User:Ninja212121/Adam Láska

Adam Láska (born 7 October 1958 in Bratislava) is a Czech former footballer who played as an Centre Back. He played his entire career in Czechoslovakia and West Germany with Slovan Bratislava, Bochum, Hamburg and Sparta Prague. Playing over 400 games in total, 387 of which came in the league, he was not a very prolific goalscorer, scoring just under 30 in all competitions. Described by Pundits and teammates alike as a classic Hardman, he was renown for his tough tackling and bravery, and in turn picked up 18 red cards in his career. A former Czech from the Slovak Region, he played 48 times for his country, scoring 2 goals. He is the father Slovak international Dominik Láska who he mentored throughout his career, becoming his agent. He is also the Grandfather of Slovak internationals Matej Láska, Viktor Láska and Filip Láska

Early Career
Born in Ružinov, Bratislava on the 7th of October, 1958 to an ethnically Slovak Family, Adam grew up playing football, learning from his father, who at the time worked as a coach for Slovan. He joined the youth team in 1967 aged 9 years old and steadily progressed through the youth system. In 1970, when the Slovan Bratislava first team was touring Germany, he was scouted by Borussia Monchengladbach who, despite being very interested in the 13 year old, couldn't decide on a deal with his father.

ŠK Slovan Bratislava
After spending 8 years at the Academy, Adam made his first team debut coming on as a sub for Ján Pivarník in a 3-1 win over LIAZ Jablonec in the league. He only played another 7 times, all of which were of the bench, during his first season.

However, the next season brought radical changes. Michal Vičan replaced old manager Jozef Vengloš, and preferred a 3 at the back system. This led to Adam Láska getting a drastic increase of first team chances, becoming one of Slovan's stand out players that season.

In the next 2 seasons Adam went strength to strength becoming one of the most feared defenders in the league due to his aggression, hard tackling, bravery and overall tenacity. However, he couldn't lead Slovan to a league nor a cup as they endured one of their most barren spells, with qualification to the UEFA Cup the highlight of Adam Láska's 4 years in Bratislava

VfL Bochum
Before the start of the 1979/80 season, Bundesliga club VfL Bochum payed 500,000€ to sign the young Czech international, who had been capped once near the end of his last season in Czechoslovakia. The signing proved to be a solid one as he quickly adapted to the Bundesliga and helped them to a 10th placed finish in the League. He also scored a memorable half volley in 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Adam Láska's Second season saw lots of improvement from the youngster and the team itself. They finished 9th in the Bundesliga that season, one higher than the previous season. They also made it to the round of 16 in the DFB-Pokal before a disappointing 4-1 loss to Hamburg who despite being the highest scoring team in the entire tournament, went out in the quarter finals to Eintracht Braunschweig.

His last season was a rather mediocre season, sitting comfortably in mid-table at 10th place, 11 points away from the relegation zone. However, it was a memorable year for VfL Bochum's impressive cup run which saw them go all the way to the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Bayern Munich 2-0.

Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV confirmed the signing of Láska for 2,000,000€ on the last day of the transfer window. The club stated that "We are impressed with Adam's determination to succeed at the highest level and we are willing to give him a chance" (translated from German).

The first season couldn't have gone better for the German side, with the Czech international helping them to a Bundesliga and European Cup Double. The Hamburg side won the 1982–83 Bundesliga on goal difference ahead of Werder Bremen. The European Cup run stared with a first round 3-1 aggregate victory over East German champions Dynamo Berlin, a 5-0 aggregate victory over Greek Champions Olympiakos in the second round, before a 4-2 aggregate win over Soviet Champions Dynamo Kyiv in the quarter finals. A Semi-Final match between Spanish champions was to take place. A 1-1 away draw against Real Sociedad, then in the second match at home Hamburg were leading with 10 minutes to go after a 75th minute goal by Ditmar Jakobs put them on the road to the final, but on the 80th minute José Álvarez equalised for Sociedad. With the game nearing the end, Attacking Midfielder Thomas von Heesen scored an 84th minute goal to send Hamburg to the finals. They Faced a Juventus side that was led by top-scorer of the tournament Paolo Rossi. It was a close match but thanks to an 8th minute goal by Felix Magath and a heroic defensive effort by Adam Láska they lifted the European Cup for the first time in their history, with Adam receiving praise for his excellent shutting down of Paolo.

The next season started in promising fashion, with them playing Aberdeen F.C. in the European Super Cup. However, a 0-0 draw at home was not enough to see them through as they lost 2-0 to Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium. Despite the setback, the team rallied to have a successful season. The German Giants however crashed out of the DFB-Pokal after a 4-3 replay loss against VfB Stuttgart. The league season also ended in disappointment as the champions lost on goal-difference to VfB Stuttgart to give Die Roten their first ever Bundesliga title.

The next season didn't start so well. A shock exit in the first round of the DFB-Pokal to SC Geislingen knocked their cup chances away. And an extremely disappointing season in the Bundesliga which left them just clawing to a Uefa Cup spot at 5th place, just edging the next best team on goal difference. They also were knocked out by Inter Milan in the Uefa Cup in the 3rd round on away goals.

Another Disappointing season in which Hamburg were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal in the first round, ironically against Adam Láska's former team, VfL Bochum, they were then knocked out of the UEFA Cup in the first round against Sparta Rotterdam on penalties, after coming back from a 2-0 away loss to draw 2-2. The Bundesliga Season was also very disappointing, where the finished 7th, 1 point below Bayer Leverkusen, and a spot in next years UEFA Cup were gone.

In what would be Adam's final season in Germany, they improved on the last 3 rather unsuccessful seasons, lifting the DFB-Pokal, thanks to a 3-1 victory over Stuttgarter Kickers at the Olympiastadion. The Cup run included some memorable wins, the pick of the bunch 6-0 FC St. Pauli in the round of 16. The Victory qualified them for next years UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. They also had a fairly successful league campaign, finishing 2nd in the Bundesliga, however, Champions Bayern Munich were comfortable winners.

Sparta Prague
Sparta Prague confirmed the signing of Adam Láska on a free transfer before the start of the 1987–88 Czechoslovak First League season. Adam stated; "As my age increases, i would like to take the remaining years of my career back to my home country. Despite winning a lot with Hamburg, I feel that I can add a lot more to my trophy cabinet with Sparta. I want to play for my country and it would be easier if I played in  Czechoslovakia." (Translated from Czech.)

Adams first season was a successful one. He slotted right in as the marauding defender of Sparta, making crucial challenges that often changed the outcome of games. In his first season, Sparta Prague lifted the Czechoslovak First League with relative ease, charging to the title with a massive 10 points between them and second place Dukla Prague. They also achieved success with the domestic cup, lifting the Czechoslovak Cup with a 2-0 win over Slovak side Inter Bratislava, with Adam opening the scoring with a well timed finish on the 18th minute.

The next 3 years ended with similar success, winning the Czechoslovak First League every year, including a domestic double in 1988-89 season in which they won the Czechoslovak Cup 3-0 against Adam Láska's former club, Slovan Bratislava. In total, he won 6 trophies during his return to Czechoslovakia, including 4 league titles.

He retired at the end of the 1990-91 season, stating his increasing age, need to care for his family and the increasing political disconnect between the Czechs and the Slovaks people. Zdeněk Nehoda stated "He was a special type of defender that is growing increasingly rare in foorball, one that puts his body on the line for a teammate he might barely know, and he deserves all the plaudits coming his way".

International Career
After making his international debut in a friendly against Greece in a 4-2 friendly at just 21 years of age, he was one of the youngest Czechoslovakian ever. After moving to Bochum, he was continuously included in Czechoslovakian squads for important match's. The next year, he was part of the Czechoslovakia team that won gold at the 1980 Summer Olympics, and later that year, part of the squad that came third at the 1980 Euros in Italy. Adam played 48 times for Czechoslovakia, scoring just 2 times in a 10 year international career. He played at just 1 world cup, the 1982 World Cup in Spain. However, he did help Czechoslovakia qualify for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. He Retired just before Italia 90', to the surprise of many fans. He retired at the end of 1989.

Personal Life
Adam Láska is the father of Slovak footballer Dominik Láska, who played 32 times for Slovakia. He is also the grandfather of Matej Láska, Viktor Láska and Filip Láska. After retirement he moved back to Bratislava to work as a Carpenter. He also worked as his sons Agent, Engineering his big money move to Austria Wien. He remains in Bratislava to this day.

Club

 * Czechoslovak First League Runners-Up: 1975-76
 * Czechoslovak Cup Runners-Up: 1975-76