Fare thee well, Patrik

[Funkasy]

The Czech team won all their ten matches of their Euro 2000 qualifying campaign. However, the very first of these games should have never been won by them.

 

This game was really an anticlimax from the start to the end, as Faroese fog - og so typical - covered the compact and otherwise spectacular and unusual Svangaskarð stadium, situated almost at the top of a mountain.

 

It was diffucult for spectators, never mind TV cameras, to follow this game, in which the strong Faroese side, with Todi Jónsson, Uni Arge and many others on top of their careers, were equal opponents to the Czechs and had some good opportunities to score and probably even win the game.

 

But it wasn't to be. With only four minutes of normal time left and the score still goaless, the Czechs provided one of the most disgusting actions in the whole competition's long history.

 

At first, John Petersen was elbowed and fell to the ground. The Faroese kicked the ball out, so their partner could get a medical assistance. Then Pavel Nedvěd was sent off for his verbal attack on the referee. As the play should resume, the Faroese players clearly expected their opponents to send the ball back to them - but were badly mistaken! Instead, the ball was thrown to Patrik Berger, who made a short run on the wing and crossed to Vladimír Šmicer, who scored easily pass Jákup Mikkelsen. All the Faroese players and supporters were shocked and stunned by such an unsporty behaviour, shown by some of the finest European professional footballers. The referee had nothing to do but to allow the goal stand. This proved to be the Czech winner.

 

Even tho he was a liverpool player

I TOTALLY HATED THE FUCKER AFTER THAT MATCH

 

im Faroese btw

[Lucky Pierre]

Loved the fucker. Superb player with film star looks.

 

The goal against the Manc cunts at the toilet was my fave.

 

MJlAFkE-Svw

As far as I can tell, that goal at 4:33 was one of the first live goals I saw, at my first match.

Thanks for the memories Paddy.

[Stormbringer]

The pass in the cup final to Owen was awesome is right!!!

 

Just loved 1996. We got Paddy and the mancs chose Carol Poborsky or whatever his name was.

 

It is as shame that he got nearly a goal every 2 games for the Czechs but for us he got stuck wide. I watched him avidly for the Czechs and as a central midfielder he was awesome. Shame but what a player.

[kopboy11]

Always had a soft spot for Paddy as i was born same day as him.Quality player very underused by us.Will never forget him rippin' Chelsea a new one.Enjoy the rest Paddy lad.

[Jokerman]

Echo all the previous sentiments, have fond memories of him, especially his goals at OT and Pride Park and his first two games for us at Leicester and against Chelsea. Class player, class guy.

[dirty_sanchez]

I was at that game where we gave Chelsea a proper good fucking. Berger was awesome but Chelsea were absolutely dire. It was one of the worst performances I've seen from a team against us. They were easily as bad as Newcastle last year.

[tenner]

Wish him all the best. A super player and scored some super goals. Thanks for the memories Paddy.

[Haan'sThunderbolt]

Remember his first game at Anfield - as a sub for Czech Rep vs Italy in Euro96, when they won 2-1. What a left foot...quality player who was undervalued in my opinion.

[manwiththestick]

I have a ten year old cat called Patrik, named after that handsome bastard. Seriously i remember being so excited back in '96 when we signed him, shame he didn't play more that he could have in the years he played for us. I even loved that goal he scored for Portsmouth, awesome.