Vladi misses liverpool - Wish you all best, hero!
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:19 pmSmicer close to more European surprises Mar 1 2006
By Ian Doyle Daily Post Staff, Daily Post
AS a parting gift, it was up there with the best of them. In his final appearance for Rafael Benitez's side against AC Milan in Istanbul last May, Vladimir Smicer had stepped off the substitutes' bench to score in normal time and in the penalty shoot-out as Liverpool claimed a fifth European Cup triumph.
After six inconsistent years at the club, it etched Smicer's name into Anfield folklore. Now the 31-year-old is on the brink of contributing to the European achievement of another club as Bordeaux close in on an unlikely qualification to the Champions League.
The French side have struggled in recent years to reach the heights of their Zinedine Zidane-inspired era in which they reached the UEFA Cup final in 1996. However, since Smicer's arrival on a free transfer last summer, their fortunes have been transformed.
Currently in second place in Ligue 1 behind Gerard Houllier's Lyon, Bordeaux are in pole position to qualify for the Champions League next season - and set up a possible encounter with Smicer's former colleagues.
Such is the level of surprise at Bordeaux's form, there are parallels with Liverpool's unexpected triumph in Turkey.
"I really didn't expect it, it is a nice surprise," admits Smicer. "I didn't expect we would be so high in the league. No-one believed we could be so high, even our own fans, but as we get closer and closer their support is getting bigger and bigger. They feel the job could be done, but we are still far away from there, and there is lots of hard work to do yet.
"Even our management only gave us the objective of finishing in the top five. That was a daring plan taking into account we were fighting to avoid relegation last season."
Although Smicer has more than played his part in Bordeaux's revival, he reveals the tag of Champions League winner has been more hindrance than help.
"People know it," says the Czech. "Not many players who have won the Champions League play in the French league, but it is not an advantage, maybe the opposite, as everyone expects more from you."
Smicer joined Liverpool from Lens in 1999, and during his time at the club won the League Cup, the FA Cup, the UEFA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup as well as the European Cup. And the midfielder admits to occasionally yearning for the Anfield atmosphere - particularly now Robbie Fowler has returned.
"I miss England a bit, after six years I spent there, I got used to it," says Smicer. "I miss Anfield most-ly, the atmosphere was unique. I cannot compare it with France even if we also have great fans.
"A lot has changed at Liverpool, there are many Spaniards there now. I was also nicely surprised by the return of Robbie Fowler.
"When he played with me years ago he was one of my best friends. When he left Liverpool for Leeds and then Manchester City, we still met to go out for a meal."
By Ian Doyle Daily Post Staff, Daily Post
AS a parting gift, it was up there with the best of them. In his final appearance for Rafael Benitez's side against AC Milan in Istanbul last May, Vladimir Smicer had stepped off the substitutes' bench to score in normal time and in the penalty shoot-out as Liverpool claimed a fifth European Cup triumph.
After six inconsistent years at the club, it etched Smicer's name into Anfield folklore. Now the 31-year-old is on the brink of contributing to the European achievement of another club as Bordeaux close in on an unlikely qualification to the Champions League.
The French side have struggled in recent years to reach the heights of their Zinedine Zidane-inspired era in which they reached the UEFA Cup final in 1996. However, since Smicer's arrival on a free transfer last summer, their fortunes have been transformed.
Currently in second place in Ligue 1 behind Gerard Houllier's Lyon, Bordeaux are in pole position to qualify for the Champions League next season - and set up a possible encounter with Smicer's former colleagues.
Such is the level of surprise at Bordeaux's form, there are parallels with Liverpool's unexpected triumph in Turkey.
"I really didn't expect it, it is a nice surprise," admits Smicer. "I didn't expect we would be so high in the league. No-one believed we could be so high, even our own fans, but as we get closer and closer their support is getting bigger and bigger. They feel the job could be done, but we are still far away from there, and there is lots of hard work to do yet.
"Even our management only gave us the objective of finishing in the top five. That was a daring plan taking into account we were fighting to avoid relegation last season."
Although Smicer has more than played his part in Bordeaux's revival, he reveals the tag of Champions League winner has been more hindrance than help.
"People know it," says the Czech. "Not many players who have won the Champions League play in the French league, but it is not an advantage, maybe the opposite, as everyone expects more from you."
Smicer joined Liverpool from Lens in 1999, and during his time at the club won the League Cup, the FA Cup, the UEFA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup as well as the European Cup. And the midfielder admits to occasionally yearning for the Anfield atmosphere - particularly now Robbie Fowler has returned.
"I miss England a bit, after six years I spent there, I got used to it," says Smicer. "I miss Anfield most-ly, the atmosphere was unique. I cannot compare it with France even if we also have great fans.
"A lot has changed at Liverpool, there are many Spaniards there now. I was also nicely surprised by the return of Robbie Fowler.
"When he played with me years ago he was one of my best friends. When he left Liverpool for Leeds and then Manchester City, we still met to go out for a meal."
