on the TV and heard the roar."
Morientes scored his first goal vs. Middlesbro on 10th of December 2005 when Hyypia was off the field having treatment
"I played alongside two of the greatest centre-backs of all time – Phil Thompson and Mark Lawrenson, Gary Gillespie wasn’t far behind them, he was unlucky with injuries – and Hyypia would fall into that category. I would’ve no problem playing alongside Hyypia. If we played in partnership we’d play off one another and I think he’d be very easy to play alongside. He’s a real quality player."
Alan Hansen on Sami Hyypia in 2000
"Everyone talks about foreign players like Zola, Henry and Bergkamp but they never look at Sami. In terms of consistency he's well up there with them, there's no doubt about it. Maybe he can do something out of the blue every now and again but every week, for nine months of the season, Sami Hyypia is your man. He's definitely one of the best foreign players this country has ever seen."
Carra praises Hyypia in the summer of 2006
