Couple of weeks ago against the Slovan Liberec, the Viktorian midfielder Jan Kopic played his 300th league match and officially entered the Club of Legends. In the interview for the Viktorián magazine, he recalled his first football steps, spoke about the recordholder Milan Petržela and revealed, which match he still sees before his eyes. We are bringing the whole interview to you on our website now as well.

Jan, do you remember your first league match?
“Of course, everyone remembers his first match, as every player’s dream is to play in the top league. I played my first couple of minutes in the league for Jablonec against Mladá Boleslav. The match was tied and I stepped down at half-time.”

The coach was not happy about your performance?
“Well, I don’t remember that anymore. But I could not have played well, if he pulled me down at half-time, could I? (he laughs).”

Now you’re beyond the 300-match mark. What does it mean to you?
“It’s been a long road. If I count correctly, it’s been about 12 years. Maybe I could have reached this mark a bit earlier, but I had some injuries. That happens to every player during his career.”

Do you keep track of these stats?
“Not really. Of course, I knew that 100th or 200th match was coming near, and I also knew about the 300th game. There’s always the latest issue of the club’s magazine in the locker room, so sometimes we check it out with the guys and talk about the numbers we all have.”

You knew the 300th match was coming already during the autumn, right?
“Yes, I knew about it, but then I got injured. Since that, I haven’t really planned anything for when it might come. I tried to stay healthy and to prepare for the matches, and then it just happened. I only focused on the things I could control. And now, it’s done and dusted.”

The 300th match against Liberec went well for you, didn’t it? You scored and was selected the player of the game.
“Yeah, that was a nice cherry on top. We won, that’s what mattered. But I felt good after the game.”

Do you remember your first league goal?
“Yes, against Bohemians. Radek Sňozík was in the net and I headed in the cross from Honza Kovařík.”

What about the first game in the Viktorian jersey?
“My first match for Pilsen was in the Supercup against Liberec. I assisted on Kolda’s goal and we won 2:1. And then the first league match for Viktoria, it was against Slavia.

Do you know what company do you have now in the Club of Legends?
“Honestly? No, I haven’t checked that out, so I don’t know exactly who’s in the Club. But I know the king of all the records is Milan Petržela, that’s for sure.”

How does he do that? Adding more and more games in his age?
“I’m not sure, he probably lasts more, because he’s so small and light. He doesn’t have to carry so much weight (he laughs). No, seriously, Milan is a great player, which he constantly proves. It’s no coincidence what he’s achieved. When I remember correctly, Milan has never been injured for a long time in his career, he’s been playing regularly.”

Does Jan Kopic also have to take care of himself more than he had 12 years ago, when he entered the league?
“Of course, I’ve changed during that time.”

In which particular way?
“I lost some weight. I had constant problems with a muscle, three times in six months. I dealt with it a lot and I knew I had to change something. I was never very strong, averagely strong at best. But now I have one of the best test results in the team. You can really tell it helped me.”

What did you change then?
“Diet. I eat less, I eat more vegetables and I completely left out the sugary drinks at home. It’s no rocket science, I just have to be careful and take care of myself. And soon after that you know, what suits you.“

What about the preparation for the matches?
I am far more often on the physiotherapist’s table now, to relax the muscles and to regenerate. When something started to hurt a bit before, I didn’t pay much attention to it and often tried to ignore it. Now I’d rather focus on that immediately and try to find a solution with the physiotherapist right away to eliminate the problem.”

Before the spring period, you underwent a training session for the players who were injured during the autumn.
“The break without any football was really long. It wouldn’t be ideal to jump straight into hard training after the injury. I definitely needed this induction training session, it helped me a lot.”

Which of those 300 matches do you remember the most?
“Definitely the last game against Hradec in Boleslav. That comes to my mind right away, it’s still a fresh memory. I remember waiting for the Slavia’s result and then we started to celebrate the title euphorically. And you know what?”

Tell me.
“When I played for Jablonec, I always had great games against Pilsen. I once scored twice. Maybe that’s why Viktoria bought me after all.”

On the other hand, is there a match you would like to erase from your memory forever?
“The loss against Slavia 0:5, after the title. The game was not important anymore, but it was a disgrace. I don’t like thinking about that match. And the home match against Karviná, when I got injured, either. If I could, I would just scratch out every game during which I got injured.”

Do you realize you are one of the oldest players in the Viktoria locker room?
“Of course I do! Only Hejdis (Lukáš Hejda) and Řízek (Radim Řezník) have served longer than I have. That’s just the way it is. There was a time I was the youngest guy here. Now I’m in the opposite role.”

Has this changed you in any way? Do you speak in the locker room more when you feel it’s needed?
“It was always a job for Limba (David Limberský), Hubňa (Roman Hubník) and older players. Now it’s my job as well, so yes, I speak from time to time.”

What is the next goal you see before you now?
“Well, I got 300 now, let’s make it 400. We’ll see how it goes. But most of all, I wish for us to be successful as a team.”