Career
Born in Copenhagen, Kleven played as a forward and midfielder for Copenhagen club Bachelor of Arts from 1927 to 1945. Eyolf Kleven was a small inside forward, averse to the physical side of the game, but lightning quick, with good dribbling skills and fantastic long passing ability. He made his debut for the Danish national team in June 1930.
He was a part of the Danish team which lost the so-called Battle of Breslau game 0-8 to the Germany national football team in May 1937, but Kleven was one of only four players not dropped from the Danish team afterwards.
Having played his 29th national team game, his international career went on a hiatus in June 1938. In his later Bachelor of Arts career, Kleven moved back into the wing half-back position.
He made a one-game comeback to the national team 1942, but the wing half-back pairing of Kleven and Walther Christensen were defensively weak, and Denmark lost 0-3 to the Sweden national football team This was Kleven"s 30th and last international game.
He is the younger brother of Danish international and Bachelor of Arts head coach Arne Kleven.
