Radek Bejbl

Radek Bejbl
Bejbl as a Rapid Wien player
Personal information
Date of birth (1972-08-29) 29 August 1972 (age 52)
Place of birth Nymburk, Czechoslovakia
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Youth career
1982–1988 Lokomotiva Nymburk
1988–1989 Mladá Boleslav
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1996 Slavia Prague 154 (28)
1996–2000 Atlético Madrid 105 (2)
2000–2002 Lens 26 (0)
2002–2005 Slavia Prague 83 (2)
2005–2007 Rapid Wien 59 (3)
2007–2008 Slovan Liberec 8 (0)
Total 435 (35)
International career
1993 Czechoslovakia U21 3 (1)
1992–1993 Czechoslovakia 2 (0)
1995–2001 Czech Republic 56 (3)
Managerial career
2008–2018 Viktoria Žižkov (youth)
2018 Czech Republic U17
2019–2020 Czech Republic U16 and U17
2021–2022 Czech Republic U18
2022–2023 Czech Republic U19
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Czech Republic
UEFA European Championship
Runner-up 1996 England
SK Slavia Prague
Winner Gambrinus liga 1995–96
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Radek Bejbl (born 29 August 1972) is a Czech former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He notably played four seasons with Atlético Madrid and played in the UEFA Euro 1996 final with the Czech Republic national team.

Club career

Early career

Bejbl started his careers with Lokomotiva Nymburk and Mladá Boleslav.[1] He made his league debut for Slavia Prague on 8 October 1990 in the 3–1 Czechoslovak First League win against Vítkovice, appearing as a substitute for Milan Šimůnek.[2] Bejbl stayed with Slavia for six years, culminating in winning the Czech First League in 1996.[3]

Spanish and French leagues

In summer 1996, Bejbl moved to Spain and signed with Atlético Madrid.[4] He appeared in 33 matches in his first season in La Liga and eventually helped the Colchoneros to consecutive Copa del Rey finals (both lost). Bejbl missed the 2000 Copa del Rey final after the Czech national team refused to release him from international duty.[5] He left the club in 2000, after it suffered relegation.[6][7]

Subsequently, Bejbl signed with RC Lens in the French Ligue 1, staying at the club for two seasons.[3] During his time at Lens he played in defence as well as his usual position in midfield.[8]

Later career

In 2002 Bejbl returned to former team Slavia for three additional campaigns.[3]

Bejbl spent two years in Austria with SK Rapid Wien, playing 27 Bundesliga games in his second year to help to a fourth-place finish and qualification to the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Aged 35, he returned to his country signing a one-year contract for one final season with Slovan Liberec.[9] He finished his professional career in 2008 and went on to become a youth coach for Prague side Viktoria Žižkov.[10][11]

International career

Bejbl played two matches for Czechoslovakia before the nation split. He played 56 matches and scored three goals for Czech Republic, participating at UEFA Euro 1996 and Euro 2000. In the former competition, he started in all the games as the nation reached the final, netting in a 2–1 group stage win against Italy.[12]

References

  1. ^ Nussbauer, Michal (29 August 2022). "Životní jubileum legendy. Bývalá opora reprezentace Bejbl slaví kulatiny". Sport.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  2. ^ Casado, Edu (26 September 2011). "Qué fue de... Radek Bejbl". 20minutes.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Novák, Miloslav (23 January 2008). "Bejbl se připravuje na osmnácté ligové jaro". idnes.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  4. ^ Novák, Miloslav (22 September 2005). "Bejbl dal gól za Rapid, teď dává sekanou". idnes.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Czechs stand firm in Bejbl row". BBC Sport. 23 May 2000. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Soldevilla y Bejbl no podrán disputar la final de la Copa del Rey" [Soldevilla and Bejbl will not be able to take part in King's Cup final]. El País (in Spanish). 23 May 2000. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Qué fue de... Bejbl" [What happened to... Bejbl] (in Spanish). La Liga. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Stoper Bejbl našel v Lens pohodu". idnes.cz (in Czech). 5 May 2001. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  9. ^ "Bejbl: Náhradník? Jsem připraven" [Bejbl: Substitute? I'm ready]. Deník (in Czech). 26 July 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  10. ^ "El ex atlético Radek Bejbl cuelga las botas" [Former Atlético man Radek Bejbl hangs up boots]. ABC (in Spanish). 3 July 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  11. ^ Novák, Miloslav (10 November 2009). "Ze stříbrné party zůstal hráčem jen Berger. Co dnes dělají ostatní?" [Of the silver party, the only player left is Berger. What are the others doing today?]. idnes.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Bejbl completes Italian job for Czechs". UEFA. 6 October 2003. Retrieved 21 March 2017.