The revelation of Euro-96

French midfielder Zinedine Zidane (L) tries to control the ball under pressure from Czech forward Karel Poborsky during their semi-final match of the European Nations soccer championship at the Old Traford stadium in Manchester, 26 June 1996.

Wily winger Karel Poborsky shot to international fame at Euro 1996 where he scored the goal of the tournament and helped the impressive Czechs to an unexpected final date with Germany.

Poborsky's footballing exploits began in Southern Bohemia at a sports course in Ceske Budejovice college, the region's highest educational institute.

While there he spent three seasons playing in the national league before being taken on by a modest club from the capital, Viktoria Zizkov, in 1994. There, Poborsky began his European adventure with a run in the Cup Winners Cup.

A year later, he moved to Slavia Prague for the 1995-96 season, disputing a semi-final in the UEFA Cup against French side Bordeaux and winning the Czech league.

"Steve"

Benfica midfielder Karel Poborsky (R) vies with an unidentified Setubal player in a first division match 04 December at Luz Stadium.

Poborsky's goal in the quarter-finals of Euro-96 against Portugal (1-0) was, for many people, the most spectacular goal of the competition.

At the start of the second-half he took control of the ball in Portugal's area with two defenders on him and experienced 'keeper Vitor Baia bearing down on him.

Poborsky lobbed the advancing 'keeper from the very tightest of situations and as the ball sailed high and dropped like a bomb into the Potuguese goal Europe's football community rose to it's feet in acclamation.

It was his first international goal, but one that launched his domestic career.

Czech player Karel Poborsky (L) and German national team player Thomas Haessler jump for the ball during their friendly soccer match in Nuremberg 03 June 2000. Germany won 3-2. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

That year Poborsky was voted his country's player of the year before a dream move to English giants Manchester United.

After two mediocre seasons at Old Trafford he left the "Red Devils" and took the route south to Benfica and the Portugese capital of Lisbon, where his full range of tactical and technical know-how finally came to the fore.

He had a strong Euro 2000 campaign despite the misfortunes of a valliant Czech Republic side.

Grouped with their more illustrious rivals, France and Holland, they failed to qualify for the quarter-finals and went home empty-handed.

Lazio's player Karel Poborsky (R) in contrast with Roma's player Brazilian Marcos Cafu during their League soccer match Lazio-Roma in Rome, 10 March 2002. AS Roma won 5-1. AFP PHOTO EPA/ANSA/ESPOSITO/def/mr

Photo of Czech midfielder Karel Poborsky taken 10 November 2001 in Brussels during the 2002 World Cup play-off qualifying soccer match between Belgium and Czech Republic. AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN

He spent a year in Serie A with Lazio before returning, at 30-year's of age, to once again play at Sparta Prague in the 2002 season.

He helped them to the Czech title in 2003 and the Cup in 2004 and although he is now in the twilight of what has been a sparkling career he is still a key part of the Czech national side who will be a strong outside bet to win Euro 2004.

Poborsky is also an avid fan of snow sports, such as alpine skiing, and for the past few years his friends have taken to calling him "Steve", in reference to a former Canadian alpine skiing champion, Steve Podborski.