The Czech giant takes over Gjøvik 31 July - 2 August when the Liverpool Festival 2025 kicks off!
Historic goalscorer
We have gradually become quite used to it when it comes to visiting legends during the Liverpool Festival, but this time we are a bit star struck. Vladimir Smicer has an impressive career to look back on. Just check out this golden streak:
EC silver for the Czech Republic, league champion in the Czech Republic and France, and in addition a couple of league cup trophies in the latter country. In Liverpool he also collected silverware. League Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Cup (Europa League) and Champions League. In addition, he is also historic, he was the first player to score in three EC finals in a row!
If you are feeling down in the dumps, Vladdy will cheer you up. He is exactly the same off the field as he is on it — always bubbly and smiling . Michael Owen on Smicer in 2001
The Miracle in Istanbul
Vladi came to Liverpool from Lens in the summer of 1999 and there were to be both ups and downs during the 6 years on Merseyside. He was primarily brought in as a replacement for Steve McManaman, who had gone to Real Madrid. The debut came in the league opener against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough Stadium and his first of a total of 19 goals (31 assists) came in the away game against Watford in January, the same season.
Unfortunately, his stay in Liverpool was marked by a little too many injuries and there were 184 games in red for the likeable Czech. But he became very central in many of the games, such as when he scored the memorable last-minute goal against Chelsea in 2002 and of course his goal in Istanbul which really fired Liverpool up and gave hope of turning the game around completely. We all know how that went. Smicer's last kick of the ball, for Liverpool, was the penalty he scored during the penalty shootout. Milan's next penalty was saved by Dudek, and the miracle in Istanbul was a reality.
After Istanbul, he went back to French football, Bordeaux before ending his career in 2009 at the club where he started his career, Slavia Praha. Then he could also book 81 international matches and 27 goals for the Czech Republic.
We look forward to welcoming Vladi to Liverpool Festival 2025!
Where can you stay?
There are several options for you who need a place to sleep between everything that happens at the festival. We also have our own mobile home parking which has been fully booked every year. Click on the picture below and you will find information on which accommodation options are available!
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