Marek Citko

In today's world, Marek Citko is a topic that arouses growing interest among a wide spectrum of the population. Since its emergence, Marek Citko has generated conflicting opinions and debate regarding its impact on society. With the passage of time, this topic has acquired increasing relevance, influencing different aspects of daily life and the development of various areas of knowledge. This is why it is essential to analyze in depth the different aspects related to Marek Citko, in order to understand its scope and the implications it has for individuals, communities and the world in general. In this article, we will explore different perspectives and approaches on Marek Citko, with the aim of providing a complete and enriching vision of its importance today.

Marek Citko
Personal information
Full name Marek Citko
Date of birth (1974-03-27) 27 March 1974 (age 51)
Place of birth Białystok, Poland
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1989–1990 Włókniarz Białystok
1990–1992 Jagiellonia Białystok
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1995 Jagiellonia Białystok 74 (12)
1995–1999 Widzew Łódź 86 (24)
1999–2001 Legia Warsaw 36 (6)
2001 Dyskobolia Grodzisk 3 (0)
2001–2002 Hapoel Be'er Sheva 17 (1)
2002 Legia Warsaw 0 (0)
2002–2004 FC Aarau 24 (4)
2004–2005 Cracovia 15 (0)
2005 Yverdon-Sport FC 6 (0)
2005–2007 Polonia Warsaw 36 (7)
International career
1996–1997 Poland 10 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Marek Citko (born 27 March 1974) is a Polish former professional footballer who played as an offensive midfielder.[1] During the professional career Citko represented numerous clubs in Poland and outside the native country, including Włókniarz Białystok, Jagiellonia Białystok, Widzew Łódź, Legia Warsaw, Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, FC Aarau, Cracovia and Polonia Warsaw.

Club career

Widzew Łódź

Citko reached the greatest heights of his career while playing for Widzew Łódź. Led by Franciszek Smuda, Widzew won the 1995–96[2] and 1996–97 Ekstraklasa titles,[3] as well as the 1996 Polish Super Cup.[4]

During the 1996–97 season, with Citko in the line-up, Widzew qualified for the UEFA Champions League. His team was eliminated from the competition after the group stage.[5] Citko performed well, scoring twice in the first two games of Widzew's campaign. On 11 September, he scored a late goal in a 2–1 away loss against eventual champions Borussia Dortmund. Two weeks later, he chipped José Francisco Molina, the then goalkeeper of the Spain national team, from 40 yards out in a 1–4 home loss against Atlético Madrid.[6]

A severe injury & later career

Shortly after, on 17 May 1997 in the match against Górnik Zabrze, Citko suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury, and after his 16-month recuperation was unable to capture his previous form.[7] He spent the rest of his career playing for lower profile sides. While representing Polonia Warsaw during the 2006–07 season, on 18 November 2006 Citko scored directly from the corner kick in a 2–2 draw against Zawisza Bydgoszcz. He retired on 29 June 2007, as one of the biggest unfulfilled talents in Polish football history.

International career

During his stint at Widzew, Citko won 10 caps for Poland. On 9 October 1996, in the 1998 World Cup qualifier at Wembley Stadium in London, Citko opened the scoring against the hosts.[8] Despite Poland losing the match 1–2, the game put Citko on foreign clubs' radar. It was reported that the Pole would join Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, but he eventually decided not to leave Poland, explaining that he wished to train as a priest.[9] He was also linked with Liverpool.[10]

Stardom in Poland

Scoring a goal against England turned Citko into an overnight sensation in Poland. The player came first in a contest organized by the Polish Television (TVP), Polish Radio Program 3 (PR3) and "Super Express" (a Polish daily newspaper). He also won the Polish Newcomer of the Year award given out by "Piłka Nożna", at the time the biggest football magazine in Poland, and came 10th in the contest of "Przegląd Sportowy".

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 9 October 1996 Wembley Stadium, London, England  England
1–0
1–2
 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification
2. 26 February 1997 Estádio Serra Dourada, Goiânia, Brazil  Brazil
2–4
2–4
 Friendly

Honours

Widzew Łódź

Individual

References

  1. ^ Pięć? Za dużo. Miałem swoje dwie minuty weszlo.com
  2. ^ "Polish Ekstraklasa - results of the 1995/1996 season". Soccerway.com.
  3. ^ "Polish Ekstraklasa - results of the 1996/1997 season". Soccerway.com.
  4. ^ "Polish SuperCup". PolishSoccer.net. Archived from the original on 24 August 2011.
  5. ^ "1996/1997 Champions League group stage". Worldfootball.net.
  6. ^ "The 1996/1997 season match between Widzew and Atletico". Weltfussball.de. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  7. ^ "Citko's severe injury". Pilkarskiefakty.pl. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012.
  8. ^ "Citko's goal against England". EnglandFootballOnline.com.
  9. ^ "Citko kills his deal over cash". Daily Mirror. 16 February 1997. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  10. ^ Alan Nixon (13 March 1997). "Liverpool make move for Citko". The Independent. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  11. ^ "Laureaci". pilkanozna.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 16 July 2024.