Martinkenas: a man for all seasons

By Margus Luik

Estonian and Lithuanian football are both the poorer after the untimely death of Valdemaras Martinkenas.

River drowning
The former Lithuanian international goalkeeper died in Slovenia on the eve of FC Flora's UEFA Champions League game against NK Gorica. The 39-year-old, who was Flora and Estonia's goalkeeping coach, had gone for a swim in a mountain river ahead of the first qualifying round second-leg tie in Nova Gorica. He drowned after being caught in heavy currents.

Great character
Martinkenas was a man of great character and extensive experience. Born in Alytus – breeding ground for many top Lithuanian goalkeepers – he began his senior career in 1982 with FK Žalgiris Vilnius' in the Soviet reserve-team league.

Wealth of experience
Over the next 18 years, he accumulated a wealth of experience in the Soviet, Baltic, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, Swiss, Estonian, Finnish and Russian leagues. Among the highlights of his playing days were two appearances for FC Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Champions League.

Dynamo spell
Martinkenas had joined Dynamo after winning the Lithuanian league with Žalgiris in 1991. He was the Ukrainian giants' first-choice goalkeeper for two seasons, including the title-winning campaign of 1992/93.

Regular international
In 1994 he moved to Switzerland, representing FC Wil 1900 for several seasons before moving to Estonia for a year. From 1992 until 1996, Martinkenas was also a regular Lithuanian international, collecting a total of 18 caps for his country.

Memorable match
His most memorable international appearance came in September 1992 when his defiance helped his country hold newly-crowned European champions Denmark to a goalless draw. The year ended with him being named Lithuanian Player of the Year for a second time, having also won the honour in 1989.

Estonian move
After spells with FC Haka in Finland and FC KamAZ Naberezhnye Chelny in Russia, Martinkenas returned to his homeland as player-manager of FK Kareda Šiauliai, guiding them to a Lithuanian Cup win in 1999. The following year his playing career drew to a close with a series of games for Estonian side FC Kuressaare.

New generation
After retiring from playing, Martinkenas concentrated on coaching a new generation of goalkeepers, accepting an offer to coach at Estonian club Flora, as well as the country's national team. His tremendous work rate and great sense of humour were highly appreciated by the coaches he worked alongside, including Teitur Thordarson, Tarmo Rüütli and, most recently, Arno Pijpers.

Family man
Sunderland AFC goalkeeper Mart Poom, widely recognised as one of Europe's top goalkeepers, was among Martinkenas's many grateful protégés and led the tributes after his passing. "I cannot believe what has happened," he said. "Valdas was a close friend and the greatest specialist in the Baltic." Above all, though, Martinkenas was a devoted family man and his loss will be most keenly felt by his wife Natalja and three children.