Karel Poborský Explained

Karel Poborský
Fullname:Karel Poborský[1]
Birth Date:30 March 1972
Birth Place:Jindřichův Hradec, Czechoslovakia
Height:1.74 m
Position:Winger
Youthyears1:1978–1984
Youthclubs1:TJ Třeboň
Youthyears2:1984–1987
Youthclubs2:České Budějovice
Youthyears3:1987–1988
Youthclubs3:Jiskra Třeboň
Youthyears4:1988–1990
Youthclubs4:České Budějovice
Years1:1991–1994
Caps1:82
Goals1:15
Years2:1994–1995
Caps2:28
Goals2:10
Years3:1995–1996
Clubs3:Slavia Prague
Caps3:26
Goals3:11
Years4:1996–1998
Caps4:32
Goals4:5
Years5:1998–2000
Clubs5:Benfica
Caps5:61
Goals5:11
Years6:2000–2002
Clubs6:Lazio
Caps6:46
Goals6:5
Years7:2002–2005
Clubs7:Sparta Prague
Caps7:87
Goals7:26
Years8:2005–2007
Caps8:26
Goals8:10
Totalcaps:388
Totalgoals:93
Nationalyears1:1994–2006
Nationalcaps1:118
Nationalgoals1:8

Karel Poborský (in Czech pronounced as /ˈkarɛl ˈpoborskiː/; born 30 March 1972) is a Czech former professional footballer who played as a winger. He was most noted for his technical ability and pace.

He began and finished his club career at Dynamo České Budějovice, where his kit number (8) is retired in his honour. He also won the Czech First League titles at the two largest clubs in Prague - Slavia and Sparta. Between these domestic triumphs, he won a Premier League title at Manchester United and also played for Benfica and Lazio.

After Petr Čech, Poborský ranks second in appearances for the Czech national team, with 118 between 1994 and 2006, retiring from international football after playing at the country's first World Cup. He also played in three European Championships, being named in the Team of the Tournament at UEFA Euro 1996 after helping the Czechs to the final.

Club career

Early career

Poborský made his top-flight debut for Dynamo České Budějovice in the 1991–92 Czechoslovak First League. He transferred to Prague-based Viktoria Žižkov in the summer of 1994, before moving to local rivals Slavia Prague in the summer of 1995.

In the 1995–96 season, Poborský led Slavia Prague to the Czech First League title, as well as to the semi-finals of the 1995–96 UEFA Cup.[2]

Manchester United

Poborský was one of a number of the Czech squad at UEFA Euro 1996 who left the Czech Republic to play in another country after the tournament.[3] After offers came in from Liverpool and Lazio,[3] Poborský signed for Manchester United in June 1996 for a fee of £3.5 million,[4] He made his club debut in the 1996 FA Charity Shield against Newcastle United, appearing as a substitute for Nicky Butt in a 4–0 win.[5] Poborský added more silverware by collecting a Premier League title winner's medal in the 1996–97 season, playing in 22 out of 38 league games and scoring three goals, also helping United reach the Champions League semi-finals.[6] Due to David Beckham's rising stardom, Poborský would only manage one and a half seasons at Old Trafford; in December 1997 Poborský left Manchester United, having made only six starts for the club that season. His last match for United was a substitute appearance against Everton on 26 December.[4]

Benfica and Lazio

Poborský moved to Portuguese side Benfica in December 1997 for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract to play for Graeme Souness' side.[4] Poborský played for the Portuguese side for three years. Shortly after manager Toni Oliveira arrived at the club in December 2000, Poborský found himself looking for a new club.[2]

Poborský joined Italian side SS Lazio in February 2001 on an 18-month contract for a transfer fee of £700,000.[7] He scored his first goal for Lazio in a 5–3 win against Verona on 25 February 2001.[8] On the final day of the 2001–02 Serie A season, Poborský scored twice as Lazio beat title contenders Inter Milan 4–2, causing the title to go to Juventus instead.[9] He left Lazio following the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.[2]

Return to Czech Republic

In July 2002, Poborský returned to his homeland, signing as a free agent with Sparta Prague, where he became the highest-paid footballer playing in the Czech Republic.[2] [10] During his time at Sparta he celebrated two league championships - in the 2002–03 and 2004–05 seasons, as well as the national cup in 2003–04.[11]

In 2005 he returned to his first club, Dynamo České Budějovice, scoring two goals and setting up a third on the way to a 4–0 victory against Sigma Olomouc B in his first match.[12] He retired on 28 May 2007 after playing his final match: a 2–1 home loss against another of his former sides, Slavia Prague.[13] Dynamo České Budějovice, by which time had Poborský on board as a co-owner, subsequently retired his number 8.[14]

International career

Poborský's first international appearance, against Turkey on 23 February 1994,[15] was also the first match for the Czech Republic after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia.

Euro 96

He played for his country at Euro 96, where he was one of the most valuable players of the entire tournament. After losing against Germany in the opening group match, a Poborský cross resulted in a goal for teammate Pavel Nedvěd in a 2–1 win against Italy. In the knockout stages of the tournament, Poborský scored his first international goal: his lob shot over Portugal goalkeeper Vítor Baía settled a game which the Czech Republic won 1–0.[16] In the semi-finals against France, Poborský was among those who scored penalties in the shootout as the Czech Republic prevailed after a goalless match.[17] In the final, Poborský was fouled by German defender Matthias Sammer, with the resulting penalty being converted by Patrik Berger. Ultimately Germany prevailed 2–1 with a golden goal settling the game, leaving the Czech Republic as runners-up. Poborský was given the Man of the Match award.[18]

Poborský lob

Poborský's name is often attached to his performance at the UEFA Euro 1996, where during the quarter-final match against Portugal, he chipped the ball and lobbed it over the advancing Vítor Baía.[19] The goal became a trademark shot for Poborský, as that shooting style was soon attributed to him.[20] In 2008, Poborský's 1996 lob was voted the best individual goal in the Carlsberg goal of the day poll on the UEFA official website.[21]

Euro 2000

Poborský was part of the Czech Republic squad at Euro 2000. He scored his country's first goal of the tournament from the penalty spot, against France in a 2–1 group stage loss, which resulted in their elimination from the championship.[22] In the nation's final match of the group stage, against Denmark, Poborský provided the pass from which Vladimír Šmicer opened the scoring, with the game finishing 2–0.[23]

Euro 2004

Poborský played at Euro 2004, where he became the tournament's top assist provider with four.[24] In his team's opening match against Latvia, Poborský sent a shot over the crossbar in the first half before Latvia took an unexpected lead. In the second half he made numerous crosses to teammate Milan Baroš, with the latter finally converting one to equalise the match at 1–1 in the 72nd minute. The match finished 2–1 after Marek Heinz scored a late winner for the Czech Republic.[25] In the Czech Republic's second group stage match against the Netherlands, the opposition took a 2–0 lead, however the Czech Republic came back into the match and Poborský assisted the game-winning third Czech goal, scored by Vladimír Šmicer, to make sure of victory.[16] With the Czech Republic already having qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament, Poborský was one of nine players rested for the final group-stage match against Germany. He played from the 70th minute as a substitute for Jaroslav Plašil as the Czech Republic won 2–1 and eliminated Germany.[26]

At the quarter-final stage, Poborský provided two more assists as the Czech Republic defeated Denmark 3–0, with all of the goals coming in the second half. In the 49th minute his corner was converted by Jan Koller to open the scoring; later in the 63rd minute a Poborský through ball found Milan Baroš, who doubled their team's advantage. Baroš later scored his second to complete the scoring.[27] In the semi-finals, the Czech Republic came up against Greece. The game was Poborský's 99th for his national team.[2] Although Poborský created a couple of chances, the Czech Republic were unable to score, and ultimately lost after defender Traianos Dellas scored a silver goal for Greece in extra time.[28]

Other international matches

He was also in the nation's squad for the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2006 World Cup. He announced his international retirement after the 2006 World Cup, having scored 8 goals and made at that time a record 118 appearances for his national team.[15]

Football administration

After concluding his playing career, Poborský became technical director of the Czech national team.[20] He held the role from almost two years, until resigning in April 2009.[29]

In 2011, Poborský became chairman of the newly founded, a member of FIFPRO.[30] He stepped away from the role two years later in June 2013, mentioning the workload of his role as chairman of the board of Dynamo České Budějovice as the reason behind his decision.[31]

Personal life

Poborský was previously married with two children. After the breakdown of his marriage he had another daughter.[32] In 2013 Poborský moved from Hluboká nad Vltavou to Prague.[33] In 2016, Poborský was put into a medical-induced coma after contracting a brain infection that left the muscles in his face paralysed and with a hypersensitivity to light. Poborský spent three weeks quarantined in hospital before making a full recovery, but he said if he had arrived at the hospital a day later, he might have died.[17] Poborský's nickname is Steve, after the similarly-named Canadian skier Steve Podborski.[34]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOther[35] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
České Budějovice1991–92Czechoslovak First League260
1992–93297
1993–94Czech First League278
Total8215
Viktoria Žižkov1994–95[36] Czech First League2710
1995–96[37] 10
Total2810
Slavia Prague1995–96Czech First League2611201123913
Manchester United1996–97Premier League22320216010334
1997–9810200104000152
Total325203110010486
Benfica1998–99Primeira Divisão195
1999–2000295
2000–01131
Total6111
Lazio2000–01Serie A19100
2001–02274
Total46500
Sparta Prague2002–03Czech First League298
2003–042811
2004–05246
2005–0661
Total8126
České Budějovice2005–06Czech 2. Liga148
2006–07Czech First League122
Total2610
Career total38893

Notes

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[38]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Czech Republic199460
199550
1996121
199790
199880
1999111
2000102
2001110
2002101
200382
2004110
2005100
200671
Total1188

Scores and results list Czech Republic's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Poborský goal.

List of international goals scored by Karel Poborský
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 23 June 1996 Villa Park, Birmingham 1–0 1–0 Euro 1996
2 8 September 1999 Na Stínadlech, Teplice 3–0 3–0 Euro 2000 qualifying
3 16 June 2000 Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges 1–1 1–2 Euro 2000
4 2 September 2000 Georgi Asparuhov Stadium, Sofia 1–0 1–0 2002 World Cup qualification
5 16 October 2002 Na Stínadlech, Teplice 1–0 2–0 Euro 2004 qualifying
6 10 September 2003 Toyota Arena, Prague 2–0 3–1 Euro 2004 qualifying
7 15 November 2003 Na Stínadlech, Teplice 3–0 5–1 Friendly
8 1 March 2006 İzmir Atatürk Stadium, İzmir 1–0 2–2 Friendly

Honours

Slavia Prague

1995–96[2]

Manchester United

1996–97[6]

1996[5]

Sparta Prague

2003–04[11]

Czech Republic

Individual

1996 (shared with Patrik Berger)[39]

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players . FIFA . 8 . 21 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190610174527/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf . 10 June 2019.
  2. News: Poborský prodloužil, pokračuje ve Spartě . Mladá fronta Dnes. 20 July 2004. 28 May 2024. cs.
  3. News: Simon. Turnbull. All aboard gravy train. The Independent. 7 July 1996. 18 April 2012.
  4. News: Poborsky quits United. BBC News. 27 December 1997. 28 May 2024.
  5. News: Glenn. Moore. Hungry United devour Keegan's pretenders. The Independent. 11 August 1996. 28 May 2024.
  6. Web site: Karel Poborsky: Overview . Premier League . 17 April 2018.
  7. News: Poborsky criticises United. BBC News. 4 March 2001. 28 May 2024.
  8. News: Poborský dal za Lazio první gól . Mladá fronta Dnes. 25 February 2001. 28 May 2024. cs.
  9. Web site: Juve's gain is Inter's pain. https://web.archive.org/web/20171005202348/http://www.espn.com/soccer/news/2002/0505/1378294.html. 5 October 2017. ESPN. 5 May 2002. 5 October 2017.
  10. News: Poborský bude hrát za své Budějovice . Mladá fronta Dnes. 23 September 2005. 3 April 2013. cs.
  11. Jeřábek 2007, p. 156.
  12. News: Poborský dal dva góly a třetí připravil. Mladá fronta Dnes. 25 September 2005. 3 April 2013. cs.
  13. News: Poborskému se rozlučka s kariérou proti Slavii nepodařila . Czech Radio. 29 May 2007. 28 May 2024. cs.
  14. News: Ceske Budejovice retire jersey in tribute to Poborsky . Czech Radio. 29 May 2007. 28 May 2024. Ian. Willoughby.
  15. News: Poborsky quits international game. BBC News. 11 July 2006. 28 May 2024.
  16. News: OBRAZEM: Lišák Poborský oslavil 50. Dloubák Portugalcům? Nejjednodušší řešení . Deník. 31 March 2022. 28 May 2024. cs.
  17. News: Michael. Butler. Karel Poborsky: "They put me into a coma. All my face muscles were paralysed". The Guardian. 20 April 2019 . 22 April 2019 .
  18. News: 6 October 2003. Bierhoff the hero of Germany's EURO '96 final win against Czech Republic. UEFA. 28 May 2024.
  19. News: Jon. Culley. Poborsky piques Portugal. The Independent. 24 June 1996. 23 June 2016.
  20. News: Poborsky, a Czech constant. FIFA. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924233726/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/do-you-remember/people=154906/index.html . dead . 24 September 2015. 23 June 2016.
  21. Web site: Poborský voted best solo strike. UEFA. 7 May 2008. 1 May 2015.
  22. News: Djorkaeff puts Czechs out. BBC News. 16 June 2000. 28 May 2024.
  23. News: Smicer brace gives Czechs win. BBC News. 21 June 2000. 28 May 2024.
  24. Web site: Euro final tournament assists: All you need to know. https://web.archive.org/web/20210418133719/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/025e-0f9c881c7fb4-c8a45ab1df98-1000--euro-final-tournament-assists-all-you-need-to-know/. 18 April 2021. UEFA. 17 June 2020. 14 July 2020.
  25. News: Czech Rep 2-1 Latvia. BBC News. 15 June 2004. 28 May 2024.
  26. News: Germany 1-2 Czech Rep. BBC News. 23 June 2004. 28 May 2024.
  27. News: Czech Republic 3-0 Denmark. BBC News. 27 June 2004. 28 May 2024.
  28. News: Greece in Final After Sensational Victory over Czechs. Deutsche Welle. 1 July 2004. 28 May 2024.
  29. News: Proč Poborský rezignoval? . Deník. 10 April 2009. 30 May 2024. cs.
  30. News: Čeští profesionální fotbalisté založili svou asociaci . Týden. 2 June 2011. 30 May 2024. cs.
  31. News: Poborský odstoupil z čela České asociace fotbalových hráčů . Mladá fronta Dnes. 28 June 2013. 30 May 2024. cs.
  32. News: Ještě den a bylo pozdě, přiznává Poborský o své nemoci . Mladá fronta Dnes. 9 September 2019. 29 May 2024. cs.
  33. News: Poborský se přestěhoval, přišel tak o post krajského zastupitele . Mladá fronta Dnes. 20 March 2013. 29 May 2024. cs.
  34. News: Autor vítězného lobu ze čtvrtfinále Eura 1996 Karel Poborský slaví 45. narozeniny . Czech Radio. 30 March 2017. 30 May 2024. cs.
  35. Includes the FA Charity Shield and Supercoppa Italiana
  36. Web site: SK Slavia Prague stats (1995). https://web.archive.org/web/20090108131505/http://www.slavia.cz/historie.asp?id=1995 . 8 January 2009 . 15 March 2012 .
  37. Web site: SK Slavia Prague stats (1996). https://web.archive.org/web/20100428042740/http://www.slavia.cz/historie.asp?id=1996 . 28 April 2010 . 15 March 2012 .
  38. Web site: Karel Poborský Century of International Appearances . RSSSF. 23 July 2006 . 13 March 2012.
  39. Jeřábek 2007, p. 254.
  40. News: 1996 team of the tournament. https://web.archive.org/web/20120625000556/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/memories/newsid=1625267.html. 25 June 2012. UEFA. 18 November 2011.
  41. Web site: UEFA EURO Portugal 2004 Statistics. https://web.archive.org/web/20111130173132/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2004/statistics/round=1581/players/type=assists/index.html. 30 November 2011. UEFA.
  42. Jeřábek 2007, p. 255.