Bejbl, Radek

Atletico Madrid & Czech Republic

Birthdate: August 29, 1972
Birthplace: Nymbruck, Czech Republic
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 78 kg
Position: Midfielder
International: 45 caps, 3 goals
World Cups: 0
Previous Clubs: Mlada, Nymbruck, Slavia Praha
Transfer Fee: -
He made his national-team debut while only 20, and has hardly looked back since, establishing a burgeoning reputation as a committed defensive midfielder. He helped previous club SK Slavia Praha to win the Czech league and reach the UEFA Cup semi-final in 1996. Subsequently, his displays for the national team in Euro 96 earned him a lucrative transfer to Spanish side Club Atlético de Madrid. An accomplished ball-winner, Bejbl’s hard work in midfield frees colleagues Pavel, Nedved, Patrick Berger and Vladimir Smicer to concentrate more on attacking. His value to the Czech side is indicated by the fact that when he returned after missing the middle four games of the Euro 2000 qualifying campaign, the Czechs failed to concede a goal in their final three games.