Vladimír Šmicer

Bordeaux Šmicer moved on to Bordeaux in the summer of 2005. In the 2006–07 Champions League, Bordeaux were drawn against Liverpool in the group stages. He indicated his delight at returning to Anfield, although injury barred him from playing a part in either of the two matches between the sides. Šmicer suffered a serious knee injury that sidelined him for more than a year. The injury was the worst moment of his career and he even considered retiring. As a result, he missed the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, but he did not retire. After another long recovery, Šmicer did not extend his contract in Bordeaux and left the club in the summer of 2007. He made 28 appearances and scored three goals during his time at the club.

Slavia Prague In July 2007, Šmicer returned to Slavia Prague, where he signed a one-year contract. His return to Slavia sparked joy among the club's supporters. That season, Slavia won its first league title after 12 years, a triumph which Šmicer was also part of. Once again, this spell of his career was blighted by injuries. In 2008, he won the Personality of the League award at the Czech Footballer of the Year awards. He ended his football career after draw 0–0 with Viktoria Plzeň on 9 November 2009. He officially made farewell with professional football career at Synot Tip Arena in Prague on 11 May 2010, at the friendly match Slavia Prague – Sparta Prague, featuring legendary players of both clubs. Fifteen-thousand fans attended his last match.

International career Šmicer began his international career in 1993. He was an essential player in three UEFA European Championships for the Czech Republic, in total earning 80 caps and scoring 27 goals. He also has one cap for the Representation of Czechs and Slovaks team (the combined team of the Czech Republic and Slovakia after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, as the nations started the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification as the unified country).

Šmicer was part of the Czech Republic squad for Euro 1996. The then 22-year-old midfielder started the country's stunning campaign in England. The Czechs were down 3–2 in a game against Russia and needed to draw in order to qualify for the play-off rounds. Šmicer scored the all important equalizer two minutes before the end of the game. The Czechs then advanced through the play-offs to the final game, which they lost to Germany after extra-time.

Four years later, at Euro 2000, Šmicer scored both goals in the national team's only tournament victory, 2–0 against Denmark. At Euro 2004, he scored the winning goal in the team's 3–2 win over the Netherlands. In that game, the Czechs were 2–0 down after 20 minutes of play but still managed to recover. The comeback began an impressive march to the tournament's semi-finals. Šmicer has said the game against Netherlands was the most memorable moment in his international career.

Šmicer was unable to participate in the 2006 FIFA World Cup due to a leg injury.

Šmicer was only the second player to score at three European Championships (1996, 2000 and 2004), after Jürgen Klinsmann (1988, 1992 and 1996).

Although he did not play at Euro 2008, Šmicer made his debut as a television commentator during the tournament's opening match between hosts Switzerland and his native Czech Republic, held 7 June in Basel.

Managerial career Just one day after retiring from football, Šmicer became sports manager of the Czech national team, working alongside head coach Michal Bílek.

Personal life Šmicer is married to Pavlína Vízková, daughter of Olympic gold medal-winning footballer Ladislav Vízek. They have a daughter, Natalie, and a son, Jiří.

Šmicer stood for minor Czech party VIZE 2014 in the European Parliament election; his stated priority was to reduce obesity among children.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Czech Republic's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Šmicer goal.

Honours Slavia Prague Czech First League: 1995–96, 2007–08, 2008–09

Lens Ligue 1: 1997–98 Coupe de la Ligue: 1998–99

Liverpool FA Cup: 2000–01 Football League Cup: 2000–01, 2002–03 UEFA Champions League: 2004–05 UEFA Cup: 2000–01

Bordeaux Coupe de la Ligue: 2006–07

Czech Republic UEFA European Football Championship runner-up: 1996