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Ebi Smolarek: Borussia Dortmund’s derby hero

By Brian Szlenk Straub

Chorzow, POLAND: Euzebiusz Smolarek of Poland celebrates after scoring the second goal during their Euro 2008 qualifying football match against Portugal in Chorzow 11 October 2006. AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Chorzow, POLAND: Euzebiusz Smolarek of Poland celebrates after scoring the second goal during their Euro 2008 qualifying football match against Portugal in Chorzow 11 October 2006. AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Ebi Smolarek of ADO Den Haag during the Dutch Eredivisie match between ADO Den Haag and FC Twente at Kyocera Stadium on March 24, 2012 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Ebi Smolarek of ADO Den Haag during the Dutch Eredivisie match between ADO Den Haag and FC Twente at Kyocera Stadium on March 24, 2012 in The Hague, Netherlands. (Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /

Smolarek’s Legacy – Quality over quantity

When looked at as a whole, Ebi Smolarek’s career left many of his fans wanting. He was a player of undeniable talent, with a football education and acumen developed in one of the Eredivisie’s top academies. He was the son of a famous footballer from Poland, and had successful stints in his career that he was unfortunately unable to maintain in the long run. Injuries, among other issues stifled his development and alienated him from the national team setup for periods of time, which “mar” the overall legacy he leaves behind.

For Borussia Dortmund fans however, the club was graced with the best version of Ebi. He was a resourceful and creative attacker during his time with Dortmund, and was responsible for injecting a much needed sense of joy in one of the clubs darkest moments. He was able to put a smile on the face of fans who had almost seen their club dissolved before their eyes just a couple years before, and sometimes, this is the only legacy one needs to leave behind.

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As a player who lived much of his career in the shadow of his father, Ebi Smolarek made a name for himself at Borussia Dortmund, one that certainly resonated with his fans back in the country of his birth. Ebi’s story is one that firmly cements itself in the clubs history, no matter how brief this stint was.