Václav Svěrkoš

Czech First League

Born in Třinec, Svěrkoš started his career at VP Frýdek-Místek. At the age of 14, he switched to Baník Ostrava, playing on U15 international for the Czech Republic already. Still eligible to feature for Baník's U19, Svěrkoš enjoyed his breakthrough in the Gambrinus liga, the best Czech division, for the Silesian city outfit after the departure of Milan Baroš. His record of 14 goals in just 26 first-team appearances for Ostrava and similar performances in the Czech Republic national under-21 football team got German club Borussia Mönchengladbach interested. Mönchengladbach had been unable to extend the half-a-season loan of Chelsea's Mikael Forssell, the team's top scorer in 2002–2003, in those times and regarded Svěrkoš a potential long-term replacement for the Finland international.

Bundesliga

A stuttering start to life in Bundesliga under Ewald Lienen, Svěrkoš took advantage of a change of manager at the club and he was able to end up the team's top scorer in 2003–2004 with nine goals in 31 Bundesliga matches. His most notable contribution came halfway through that campaign when he netted a hat-trick in Mönchengladbach's win over Champions League participant VfB Stuttgart (4–2) in the last 16 of the German Cup competition. A year later, Mönchengladbach only just avoided relegation in a season in which Svěrkoš netted seven goals for them, his ongoing presence in the youth ranks for the Czech Republic awarded him the captaincy of the…

Svěrkoš was called up to the Czech Republic national football team and made his debut in the friendly match against Lithuania on 27 May 2008. On 14 May 2008, it was announced that he would be part of the Czech squad for Euro 2008.

Euro 2008

At Euro 2008 in Basel, Svěrkoš scored his first goal for his national side against Switzerland in the 71st minute of the opening match of the tournament on 7 June 2008. It also turned out to be the first goal of the tournament as the Czech Republic won the match 1–0. Despite this contribution, he did not play any part in the Czechs' two remaining matches in the tournament.

International goals

Scores and results list the Czech Republic's goal tally first

Club

Austria Wien

Austrian Cup: 2006–07

Individual

Czech First League top goalscorer: 2007–08