Footballer Patrik Levčík left a considerable mark at the last European Championship in minifootball. A native of Velké Pavlovice and a long-time player of MSK Břeclav was one of the mainstays of the Czech team, which occupied the fourth position last week in the Croatian port city of Vrsar. Levčík scored three goals in seven games and also became one of the best scorers in the team. “The tournament belongs among the best experiences in my sporting career. It was a great ride with a bit of a sad ending, but I still enjoyed it very much” recounted the twenty-two year old enthusiastic footballer who has also represented the Czech Republic in the spring World Championship of indoor soccer in the United States.
The Czech team almost reached the finals but eventually they were defeated 1:2 by Romania after penalty kicks in the semi finals and later in a duel for the bronze medal 3:4 by Bosnia and Herzegovina. “If we knew before the tournament that we finished fourth, we would take it with both hands, because there were a lot of great teams and the quality of minifootball had risen up rapidly. After excellent performances in the group, we knew that we could grab the gold, but in the semifinals with Romania where penalty kicks decided it was nothing but a lottery”, regretted the young star who added: “After a busy day, we played for the bronze with Bosnia and our coach had to make several changes in the line-up because some players were really tired. Our final position was disappointing for us” summed up Levčík, who has been playing mini football for two years for Gioia Brno, with whom he celebrated the title last year.
A smaller version of football is becoming increasingly popular, as evidenced by the fact that the matches of the Czech team at the European Championship were broadcast by the Czech Television. “It’s a great experience to play under the cameras, and especially when I know that I was being watched by a lot of friends. Especially by my family and my father Radek, who has always supported me and who is my role model”.
Patrik could not speak highly enough about the time spent with the team. “I enjoyed the tournament both on the pitch and also off it. Our realization team picked a great bunch of guys who didn´t show off too much and in every situation pulled together” claimed Levčík, who also fully appreciated the attractive scenery of the tournament in the form of the Adriatic Sea. “When the weather was nice we went swimming. Especially after the matches we went to the sea for a while to regenerate” said Levčík who played with the current MSK Břeclav midfielder Ondřej Paděra which scored four goals in the tournament.
Levčík, besides minifootball, still devotes his time to 11 a side football. After his last year’s departure from Břeclav he headed into the first Landesliga in Austria which is the fifth highest football competition of our southern neighbours. There he plays for ASV Sprantzen at the suburbs of Sankt Pölten.