Māris Verpakovskis

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Māris Verpakovskis

Verpakovskis playing for Latvia
Personal information
Full nameMāris Verpakovskis
Date of birth (1979-10-15) 15 October 1979
Place of birthLiepāja, Latvia
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing positionMidfielder, Forward
Club information
Current clubErgotelis
Number9
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
1995–1996FK Baltika3(0)
1996–2001FK Liepājas Metalurgs59(10)
2001–2003Skonto FC77(41)
2003–2011Dynamo Kyiv47(10)
2007→ Getafe (loan)13(1)
2007–2008→ Hajduk Split (loan)18(5)
2008→ Celta de Vigo (loan)8(0)
2009–2011→ Ergotelis (loan)47(7)
2011–2013FC Baku27(3)
2013–Ergotelis27(5)
National team‡
1999–[1]Latvia103(29)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 November 2013.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10 September 2013

Māris Verpakovskis (born 15 October 1979 in Liepāja), is former Latvian football forward, last playing for the Super League Greece club Ergotelis in Crete, Greece and Latvia national football team.[2]

Club career

Latvia

Verpakovskis started his career in the Latvian club FK Liepājas Metalurgs, for which he played from 1995 till 2001 and scored 10 goals in 59 appearances. In 2001 Verpakovskis joined another Latvian side, Skonto Riga, where he scored 41 goals in 77 appearances. This time of period is known for being the peak of Verpakovskis's career. His excellent performance was being recognized by many top European clubs, and in the late 2003 he signed a contract with the Ukrainian top team Dynamo Kyiv.

Dynamo Kyiv

Soon after joining, Verpakovskis quickly earned his spot in starting 11, scoring 5 goals in 11 appearances. He scored his first UEFA Champions League goal against the Turkish club Trabzonspor, which helped Dynamo Kyiv qualify for the next round and later Verpakovskis also scored a goal against Real Madrid in the group stage, helping to earn a 2:2 draw in Kiev. Verpakovskis scored a total of 3 goals in the Champions League. After being honored as the Dynamo Kyiv's best player of 2004 by team fans his career slowly started to decline, majorly due to a conflict with Dynamo's former coach Yozhef Sabo.[3] From that time Verpakovkis had been loaned out for several seasons in a row, as his contract with Dynamo was still active.

Loans

In 2007 Verpakovskis made a promising move to Spain, after he was signed on a loan deal by Getafe.[4] However, due to a high competition for a place in the starting line-up, Verpakovskis didn't get a chance to show his full brilliance and scored 1 goal in 13 appearances.[5] Right after returning from Spain, Verpakovskis was loaned to HNK Hajduk Split from Croatia, along with his Dynamo team-mates Florin Cernat and Goran Sablić.[6] Verpakovskis had a good season in Hajduk, scoring 5 goals in 18 appearances and played the key role in team's victories.[7] In early 2008 he suffered an injury and did not play for the remaining time of his loan at HNK Hajduk Split. He made a short comeback to Kiev during the summer of 2008. Verpakovskis was on a loan term with Spanish side Celta de Vigo for the 2008–2009 season, playing 8 league matches and scoring no goals, as he couldn't prove himself there due to the limited game time.[8] In 2009, Verpakovskis had to extend his contract with Dynamo Kiev for two years and the Greek Super League club Ergotelis signed him on a two-year loan.[9] During those 2 years Verpakovskis played 46 league games and scored 7 goals for the club.[10] After the season, in 2011, his loan spell ended and he returned to Kiev.[11]

FK Baku

On 30 June 2011 Verpakovskis signed a contract with the Azerbaijan Premier League club FC Baku for one season with an option to extend it for another one alongside his international team-mate Deniss Ivanovs.[12] In his first season there Māris scored 3 goals in 19 league matches and it was decided by the club's board that the contract would be extended for another season. Verpakovskis renewed his contract in June 2012.[13] The next season was not successful for the Latvian international as he saw himself lose the place in the starting eleven, making only 8 league appearances and scoring no goals. Despite scoring 2 goals and helping Baku grab a 3-1 victory over Sumgayit PFC in the 1/8 finals of the Azerbaijan Cup on 28 November 2012,[14] Verpakovskis left the club in January 2013.[15]

Ergotelis

On 30 January 2013 rumours in the Greek and Latvian media appeared that Verpakovskis could rejoin the Greek Football League club Ergotelis.[16] This information was officially confirmed by the club and the player one day later - on 31 January 2013.[17] Verpakovskis made his return debut for the club on 20 February 2013 in a league match against Doxa Drama.[18] On 29 April 2013 Verpakovskis scored both goals in his club's 2-0 league victory over Olympiacos Volou.[19] Verpakovskis then scored in the last match of the season on 26 May 2013 to secure a 1-1 draw against Niki Volos. This goal and point secured Ergotelis a return to the Super League Greece.[20] Verpakovskis made his Super League return debut on 26 August 2013 in a 2-0 victory over Levadiakos.[21] He scored his first goal since return to the Superliga on 2 November 2013 in a 2-1 loss to P.A.O.K..[22] On 10 November 2013 Verpakovskis scored for the second consecutive Superliga match in a row, helping Ergotelis secure a 3-1 victory over Panthrakikos.[23]

International career

Verpakovskis made his debut for Latvia on 9 September 1999 in a 2–1 victory over Greece, scoring in that match.[24] He rose to international prominence as the highest goalscorer for Latvia in their successful UEFA Euro 2004 qualification campaign, with 6 goals in 10 matches. He scored once for Latvia in Euro 2004 and nearly scored what could have been a candidate for goal of the tournament against Germany, dribbling on a weaving run from the half way line and beating four German players. Verpakovskis is regarded as the most popular Latvian footballer having surpassed Marians Pahars as his country's most recognisable player. He is currently the leading all time top goal scorer for Latvia, with 29 goals (As of 13 October 2012 (2012-10-13)). Top Latvian scorer in FIFA World Cup 2006 qualification, UEFA Euro 2008 qualification, as well as the FIFA World Cup 2010 qualification.[25]

On September 2013, Verpakovskis won his 100th cap for the Latvian national team in a 1–0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Greece.[26]

International goals

Māris Verpakovskis: International Goals
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 9 June 1999 Athens, Greece  Greece 0 – 1 1–2 UEFA Euro 2000 Qualifying
2. 28 February 2001 Vaduz, Liechtenstein  Liechtenstein 0 – 2 0–2 Friendly
3. 3 July 2001 Riga, Latvia  Estonia 1 – 0 3–1 Baltic Cup 2001
4. 21 August 2002 Riga, Latvia  Belarus 1 – 1 2–4 Friendly
5. 7 June 2003 Budapest, Hungary  Hungary 0 – 1 3–1 UEFA Euro 2004 Qualifying
6. 10 September 2003 Riga, Latvia  Hungary 1 – 0 3–1 UEFA Euro 2004 Qualifying
7. 10 September 2003 Riga, Latvia  Hungary 3 – 0 3–1 UEFA Euro 2004 Qualifying
8. 11 October 2003 Stockholm, Sweden  Sweden 0 – 1 0–1 UEFA Euro 2004 Qualifying
9. 15 November 2003 Riga, Latvia  Turkey 1 – 0 1–0 UEFA Euro 2004 Qualifying
10. 19 November 2003 Istanbul, Turkey  Turkey 2 – 2 2–2 UEFA Euro 2004 Qualifying
11. 31 March 2004 Celje, Slovenia  Slovenia 0 – 1 0–1 Friendly
12. 6 June 2004 Riga, Latvia  Azerbaijan 1 – 0 2–2 Friendly
13. 15 June 2004 Aveiro, Portugal  Czech Republic 0 – 1 2–1 UEFA Euro 2004
14. 8 September 2004 Luxembourg, Luxembourg  Luxembourg 0 – 1 3–4 FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualifying
15. 9 October 2004 Bratislava, Slovakia  Slovakia 0 – 1 4–1 FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualifying
16. 17 November 2004 Vaduz, Liechtenstein  Liechtenstein 0 – 1 0–3 FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualifying
17. 30 March 2005 Riga, Latvia  Luxembourg 3 – 0 4–0 FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualifying
18. 30 March 2005 Riga, Latvia  Luxembourg 4 – 0 4–0 FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualifying
19. 7 October 2006 Riga, Latvia  Iceland 2 – 0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
20. 7 October 2006 Riga, Latvia  Iceland 3 – 0 4–0 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
21. 13 October 2007 Reykjavík, Iceland  Iceland 1 – 3 2–4 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
22. 13 October 2007 Reykjavík, Iceland  Iceland 1 – 4 2–4 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
23. 17 November 2007 Riga, Latvia  Liechtenstein 2 – 1 4–1 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
24. 1 April 2009 Riga, Latvia  Luxembourg 2 – 0 2–0 FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifying
25. 10 October 2009 Athens, Greece  Greece 1 – 1 5–2 FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifying
26. 10 October 2009 Athens, Greece  Greece 1 – 2 5–2 FIFA World Cup 2010 Qualifying
27. 7 September 2010 Ta' Qali, Malta  Malta 0 – 2 0–2 UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying
28. 9 February 2011 Antalya, Turkey  Bolivia 0 – 1 1–2 Friendly
29. 12 October 2012 Bratislava, Slovakia  Slovakia 2 – 1 2–1 FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying

Honours

Skonto FC

  • Latvian champion
    • 2001, 2002
  • Latvian Cup winner
    • 2001, 2002

FC Dynamo Kyiv

  • Ukrainian Premier League champion
    • 2004
  • Ukrainian Cup winner
    • 2005, 2006

FC Baku

  • Azerbaijan Cup winner
    • 2012

National Team

  • Baltic Cup winner
    • 2001, 2003, 2008

Personal honours

  • Latvian Man Of The Year 2003–2004[27]
  • Dynamo Kyiv player of the year - 2004[28]
  • Latvian footballer of the year - 2003 and 2004
  • Top scorer in the history of the national team - 29 goals

Career statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Latvia League Cup League Cup Europe Total
1996Baltika LiepājaHigher League30
1997Liepājas MetalurgsHigher League60
1998162
1999215
2000163
2001SkontoHigher League2710
2002259
20032522
Ukraine League Ukrainian Cup League Cup Europe Total
2003–04Dynamo KyivPremier League94
2004–05234
2005–069120
2006–076131
Spain League Copa del Rey Supercopa de España Europe Total
2006–07GetafeLa Liga131
Croatia League Croatian Cup League Cup Europe Total
2007–08Hajduk SplitPrva HNL185
Spain League Copa del Rey League Cup Europe Total
2008–09Celta de VigoSegunda División80-
Greece League Greek Cup League Cup Europe Total
2009–10ErgotelisSuper League Greece22321
2010–11ErgotelisSuper League Greece25410
Azerbaijan League Azerbaijan Cup League Cup Europe Total
2011-12BakuAzerbaijan Premier League19330
2012–13BakuAzerbaijan Premier League801220
Greece League Greek Cup League Cup Europe Total
2012-13ErgotelisFootball League183-
2013–14ErgotelisSuper League Greece3210-
Latvia 14151
Ukraine 4710
Spain 211
Croatia 185
Greece 6812
Azerbaijan 273
Total Club 31282

References

  1. ↑ "Maris Verpakovskis - Goals in International Matches". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 
  2. ↑ Maris Verpakovskis – Player profile. transfermarkt.co.uk. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  3. ↑ Apollo – Sports: Verpakovskis – Kijevas «Dinamo» gada futbolists. Apollo.lv. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  4. ↑ Verpakovskis 'Getafe' spēlēs vismaz pusgadu (papildināts) – DELFI. Delfi.lv. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  5. ↑ Maris Verpakovskis – Performance data. transfermarkt.co.uk (1979-10-15). Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  6. ↑ Verpakovskis pagarina līgumu ar "Dynamo", bet spēlēs "Hajduk" – Futbols –. Sportacentrs.com (2007-07-18). Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  7. ↑ Maris Verpakovskis – Performance data. transfermarkt.co.uk (1979-10-15). Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  8. ↑ Maris Verpakovskis – Performance data. transfermarkt.co.uk (1979-10-15). Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  9. ↑ Verpakovskis nākamās divas sezonas spēlēs Grieķijas klubā ‘Ergotelis’ – DELFI. Sports.delfi.lv. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  10. ↑ Maris Verpakovskis – Total performance data. transfermarkt.co.uk (1979-10-15). Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  11. ↑ Verpakovskis atstāj Hēraklejas "Ergotelis" – Leģionāri – Futbols –. Sportacentrs.com (2011-05-31). Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  12. ↑ Verpakovskis parakstījis līgumu ar Starkova "Baku" – Leģionāri – Futbols –. Sportacentrs.com (2011-06-30). Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  13. ↑ http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/06062012-verpakovskis_ari_nakamsezon_speles_baku
  14. ↑ http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/28112012-verpakovskim_divi_varti_video
  15. ↑ http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/05112012-baku_briest_parmainas_verpakovskis_un_iva
  16. ↑ http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/30012013-verpakovskis_varetu_atgriezties_ergotelis
  17. ↑ http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/31012013-oficiali_verpakovskis_vienojies_ar_ergote
  18. ↑ http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/20022013-verpakovskis_debite_ar_parliktni_bridinaj?is_mobile=0
  19. ↑ http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/29042013-verpakovskim_divi_varti_griekija?is_mobile=0
  20. ↑ http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/26052013-verpakovskim_varti_ergotelis_atgriezas_gr
  21. ↑ http://www.diena.lv/sports/futbols/verpakovskis-ar-uzvaru-atgriezas-griekijas-superliga-14022158
  22. ↑ http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/02112013-verpakovskis_iesit_vartus_griekijas_super
  23. ↑ http://sportacentrs.com/futbols/legionari/10112013-verpakovskim_atkal_varti_vanins_izstajas_
  24. ↑ Lff: Māris Verpakovskis. Lff.lv (1979-10-15). Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  25. ↑ http://www.euro2008net.com/en/qplayer/259
  26. ↑ "Verpakovskis proud of 100 for Latvia". FIFA. 16 October 2013. 
  27. ↑ Eiropas cilvēks Latvijā – Māris Verpakovskis. Diena.lv. Retrieved on 17 October 2011.
  28. ↑ http://www.tvnet.lv/sports/futbols/28346-verpakovskis_lidzjuteju_aptauja_atzits_par_gada_labako_kijevas_dinamo_futbolistu

External links

Ergotelis F.C. – current squad
Latvia squad – UEFA Euro 2004
Latvia
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