Igors Stepanovs
Encyclopedia
Igors Nauris Stepanovs is a Latvia
n football defender
, currently playing for FK Jūrmala
. As of April 2010 he has played 99 international matches and scored 4 goals for the Latvia national team
. He made his debut in 1995, and played at Euro 2004
.
). He made his debut in senior football at early age, being just 16 years old. Together with Skonto Riga
he won 7 national titles. In 1995 he made his debut for Latvia national team
and soon he became regular member. While playing with Skonto
, Stepanovs played against teams, like Inter Milano
, Barcelona
and Chelsea
. In few games against such football grands, Skonto
and Stepanovs showed good performance. In 2000 he attracted interest from many European teams.
captain Tony Adams
was injured, prompting Arsène Wenger
to sign Stepanovs for a transfer fee of £1.35m. Stepanovs started the season well, scoring a goal for Arsenal in a 2-1 League Cup
defeat against Ipswich Town. His playing time grew until a match against Manchester United
, when both sides were battling for the Premier League title. Arsenal lost this game 6-1 and their chances of winning the title were hit. After this disappointing performance, Stepanovs played only once again that season, and failed to make a single appearance during the next two seasons. Overall, he played just 17 times in 3 years.
, Stepanovs was moved to K.S.K. Beveren
, which had co-operation agreement with English
club. There he gained back some confidence and he was again in good shape. Stepanovs played well in Latvia national team
, together with it qualifying to Euro 2004
. He played all 3 games there and there again were some teams, who had interest about him. After Euro 2004
Stepanovs joined Grasshopper-Club Zürich
. There he played for 2 seasons, but later he was released. In 2006 he came back to Latvia and played some games for FK Jūrmala
. On 26 January 2007 he moved to Danish Premier League
side Esbjerg fB
on a free transfer, but after just a year he moved to the Russian FC Shinnik Yaroslavl
. He was released by Shinnik Yaroslavl on July 9, 2008 and in April 2009 he signed for RFS/Olimps from Latvia, but just in the same time next year joined his previous team FK Jūrmala
.
Skonto
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n football defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, currently playing for FK Jūrmala
FK Jurmala
FK Jūrmala-VV is a Latvian football club, playing in the top division of Latvian football. They are from the city of Jūrmala.-History:FK Jūrmala was founded in 2003 and its goals included creating a club infrastructure, building a modern stadium in Sloka and popularization of sports among children...
. As of April 2010 he has played 99 international matches and scored 4 goals for the Latvia national team
Latvia national football team
The Latvian national football team is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia and represents the country in international football competitions, such as the World Cup and the European Championships. So far, they have never qualified for a FIFA World...
. He made his debut in 1995, and played at Euro 2004
2004 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, better known as Euro 2004, was the 12th European Football Championship, a quadrennial football tournament for European national teams. It was hosted in Portugal, for the first time, between 12 June and 4 July 2004, following its selection by UEFA, in...
.
Skonto
He started his club career at Skonto-Metāls (now Skonto RigaSkonto FC
Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team...
). He made his debut in senior football at early age, being just 16 years old. Together with Skonto Riga
Skonto FC
Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team...
he won 7 national titles. In 1995 he made his debut for Latvia national team
Latvia national football team
The Latvian national football team is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia and represents the country in international football competitions, such as the World Cup and the European Championships. So far, they have never qualified for a FIFA World...
and soon he became regular member. While playing with Skonto
Skonto FC
Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team...
, Stepanovs played against teams, like Inter Milano
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
, Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
and Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. In few games against such football grands, Skonto
Skonto FC
Skonto FC is a Latvian football club, founded in 1991. The club plays at the Skonto Stadium in Riga. Skonto won the Virsliga in the first 14 seasons of the league's existence , and often provides the core of the Latvia national football team...
and Stepanovs showed good performance. In 2000 he attracted interest from many European teams.
Arsenal
In 2000, legendary ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
captain Tony Adams
Tony Adams (footballer)
Tony Alexander Adams, MBE is an English football manager and former player.Adams spent his entire playing career of 22 years as a defender at Arsenal. He is considered one of the greatest Arsenal players of all time by the club's own fans and was included in the Football League 100 Legends...
was injured, prompting Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
to sign Stepanovs for a transfer fee of £1.35m. Stepanovs started the season well, scoring a goal for Arsenal in a 2-1 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
defeat against Ipswich Town. His playing time grew until a match against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, when both sides were battling for the Premier League title. Arsenal lost this game 6-1 and their chances of winning the title were hit. After this disappointing performance, Stepanovs played only once again that season, and failed to make a single appearance during the next two seasons. Overall, he played just 17 times in 3 years.
Later years
After unsuccessful years with ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, Stepanovs was moved to K.S.K. Beveren
K.S.K. Beveren
Koninklijke Sportkring Beveren was a Belgian association football club from the town of Beveren in East Flanders. It was famous for its goalkeeping school that has produced such players as Jean-Marie Pfaff, Filip De Wilde, Geert De Vlieger, Erwin Lemmens, and Tristan Peersman, all of whom have...
, which had co-operation agreement with English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
club. There he gained back some confidence and he was again in good shape. Stepanovs played well in Latvia national team
Latvia national football team
The Latvian national football team is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia and represents the country in international football competitions, such as the World Cup and the European Championships. So far, they have never qualified for a FIFA World...
, together with it qualifying to Euro 2004
2004 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, better known as Euro 2004, was the 12th European Football Championship, a quadrennial football tournament for European national teams. It was hosted in Portugal, for the first time, between 12 June and 4 July 2004, following its selection by UEFA, in...
. He played all 3 games there and there again were some teams, who had interest about him. After Euro 2004
2004 UEFA European Football Championship
The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, better known as Euro 2004, was the 12th European Football Championship, a quadrennial football tournament for European national teams. It was hosted in Portugal, for the first time, between 12 June and 4 July 2004, following its selection by UEFA, in...
Stepanovs joined Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper-Club Zürich
Grasshopper Club Zürich commonly referred to as simply GC, GCZ, or Grasshopper is a Swiss multisports club based in Zürich. The oldest and best known section of Grasshopper Club Zürich is its football team...
. There he played for 2 seasons, but later he was released. In 2006 he came back to Latvia and played some games for FK Jūrmala
FK Jurmala
FK Jūrmala-VV is a Latvian football club, playing in the top division of Latvian football. They are from the city of Jūrmala.-History:FK Jūrmala was founded in 2003 and its goals included creating a club infrastructure, building a modern stadium in Sloka and popularization of sports among children...
. On 26 January 2007 he moved to Danish Premier League
Danish Superliga
The Danish Superliga is the current Danish football championship tournament, and administered by the Danish Football Association. It is the highest association football league in Denmark and is currently contested by 12 teams each year, with 2 teams to be relegated, which proves to be one of the...
side Esbjerg fB
Esbjerg fB
Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber also referred to as Esbjerg fB or simply EfB is a professional Danish football club from the port city of Esbjerg in West Jutland. The club was formed in 1924, as a merger between Esbjerg Boldklub af 1898 and Esbjerg Amatørklub af 1911. The club has training facilities...
on a free transfer, but after just a year he moved to the Russian FC Shinnik Yaroslavl
FC Shinnik Yaroslavl
FC Shinnik Yaroslavl is a Russian football club, based in Yaroslavl.From 1957 to 1960 the team was called Khimik.- Russia:- Current squad :, according to the .-Out on loan:- Notable players :...
. He was released by Shinnik Yaroslavl on July 9, 2008 and in April 2009 he signed for RFS/Olimps from Latvia, but just in the same time next year joined his previous team FK Jūrmala
FK Jurmala
FK Jūrmala-VV is a Latvian football club, playing in the top division of Latvian football. They are from the city of Jūrmala.-History:FK Jūrmala was founded in 2003 and its goals included creating a club infrastructure, building a modern stadium in Sloka and popularization of sports among children...
.
Club
Arsenal- FA Premier LeagueFA Premier LeagueThe Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
: 2001–02, - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
: 2001–022002 FA Cup FinalThe 2002 FA Cup Final was the final match of the 2001–02 FA Cup competition. It was an all-London affair between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium on 4 May 2002...
, 2002–03,
Skonto
- Latvian Champion (7):
- 1992, 1995-2000
- Latvian Footballer of the YearLatvian Footballer of the YearLatvian Footballer of the Year is an association football award for Latvia. It is held by the Latvian Football Federation.-Winners:* 1995: Vitālijs Astafjevs* 1996: Vitālijs Astafjevs* 1997: Jurijs Ševļakovs* 1998: Mihails Zemļinskis* 1999: Marians Pahars...
(1): - 2005
External links
- Stepanovs International Appearances Voetbal International Latvian Football Federation
- Stepanov at "legioner"
- National Football Teams