Theodor “Theo†Gebreselassie: Czech-Ethiopian Defender makes history
Soccer may be dominated by Mediterranean, African and South American nations, but you wouldn’t know that by looking at the Czech Republic’s homogenous squads. One player is changing that, however, one game at a time.
Slovan Liberec defender Theo Gebre Selassie became the first player of African descent to represent the Czech Republic last spring, making his debut June 4 against Peru in a friendly tournament.
“It was great to be called up. I was surprised, but I enjoyed the game as I had nothing to lose,” Selassie tells The Prague Post.
The 25-year-old has since gone from strength to strength, becoming a regular at right back on the Czech side, which qualified for the Euro 2012 tournament. His eye-catching performances for Slovan Liberec have also won him many admirers. Selassie is a modern defender who likes to attack and is clearly comfortable with the ball at his feet, and his deft touch and lung-busting runs have helped transform Liberec into title contenders.
“That was the first time it happened to me. I just tried to pretend it didn’t happen, but it was really loud,” Selassie says. “I am not sure how much intelligence these people have, but it’s their problem, not mine.”
The Czech Football Association subsequently fined Sparta Praha a paltry 40,000 K? for their fans’ behavior.
Selassie, who was born in T?ebÃÂ? to a Czech mother and an Ethiopian father, says he had no problems growing up in Czechoslovakia. “I was very lucky, as I had a lot of friends. I didn’t have a problem to make friends, there was nothing difficult for me; it could have been worse.”
Selassie began playing soccer at the age of 7 for local team FC Velké Mezi?�àbefore moving on to Jihlava, where he eventually signed his first professional contract.
“I always played football because I liked it. I loved to play, but it wasn’t until I was 18 that I realized I wanted to play at a high level,” he says.
Catching a break
In 2007, it seemed Selassie had earned his big break when Slavia Praha came calling and signed the young defender. That season, Slavia won the league, but Theo found life tough in the Czech capital.
“It was a very good experience, but I was very young and the coach was very hard, and it was very difficult,” he says. Theo was then shipped out on loan to Slovan Liberec in the summer of 2008 and signed permanently one year later.
Ironically, Selassie has since returned to haunt Slavia Praha, scoring in a 3-1 victory Dec. 3. He hastens to point out he has scored three goals against his former teammates.
Selassie has been an ever-present player for Liberec this season, and the team sits just six points behind leaders Sparta. Slovan Liberec remains undefeated away from home, but for now, Selassie is just concentrating on enjoying his sport.
“I love it here, my teammates are great, and there is a more familiar atmosphere here in the dressing room than I experienced in Prague,” he says. “Our trainer always tells us we must enjoy the games and be happy with our football.”
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing this year, however, as the national team came under fierce criticism for their performances over the past 12 months, in particular the 3-0 friendly defeat to Norway, which left many wondering how the team could continue under the leadership of Michal BÃÂlek.
“Inside the team, there was no problem. Of course, we see the media and newspapers, we know there was huge criticism against us, but we wanted to prove we could make it [to Euro 2012].”
Reaching the European Championship will give Selassie a chance to showcase his talents against Europe’s top teams and an opportunity to further enhance his already growing reputation. For a soccer player, there is no bigger shop window than a major tournament.
“Hopefully, I can get a chance to play in some quality leagues. I have no preference, but it would be great to eventually play in Spain. Everybody would like to play there. We will see how things go after the European Championship,” Selassie says.
DenÃÂk Sport senior soccer writer Michal Petrák, who has covered Czech soccer for more than a decade, is full of praise for Selassie, calling his biggest strengths “his athleticism, vision and versatility.”
“His mother says he is a ‘sun.’ That pretty much sums him up; he’s very optimistic, always smiling. Even the racial abuse he sometimes gets does not depress him. That is also his big strength as a footballer: Bad times and dips in form don’t affect him. Also, he’s one of the most intelligent players I’ve ever met,” he says.
Whatever happens in the European Championship, Selassie has the strength of character to put adversity behind him and keep moving forward, much like his trademark runs from defense.
Theodor “Theo” Gebreselassie File
Born: Dec. 24, 1986
Place of birth: T?eb�, south Moravia
Club: Slovan Liberec
Jersey number: 32
2011/12 stats: 16 appearances, three goals
International debut: Vs. Peru, June 4, 2011
Source: Prague Post.com
