Imants Bleidelis
Encyclopedia
Imants Bleidelis is a former football midfielder
from Latvia
. He last played for FK Liepājas Metalurgs. He has made 106 appearances for the Latvia national team
.
in 1992. In 1994 he played for Inter Skonto, and then between 1994 and 1999 he played 128 games scoring 24 games for Skonto. Skonto then sold him to English
club, Southampton
who were then in the Premier League, for £650,000, where he joined fellow-countryman Marian Pahars
. Bleidelis signed a three-and-a-half-year contreact. However, he played only two league games in three seasons, and after being allowed to go on trial in Denmark
with Superliga
club, Viborg FF
January 2003 Southampton released him on 26 January, and two days later he signed a two year contract with Viborg, where he scored six goals in 55 appearances.
However, he left Viborg in winter 2004 after turning down a new contract. Despite offers from two Latvian clubs, Skonto and FK Venta in 2005 he moved to Austria
to play for Austrian Bundesliga Grazer AK
where he signed a two year contract. He made his debut for the club on 17 February 2005 in the UEFA Cup against English club Middlesbrough
.
He moved back to Latvia in 2006 with FK Jūrmala
. In 2007 he moved to FHK Liepājas Metalurgs
. Bleidelis had his contract with FK Liepājas Metalurgs terminated on 7 July 2008 along with another Latvian international - Andrejs Rubins
.
. He made his debut on 19 May 1995 against Estonia
in the Baltic Cup. He played at the Euro 2004 finals and his 100th appearance came on 2 June 2007 against Spain
in UEFA European Championship qualifier.
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
from Latvia
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...
. He last played for FK Liepājas Metalurgs. He has made 106 appearances 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...
.
Club career
Bleidelis started his career at SkontoSkonto 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...
in 1992. In 1994 he played for Inter Skonto, and then between 1994 and 1999 he played 128 games scoring 24 games for Skonto. Skonto then sold him to 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, Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
who were then in the Premier League, for £650,000, where he joined fellow-countryman Marian Pahars
Marian Pahars
Marians Pahars is a Latvian former footballer, currently the manager of Skonto FC. He spent most of his career as a striker at Southampton in the Premier League and with Skonto in Latvia....
. Bleidelis signed a three-and-a-half-year contreact. However, he played only two league games in three seasons, and after being allowed to go on trial in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
with Superliga
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...
club, Viborg FF
Viborg FF
Viborg FF is a Danish professional football club located in Viborg. The full name of the club is Viborg Fodsports Forening , but the name is frequently abbreviated as Viborg FF or VFF. The club was founded in 1896, but would have to wait more than a century before winning its only countrywide...
January 2003 Southampton released him on 26 January, and two days later he signed a two year contract with Viborg, where he scored six goals in 55 appearances.
However, he left Viborg in winter 2004 after turning down a new contract. Despite offers from two Latvian clubs, Skonto and FK Venta in 2005 he moved to Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
to play for Austrian Bundesliga Grazer AK
Grazer AK
Grazer AK, founded 18 August 1902 as Grazer Athletik-Sport Klub , is an Austrian sports club, from the city of Graz in the federal state of Styria . The football section is one of the most traditional Austrian clubs, most successful in the decade 1995 – 2005...
where he signed a two year contract. He made his debut for the club on 17 February 2005 in the UEFA Cup against English club Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
.
He moved back to Latvia in 2006 with 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...
. In 2007 he moved to FHK Liepājas Metalurgs
FHK Liepajas Metalurgs
FK Liepājas Metalurgs is a Latvian football club, based in the city of Liepāja and playing in the Virslīga. They play at the Daugava Stadium...
. Bleidelis had his contract with FK Liepājas Metalurgs terminated on 7 July 2008 along with another Latvian international - Andrejs Rubins
Andrejs Rubins
Andrejs Rubins is a football midfielder from Latvia. He currently plays for FK Simurq Zaqatala in Azerbaijan. He also plays for the Latvia national team.-Club career:...
.
International career
Bleidelis has played over 106 international matches and scored ten goals for LatviaLatvia 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 on 19 May 1995 against Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
in the Baltic Cup. He played at the Euro 2004 finals and his 100th appearance came on 2 June 2007 against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
in UEFA European Championship qualifier.
Honours
Club- Skonto
- VirsligaVirsliga-Past Virslīga winners:-Top scorers:-Riga football league winners:* 1910 Union Riga* 1911 British FC Riga* 1912 Union Riga* 1913 British FC Riga* 1914 British FC Riga* 1915 British FC Riga-Champions of Latvia before Virslīga:* 1922 Ķeizarmežs...
champion: (6) 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 - Latvian Football CupLatvian football CupThe Latvian Football Cup is the main "knockout" cup competition in Latvian football. It started in 1937 replacing the previous knockout tournament – Riga Football Cup.The competition is a knockout tournament....
: (4) 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998
- Virsliga
- Metalurgs
- VirsligaVirsliga-Past Virslīga winners:-Top scorers:-Riga football league winners:* 1910 Union Riga* 1911 British FC Riga* 1912 Union Riga* 1913 British FC Riga* 1914 British FC Riga* 1915 British FC Riga-Champions of Latvia before Virslīga:* 1922 Ķeizarmežs...
runner-up: (1) 2007 - Baltic LeagueBaltic LeagueThe Baltic League is a Baltic football club tournament, launched in 2007 inspired by the now defunct Scandinavian tournament Royal League and by the Baltic Basketball League. The top four club sides from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania take part in the competition...
winner: (1) 2007 - Baltic Football winner: (1) 2002
- Virsliga