Martin Dúbravka (top right) celebrates winning the trophy with his teammates. (source: TASR/AP)
When the final whistle blew, grown men wept, strangers embraced, and children were hoisted onto the shoulders of their parents. Those who thought they had seen it all saw something new.
And among the heroes stood a Slovak, writes Sportnet, the sister sports website of The Slovak Spectator.
Champagne streamed down his face, mixing with shimmering confetti. He jumped, danced, sang, and screamed in delight. Martin Dúbravka had a gold medal draped around his neck. He lifted the trophy.
The Slovak goalkeeper had felt a pang of injustice before the game–he was not starting. But victory has a way of erasing resentment. His Newcastle United had defeated a heavily favoured Liverpool 2–1 in the Carabao Cup final.
For Newcastle fans, the debate before the match was fierce. Nick Pope or Martin Dúbravka?
Many wanted the Slovak in goal.
The role he played
Eddie Howe made his choice. Pope, his trusted number one, got the nod. The Englishman did not have much to do but made one crucial save to keep Newcastle ahead. Yet, Dúbravka’s contribution to this triumph was undeniable.
The Slovak had been Newcastle’s cup goalkeeper. He played in the third round. He played in the quarter-finals. But most crucially, he played in both semi-final legs against Arsenal, keeping two clean sheets. Four games. Three shutouts. One goal conceded. Newcastle had their place in the final thanks in no small part to him.
Liverpool, the runaway leaders in the Premier League, faltered on the big stage. Newcastle were sharper, braver, more clinical.
Newcastle’s last major trophy was in 1955 when they hoisted the FA Cup.
A rare honour
Few Slovak footballers have won a major trophy with an English club. Martin Škrtel played in the 2012 League Cup final for Liverpool and even scored. Szilárd Németh won the competition in 2004 with Middlesbrough but never made it onto the pitch in the final.
And then there is Dúbravka–perhaps the most unusual case of them all. Two years ago, he won the Carabao Cup as a Manchester United player, having been on loan at Old Trafford for the first half of the season.
This time, the medal felt different. This was his club. His moment. His name etched in Newcastle United history.
