Wojciech Kowalewski
Encyclopedia
Wojciech Kowalewski (ˈvɔjtɕɛx kɔvaˈlɛvski; born 11 May 1977 in Białystok), is a Polish
football goalkeeper
who played for Anorthosis Famagusta
in the Cypriot First Division
.
, that he finally established himself with Legia. Midway through the season he moved to FC Shakhtar Donetsk
and only conceded once in nine league games as Shakhtar stormed to the Ukrainian title for the first time. In 2003 he moved to Spartak Moscow
where he played for several years as first-choice keeper, even serving as vice-captain. In late 2007, having lost his place to Stipe Pletikosa
, he requested to leave the club. In December 2007 Spartak agreed to terminate his contract. He had not played for Spartak in over a year.
On 17 January 2008 it was announced that Kowalewski had started a trial period with Premier League club Reading
. On 3 February 2008, Kowalewski signed a three-year deal with Polish club Korona Kielce
.
Kowalewski has a reputation of being an excellent penalty-saver, once breaking FC Torpedo Moskva's Vladimir Leonchenko
's streak of 13 successful spot-kicks. On 17 January 2010 Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. released experienced Polish goalkeeper. The player was tracked by Legia Warsaw, but joined the Russian Premier League
newcomers Sibir Novosibirsk
instead.
after picking up a second yellow against Portugal on 11 October 2006. Poland won that game 2-1.
Kowalewski replaced Tomasz Kuszczak
in Poland's Euro 2008 squad following the Manchester United goalkeeper's back injury.
In September 2009 he was recalled to the squad for the World Cup
Qualifiers against the Czech Republic
and Slovakia
by coach Stefan Majewski
. He was the starter against the Czechs as Poland slipped to a 2–0 defeat on 10 October 2009 which killed off any lingering hopes of qualifying for the tournament finals. He will signed to Anorthosis Famagusta tomorrow.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
football goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
who played for Anorthosis Famagusta
Anorthosis Famagusta FC
Αnorthosis Famagusta FC is a Cypriot football and volleyball club which is originally based in Famagusta, but is now temporarily based in Larnaca, due to the Turkish invasion. Anorthosis is one of the most successful clubs in Cypriot football, having won 13 league titles, 10 Cypriot Cups and 6...
in the Cypriot First Division
Cypriot First Division
The Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
.
Club career
Kowalewski made his top-flight debut with Wigry Suwałki during the 1996–97 season, but it was not until 2001–02, after a loan spell with second division side Dyskobolia GrodziskDyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski
Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski is a Polish football club based in Grodzisk Wielkopolski, Poland.- History :Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski was founded on April 30, 1922....
, that he finally established himself with Legia. Midway through the season he moved to FC Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Shakhtar Donetsk is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Donetsk. Shakhtar has appeared in several European competitions and currently is often a participant of the UEFA Champions League. The club became the first Ukrainian club to win the UEFA Cup in 2009, the last year...
and only conceded once in nine league games as Shakhtar stormed to the Ukrainian title for the first time. In 2003 he moved to Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow
FC Spartak Moscow is a Russian football club from Moscow. Having won 12 Soviet championships and 9 of 19 Russian championships they are one of the country's most successful clubs. They have also won the Soviet Cup 10 times and the Russian Cup 3 times...
where he played for several years as first-choice keeper, even serving as vice-captain. In late 2007, having lost his place to Stipe Pletikosa
Stipe Pletikosa
Stipe Pletikosa is a Croatian football goalkeeper who plays for the Russian Premier League club FC Rostov and the Croatian national team, for which he has made 86 appearances.-Hajduk Split:...
, he requested to leave the club. In December 2007 Spartak agreed to terminate his contract. He had not played for Spartak in over a year.
On 17 January 2008 it was announced that Kowalewski had started a trial period with Premier League club Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
. On 3 February 2008, Kowalewski signed a three-year deal with Polish club Korona Kielce
Korona Kielce
Korona Kielce, , is a Polish football club, currently playing in the Ekstraklasa. In the years 2002-2008 Club belonged to Polish holding company Kolporter Holding and achieved its greatest success - in 2005, winning promotion to the first division...
.
Kowalewski has a reputation of being an excellent penalty-saver, once breaking FC Torpedo Moskva's Vladimir Leonchenko
Vladimir Leonchenko
Vladimir Valeryevich Leonchenko is a retired Russian professional footballer. He made his professional debut in the Russian Second Division in 1992 for FC Dynamo-d Moscow.He is currently heading the Russian Professional Football Players and Coaches Union....
's streak of 13 successful spot-kicks. On 17 January 2010 Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. released experienced Polish goalkeeper. The player was tracked by Legia Warsaw, but joined the Russian Premier League
Russian Premier League
The Russian Premier League , currently called SOGAZ Russian Football Championship due to sponsorship reasons, is the top division of Russian football. There are 16 teams in the competition...
newcomers Sibir Novosibirsk
FC Sibir Novosibirsk
FC Sibir Novosibirsk is a Russian association football club based in Novosibirsk. The club plays at the Spartak Stadium. As a result of their first-ever season in the Russian Premier League in 2010, FC Sibir has been relegated to play the next season in Russian First Division.-History:The club was...
instead.
International career
Kowalewski made his Poland debut in February 2002, but made only a handful of appearances before being recalled to the side at the start of Euro 2008 qualifying. He was replaced by Artur BorucArtur Boruc
Artur Boruc is a Polish footballer who plays for Serie A club Fiorentina as a goalkeeper. On 20 October 2008, Boruc was one of 55 players shortlisted for the FIFPro World XI Player Awards.-Pogoń Siedlce:...
after picking up a second yellow against Portugal on 11 October 2006. Poland won that game 2-1.
Kowalewski replaced Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Kuszczak
Tomasz Mirosław Kuszczak is a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Manchester United and the Polish national team.Born in Krosno Odrzańskie, Kuszczak has previously played for Śląsk Wrocław in Poland, as well as for the German clubs KFC Uerdingen 05 and Hertha BSC, before...
in Poland's Euro 2008 squad following the Manchester United goalkeeper's back injury.
In September 2009 he was recalled to the squad for the World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
Qualifiers against 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...
and Slovakia
Slovakia national football team
The Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
by coach Stefan Majewski
Stefan Majewski
Stefan Majewski is a retired Polish soccer player and subsequently a football manager who recently was the interim manager of the Polish national team.-Career:...
. He was the starter against the Czechs as Poland slipped to a 2–0 defeat on 10 October 2009 which killed off any lingering hopes of qualifying for the tournament finals. He will signed to Anorthosis Famagusta tomorrow.
Trivia
- During Euro 2008, Kowalewski had to re-use the UEFA ID card of his team-mate Mariusz LewandowskiMariusz LewandowskiMariusz Lewandowski is a Polish footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for PFC Sevastopol and the Polish national football team. He also plays in defensive midfield where his stamina, strength and aerial ability come to good use.- Career :...
to enter the stadium in KlagenfurtKlagenfurt-Name:Carinthia's eminent linguists Primus Lessiak and Eberhard Kranzmayer assumed that the city's name, which literally translates as "ford of lament" or "ford of complaints", had something to do with the superstitious thought that fateful fairies or demons tend to live around treacherous waters...
for the match against GermanyGermany national football teamThe 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....
as he did not obtain an accreditation pass due to an oversight by the Polish delegation.
External links
- National team stats on the website of the Polish Football AssociationPolish Football AssociationThe Polish Football Association is the governing body of football in Poland. It organizes the Polish football leagues , the Polish Cup, the Polish SuperCup, the Polish League Cup, and the Polish national football team...