From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Vladimír Šmicer
Vladimír Šmicer
Vladimír Šmicer Vladimír Šmicer (born 24 May 1973 in Děčín) is a former
Czech football midfielder and forward player. Šmicer was
a devout player of Slavia Prague, the only Czech club he
ever played for. He also played notably for Lens in France,
with whom he won the Ligue 1 title. In 1999, Šmicer
moved to England, where he played several seasons for
Liverpool and won various trophies there. He is best re-
membered for his time in Liverpool, particularly a great
goal in the 2005 Champions League Final. Internationally
he played 81 times for the Czech national team. In 2009
he ended his professional career.
Early career
Personal information
An attacking midfielder, Šmicer first shot to prominence
in 1996, helping Slavia Prague reach the semi-finals of the
Full name Vladimír Šmicer UEFA Cup and then starring for the Czech Republic dur-
Date of birth 24 May 1973 (1973-05-24) ing their run to the final of Euro 96.
Šmicer didn’t have to wait for notice at Euro 96. He
Place of birth Děčín, Czechoslovakia signed a contract with the French club Lens prior to the
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) championship. While at Lens, he enjoyed more success,
inspiring the club to a first ever-French title in 1997/
Playing position Attacking midfielder
98. That season he scored seven goals and was a leader
Youth career on the ground. He played in the Champions League and
played a pivotal role in the side’s successes in this tour-
1979–1985 TJ Verneřice
nament.
1985–1987 Kovostroj Děčín He left Lens to move to Liverpool in June 1999.
1987–1992 Slavia Prague
Senior career* Liverpool
Years Team Apps† (Gls)† Šmicer joined Liverpool for a fee of £4.2 million, recruited
to fill the void left by the departure of Steve McManaman
1992–1996 Slavia Prague 81 (26) to Real Madrid. Upon arriving at Anfield in 1999, Šmicer
1996–1999 Lens 91 (16) was given the famous Number 7 shirt although he would
later wear number 11. When he left Liverpool in 2005,
1999–2005 Liverpool 121 (10) Šmicer said "Just signing for Liverpool in itself was a dream
2005–2007 Bordeaux 28 (3) because I supported them as a kid. It was a dream come true".
He made his debut for Liverpool in a game against Sh-
2007–2009 Slavia Prague 23 (5)
effield Wednesday at Hillsborough.[1] Liverpool won the
– Total 344 (60 )
60 game 2–0 and Šmicer impressed with his initial input.
However his first campaign in the Premiership was a dif-
National team
ficult one as he struggled to come to terms with the pace
1993 Czechoslovakia 1 (0) of the English game and his cause was not helped by a
1993–2005 Czech Republic 81 (27) succession of injuries.
The 2000/2001 season saw Šmicer or "Vladi", as the
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the Liverpool fans affectionately called him, fare much bet-
domestic league only and correct as of 17 July 2009.
ter; whether he played on the flanks or behind the front
† Appearances (Goals).
two. Having got to grips with life in the Premiership and
regaining full fitness he showed in glimpses just what he
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Vladimír Šmicer
is really capable of and played an important role in the the worst moment of his career and he even considered
Reds treble cup triumph. retiring. As a result, he missed the 2006 World Cup in Ger-
Unfortunately he was plagued with injury problems many, but he did not retire. After another long recovery,
and a lack of consistency meant he was in and out of the Šmicer did not extend his contract in Bordeaux and left
team. However, there were some memorable moments the club in the summer of 2007. He made 28 appearances
for the Czech Republic international, including the last and scored three goals during his time at the club.
minute winner against Chelsea in 2002,[2] and a stunning
volley against Borussia Dortmund[3] in Europe along with
his impressive performance in the 2–0 win over Roma in
Slavia Prague
the Champions League at Anfield. A serious injury suf- In July 2007, Šmicer returned to SK Slavia Praha, where
fered in late 2003 however blighted the rest of his Liver- he signed a one year contract. His return to Slavia
pool career. He managed to battle his way back to fit- sparked joy among the club’s supporters. That season,
ness in the 2004–2005 season and due to a severe inju- Slavia won its first league title after 12 years, a triumph
ry crisis at the club, Šmicer began to feature prominent- which Šmicer was also part of. Overall, he has not played
ly for Liverpool under new manager Rafael Benítez. His much because of injuries. In 2008 he won the Personality
playing return coincided with Liverpool’s quest for the of the League award at the Czech Footballer of the Year
Champions League as he made substitute appearances awards.[5] He ended his football career after draw 0–0
against Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Chelsea as Liver- with Viktoria Plzeň on 9 November 2009.[6] He officially
pool qualified for the Champions League Final against made farewell with professional football career at Synot
A.C. Milan. Tip Arena in Prague on 11 May 2010, at the friendly
Prior to the final, it was decided by Benitez that match Slavia Prague – Sparta Prague, featuring legendary
Šmicer’s contract was not to be renewed. Furthermore, players of both clubs. 15,000 fans attended his last
Šmicer, who celebrated his 32nd birthday the day before, match.[7]
didn’t start the final. However, after 22 minutes, an inju-
ry to Harry Kewell gave him his opportunity to end his
Liverpool career in style: "Before the final, I so was eager to
International career
get on. It was my last match for Liverpool so I was determined Šmicer began his International career in 1993. He was
to end it in style. I was free in my head and that was my motiva- an essential player in three European Championships for
tion – to do well for the club in my last match. I wanted to enjoy the Czech Republic. In total earning 81 caps, scoring 27
the big game." goals. He also has one cap for the old Czechoslovakia na-
Despite being named as a substitute, Šmicer was soon tional team.
brought on for Kewell, who had suffered an injury. At Šmicer was part of the Czech Republic squad for Euro
that time the scoreline was 1–0 to Milan and Liverpool 1996. The then-22-year-old midfielder started the coun-
then went on to go 3-0 down at half time, but in the sec- try’s stunning campaign in England. The Czechs were
ond half, Liverpool managed to command more of the down 3–2 in a game against Russia and needed to draw
pitch and just past the hour mark when Liverpool captain in order to qualify for the play-off rounds. Šmicer scored
Steven Gerrard pulled a goal back from a John Arne Riise the all important equalizer two minutes before the end
cross. Less than two minutes later, Šmicer struck a of the game. The Czechs then advanced through the play-
20-yard shot which flew past Dida into the far right cor- offs to the final game, which they lost to Germany after
ner. After Xabi Alonso scored the eqauliser, the match extra-time.
went into extra-time and then penalties, in which Šmicer Four years later, in Euro 2000. Šmicer scored both
scored the decisive penalty for Liverpool. He celebrated goals in the national team’s only victory, 2–0 against Den-
his converted spot kick with a kiss of his shirt’s badge in mark. At Euro 2004, he scored the winning goal in the
front of the Liverpool fans. Moments later, Jerzy Dudek team’s 3–2 win over the Netherlands. In that game, the
saved Andriy Shevchenko’s penalty to win both the Czechs were 2–0 down after 20 minutes of play but still
shoot-out and the final for Liverpool.[4] managed to recover. The comeback began an impressive
march to the tournament’s semi-finals. Šmicer has said
the game against Netherlands was the most memorable
Bordeaux moment in his international career.
Šmicer moved on to Bordeaux in the summer of 2005. Šmicer holds the distinction of being one of only four
In the 2006–07 Champions League, Bordeaux were drawn players to score at three UEFA European Championships
against Liverpool in the group stages. He indicated his – Euro ’96, Euro 2000 and Euro 2004. The others being Jür-
delight at returning to Anfield, although injury barred gen Klinsmann (Euro 88, Euro 92 and Euro 96), Thierry
him from playing a part in either of the two matches be- Henry and Nuno Gomes (both Euro 2000, Euro 2004 and
tween the sides. Šmicer suffered a serious knee injury Euro 2008).
that sidelined him for more than a year. The injury was
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Vladimír Šmicer
Although he didn’t play at Euro 2008, Šmicer made his
debut as a television commentator during the Euro 2008
References
opening match between the home team Switzerland and [1] "Sheffield Wednesday 1 – 2 Liverpool".
his native Czech Republic, held 7 June in Basel. LFCHistory.net. http://www.lfchistory.net/
viewgame.asp?game_id=2217. Retrieved
2009-11-10.
Managerial career [2] "Smicer’s late strike takes ’Pool to the top". Irish
Just one day after retiring from football, Šmicer became Examiner. 2002-03-25. http://archives.tcm.ie/
sports manager of the Czech national football team work- irishexaminer/2002/03/25/story25345.asp.
ing alongside coach Michal Bílek.[8] [9] Retrieved 2009-11-10.
[3] "Liverpool cruise through". BBC Sport. 2001-10-30.
Personal life http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/
champions_league/1626478.stm. Retrieved
He is married to Pavlína Vízková. They have a daughter, 2009-11-10.
Natalie, and a son, Jiří. [4] "AC Milan 3–3 Liverpool (aet)". BBC Sport.
2005-05-25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/
Statistics football/europe/4573159.stm. Retrieved
2009-11-10.
[5] (Czech) Historie ankety Fotbalista roku at ČMFS
Honours website
[6] Šmicer hört auf
SK Slavia Praha [7] Jaromír Novák: Fotbalový Eden slavil: Šmicerovu
benefici ozdobilo dvanáct gólů at iDNES.cz, 11 May
Winner:
2010
• : (3) 1995–96, 2007–08, 2008–09
[8] Šmicer named Czech national team manager
[9] "Smicer given Czech Republic role". BBC Sport.
RC Lens
2009-11-10. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/
Winner:
Winner football/internationals/8352694.stm. Retrieved
• : (1) 1997–98 2009-11-10.
• : (1) 1999
Liverpool External links
Winner
Winner: • Vladimír Šmicer international stats at the Czech
• : (1) 2001 Football Association website (Czech)
• : (2) 2001, 2003 • Vladimír Šmicer career stats at Soccerbase
• : (1) 2001 • Past Player Profile, liverpoolfc.tv. Accessed 19 August
• : (1) 2001 2008.
• : (1) 2005 • Guardian Football
• : (1) 2001 • Profile and pictures on Sitercl.com
Runner-up
Runner-up: • Player profile at LFChistory.net
• : 2001-02 Persondata
• : 2002
Name Smicer, Vladimir
• : 2005
Alternative names
Bordeaux Short description footballer
Winner:
Winner Date of birth 24 May 1973
• : (1) 2007 Place of birth Děčín, Czechoslovakia
Date of death
National Team Czech
Place of death
• Runner-up
• 3rd Place
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Vladimír Šmicer
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Czechoslovakia League Cup League Cup Continental Total
1992–93 Slavia Prague First League 21 9
Czech Republic League Czech Republic League Cup Europe Total
Cup
1993–94 Slavia Prague Gambrinus 18 6
1994–95 liga 16 3
1995–96 28 9
France League Coupe de France Coupe de la Europe Total
Ligue
1996–97 Lens Division 1 33 5
1997–98 28 7
1998–99 30 4
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
1999–00 Liverpool Premier 21 1 2 0 2 0 0 0
2000–01 League 27 2 5 1 6 4 11 0
2001–02 22 4 1 0 1 0 11 1
2002–03 21 0 1 0 5 0 6 1
2003–04 20 3 1 0 1 1 3 0
2004–05 10 0 0 0 0 0 6 1
France League Coupe de France Coupe de la Europe Total
Ligue
2005–06 Girondins Ligue 1 25 3
2006–07 Bordeaux 3 0
Czech Republic League Czech Republic League Cup Europe Total
Cup
2007–08 Slavia Prague Gambrinus 12 2
2008–09 liga 8 3
2009–10 3 0
Total Czechoslovakia 21 9
Czech Republic 85 23
France 119 19
England 121 10
Career total 346 61
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vladim%C3%ADr_%C5%A0micer&oldid=462724553"
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Vladimír Šmicer
Categories:
• 1973 births
• Living people
• People from Děčín
• Czech footballers
• Czechoslovak footballers
• Czech Republic international footballers
• Czech expatriate footballers
• Liverpool F.C. players
• FC Girondins de Bordeaux players
• RC Lens players
• Expatriate footballers in France
• Expatriate footballers in England
• SK Slavia Prague players
• Premier League players
• UEFA Euro 1996 players
• 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup players
• UEFA Euro 2000 players
• UEFA Euro 2004 players
• Czechoslovakia international footballers
• Gambrinus liga players
• Ligue 1 players
• Czech football managers
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