Marek Lemsalu (born 24 November 1972) is an Estonian former professional footballer. He played as a centre-back for Pärnu KEK, Sport Tallinn, Pärnu Kalakombinaat/MEK, Flora, Mainz 05, Kuressaare, Strømsgodset, Tulevik, Start, Bryne and Levadia.
Lemsalu made his debut for the Estonia national team in 1992. He was captain in 1995 and 1996, and made a total of 86 appearances for the team before retiring in 2007.
Lemsalu was named Estonian Footballer of the Year in 1996 and Meistriliiga Player of the Year in 2006.
Club career Early career Lemsalu started playing football in 1988 for his hometown club Pärnu KEK, before moving to Soviet Second League club Sport Tallinn in 1989. In 1990, he returned to Pärnu where he played for Pärnu Kalakombinaat/MEK.
Flora In 1992, Lemsalu signed for Flora of the newly formed Meistriliiga. With Flora, he won four Meistriliiga titles, in 1993–94, 1994–95, 1997–98, and 1998. In December 1997 he had a trial at English club Barnsley who were then in the Premier League, however this didn't lead to a transfer.
Mainz 05 (loan) In 1996, Lemsalu joined German 2. Bundesliga side Mainz 05 on a season-long loan for a fee of EEK 1 million.
Strømsgodset In 1999, Lemsalu signed for Norwegian Tippeligaen side Strømsgodset.
Tulevik In 2000, Lemsalu returned to Estonia and joined Tulevik.
Start In 2001, Lemsalu signed for Norwegian 1. divisjon side Start. He helped Start to finish the 2001 season as runners-up and earn their promotion to the Tippeligaen.
Bryne On 11 December 2002, Lemsalu signed a three-year contract with Norwegian Tippeligaen side Bryne.
Levadia On 17 January 2006, Lemsalu returned to the Meistriliiga, joining Levadia. Levadia reached the first round in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup, but lost to Newcastle United 1–3 on aggregate. In 2006, Lemsalu succeeded Konstantin Vassiljev as team captain. He won the 2006 Meistriliiga title and was named Meistriliiga Player of the Year. He won two more successive Meistriliiga titles in 2007 and 2008. Lemsalu retired from professional football after the 2008 season, playing his last match on 15 November 2008 against TVMK.
International career Lemsalu made his international debut for the Estonia national team on 11 July 1992 in a 1–1 draw against Lithuania in the 1992 Baltic Cup. He was team captain in 1995 and 1996. He scored his first goal for Estonia on 22 June 1997 in a 4–1 home win against Andorra in a friendly. Lemsalu retired from international football on 28 March 2007, after a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match against Israel. He made a total of 86 appearances and scored 3 goals.
Personal life Lemsalu's daughter Liis Lemsalu is a singer and the winner of the fourth season of Eesti otsib superstaari (Estonian version of Idols).
Career statistics Club ClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherIncludes the Commonwealth of Independent States Cup, Estonian Supercup, Baltic League and Livonia CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsPärnu KEK19882. liiga120 ——1201989172 ——172Total292 ——292Eesti Tööstus/Flora1989Kõrgliiga10 ——10Sport Tallinn1989Soviet Second League40 ——401990Baltic League220 ——220Total260 ——260Pärnu Kalakombinaat/MEK1990Kõrgliiga161 ——1611991233 ——233Total394 ——394Flora1992Meistriliiga81 ——811992–93185 ——1851993–94151 ——1511994–95193 10302331995–96243 20302931996–9741 20—611997–98181 20—201199850 100060199982 10—92Total11917 906013417Mainz 05 (loan)1996–972. Bundesliga16000——160Kuressaare (loan)1998Esiliiga1000—0010Strømsgodset1999Tippeligaen8000—0080Tulevik2000Meistriliiga206 1000216Start20011. divisjon29230——322Bryne2002Tippeligaen26431——295200325130——28120041. divisjon30150——351200529440——334Total11010151——12511Levadia2006Meistriliiga335 60—3952007306 40704162008284 2071375Total9115 12014111116Career total4895618122020154958
International National teamYearAppsGoalsEstonia1992101993601994120199570199610019971311998501999100200090200130200361200421200720Total863
International goals Estonia score listed first, score column indicates score after each Lemsalu goal. No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition122 June 1997Kuressaare Linnastaadion, Kuressaare, Estonia2–04–1Friendly220 August 2003A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia1–21–2Friendly314 February 2004Ta' Qali National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta2–02–12004 Malta International Tournament
Honours Club Pärnu Kalakombinaat/MEK Estonian Cup: 1990
Flora Meistriliiga: 1993–94, 1994–95, 1997–98, 1998 Estonian Cup: 1994–95
Levadia Meistriliiga: 2006, 2007, 2008 Estonian Cup: 2006–07
Individual Estonian Footballer of the Year: 1996 Meistriliiga Player of the Year: 2006
References
External links