Marek Matejovský
Encyclopedia
Marek Matějovský (ˈmarɛk ˈmacɛjofskiː) (born 20 December 1981 in Brandýs nad Labem
, Czechoslovakia
) is a Czech
footballer who currently plays for Sparta
Prague in the Gambrinus liga
and internationally for the Czech Republic
. He is a central midfielder
who can also play on either wing and as a defensive midfielder
.
for the 1999–2000 season, who were then playing in the Czech 2. Liga
. In the spring of 2001, he switched to Gambrinus liga
team Jablonec
, but returned to Mladá Boleslav in January 2003. After settling back in to the team, he helped them win promotion to the Gambrinus liga for the start of the 2004–05
season, where they remained for the rest of Matějovský's stay at the club. He was promoted to captain
of Mladá Boleslav at the start of the 2005–06
season.
, Hamburg
and Steaua Bucharest. However, it was announced on 7 January 2008 that Reading had signed Matějovský on a three-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £1.42million.
Nick Hammond
said, "Marek is primarily a central midfield player but he is also capable of playing in both wide positions or behind the strikers – he is a player we have been following for some time, and when the opportunity arose to sign him it was too good to turn down." Brian McDermott
kept an eye on him for roughly 18 months, and had seen him in action a number of times. He said "He's captain of his club, and has played all their games in the last three years except when he's been suspended. That's the type of guy he is."
He made his debut for Reading on 19 January 2008 in a 2–0 home defeat to Manchester United
, coming on as a 80th minute substitute
for Bobby Convey
. His first start for Reading was in another 2–0 home defeat, this time to Bolton Wanderers
on 2 February 2008. Matějovský scored his first goal for Reading on 15 March 2008, with a spectacular 20-yard effort against Liverpool
.
, taking over from Tomáš Řepka
.
ped nine times by the Czech Republic national football team
. Karel Brückner
first called him up as a replacement for the injured David Jarolím
for the Czech Republic's Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales
on 2 September 2006, but had to wait until 7 February 2007 to make his international debut as a 70th minute substitute
in a friendly with Belgium, coming on for Tomáš Galásek and assisting the second goal in a 2–0 win.
He scored his only international goal so far in the Czech Republic's 3–0 win over Germany
in Munich
, also hitting the post, to cement their place at Euro 2008. He started the second and third group games at the Euro 2008 but was taken off with an injury against Turkey.
player.
Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav
Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic on the banks of the Elbe River, in the heart of an agricultural region about 25 km northeast of Prague. The town is part of the Prague metropolitan area. Brandýs nad Labem dates its origin to the...
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
) is a Czech
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
footballer who currently plays for Sparta
Prague in the Gambrinus liga
Gambrinus Liga
The Gambrinus liga is a Czech professional league for football clubs. At the top of the Czech football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 16 clubs, operating a system of promotion and relegation with the Czech 2. Liga. Seasons run from August to May,...
and internationally for the Czech Republic
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
. He is a central midfielder
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...
who can also play on either wing and as a defensive midfielder
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...
.
Czech Republic
Matějovský started his football career at the age of five with Slavoj Stará Boleslav, progressing to Alfa Brandýs nad Labem at the age of 13. After turning 18, he signed professional terms with Mladá BoleslavFK Mladá Boleslav
FK Mladá Boleslav is a Czech football club from Mladá Boleslav.- Recent times :The team was promoted to Gambrinus liga for the first time in its history in 2004 and in their first top-flight season fought against relegation, eventually finishing in 14th place...
for the 1999–2000 season, who were then playing in the Czech 2. Liga
Czech 2. Liga
The 2. liga or Druhá liga is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in the Czech Republic. The top two teams are promoted to the Gambrinus liga.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the Czech 2. Liga...
. In the spring of 2001, he switched to Gambrinus liga
Gambrinus Liga
The Gambrinus liga is a Czech professional league for football clubs. At the top of the Czech football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 16 clubs, operating a system of promotion and relegation with the Czech 2. Liga. Seasons run from August to May,...
team Jablonec
FK Jablonec 97
FK Baumit Jablonec is a Czech professional football club based in the town of Jablonec nad Nisou, playing in the top flight of Czech football, the Gambrinus Liga.- Historical names :...
, but returned to Mladá Boleslav in January 2003. After settling back in to the team, he helped them win promotion to the Gambrinus liga for the start of the 2004–05
Gambrinus liga 2004-05
-League standings:P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points-Top goalscorers:- References :...
season, where they remained for the rest of Matějovský's stay at the club. He was promoted to captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
of Mladá Boleslav at the start of the 2005–06
Gambrinus liga 2005-06
-League standings:P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points-Top goalscorers:- References :...
season.
England
Matějovský's performances in the Czech Republic alerted big clubs elsewhere in Europe to his ability, and he was linked with moves to LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, Hamburg
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
and Steaua Bucharest. However, it was announced on 7 January 2008 that Reading had signed Matějovský on a three-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £1.42million.
Nick Hammond
Nick Hammond
Nicholas David Hammond is an English former football goalkeeper, and currently Director of Football at Reading Football Club.-Playing career:...
said, "Marek is primarily a central midfield player but he is also capable of playing in both wide positions or behind the strikers – he is a player we have been following for some time, and when the opportunity arose to sign him it was too good to turn down." Brian McDermott
Brian McDermott (footballer)
Brian James McDermott is an English football manager and former player.He joined Arsenal as an apprentice in 1977 and went on to play for Fulham, IFK Norrköping, Oxford United, Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City, Exeter City and Yeovil Town in a 14-year playing career during the 1980s and 1990s...
kept an eye on him for roughly 18 months, and had seen him in action a number of times. He said "He's captain of his club, and has played all their games in the last three years except when he's been suspended. That's the type of guy he is."
He made his debut for Reading on 19 January 2008 in a 2–0 home defeat to 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...
, coming on as a 80th minute substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
for Bobby Convey
Bobby Convey
Robert Francis "Bobby" Convey is an American soccer player.-Youth:Convey attended the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, played club soccer for the Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa, and was a member of the initial class of the Bradenton Academy that also included current national team...
. His first start for Reading was in another 2–0 home defeat, this time to Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
on 2 February 2008. Matějovský scored his first goal for Reading on 15 March 2008, with a spectacular 20-yard effort against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
Return to the Czech Republic
Matějovský returned to the Czech Republic in 2010, joining Sparta Prague and was announced as the new club captain ahead of the 2011–12 Gambrinus liga2011–12 Gambrinus liga
The 2011–12 Gambrinus liga is the 19th season of the Czech Republic's top-tier football league. It began on 29 July 2011 and is due to end on 26 May 2012...
, taking over from Tomáš Řepka
Tomáš Repka
Tomáš Řepka is a professional Czech football defender who is currently playing for Sparta Prague.- Career :Řepka started his career at Banik Ostrava, where he played from 1990 to 1995. He then joined Sparta Prague, where he spent almost three years, before moving to Fiorentina in Italy...
.
International career
Matějovský has also been capCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
ped nine times by the Czech Republic national football team
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
. Karel Brückner
Karel Brückner
Karel Brückner is a Czech retired football coach.- Coaching career :Brückner began his coaching career in 1973 in the Czech League and was the coach of his home club SK Sigma Olomouc. He later went on to coach Inter Bratislava with which he won the Slovakia Cup in 1985...
first called him up as a replacement for the injured David Jarolím
David Jarolím
David Jarolím is a Czech footballer who currently plays for Hamburger SV. A central midfielder by position, Jarolím is known for his stamina and technical skill.-Club career:...
for the Czech Republic's Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 2 September 2006, but had to wait until 7 February 2007 to make his international debut as a 70th minute substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
in a friendly with Belgium, coming on for Tomáš Galásek and assisting the second goal in a 2–0 win.
He scored his only international goal so far in the Czech Republic's 3–0 win over Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, also hitting the post, to cement their place at Euro 2008. He started the second and third group games at the Euro 2008 but was taken off with an injury against Turkey.
Personal life
Matějovský married in the summer of 2007. Outside football, he is also a keen ice hockeyIce hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player.
External links
- Profile at iDNES.cz
- Marek Matějovský profile at readingfc.co.uk