Boris Živković

Boris Živković
Personal information
Date of birth	15 November 1975 (age 49)
Place of birth	Živinice, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, SFR Yugoslavia
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Full-back
Youth career
1989–1991	Sarajevo
1992–1993	Marsonia
Senior career*
Years	Team
1993–1994	Sarajevo
1994–1996	Marsonia
1996–1997	Hrvatski Dragovoljac
1997–2003	Bayer Leverkusen
2003	Portsmouth
2004–2006	VfB Stuttgart
2006	→ 1. FC Köln (loan)
2006–2009	Hajduk Split
Total
International career
1999–2007	Croatia
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Boris Živković (Croatian pronunciation: [bôːriz ʒǐːʋkoʋit͡ɕ];^[1] born 15 November 1975) is a Croatian former professional footballer who played as a full-back and centre-back.

Živković began his professional career with Marsonia and Hrvatski Dragovoljac in his native country before spending six seasons with Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Following shorter stints at Portsmouth, VfB Stuttgart, and 1. FC Köln, he returned to Croatia to play for Hajduk Split.

At international level, Živković represented the Croatia national team making 39 appearances, 18 of which as the captain of the team.

Club career

Early career

Živković started his career at Sarajevo as a youth player, before being signed by Marsonia (from Slavonski Brod). He gained a good reputation at Marsonia, first appearing in the 1994–95 season, during which he made 13 appearances. The next season, he played a further 31 games before transferring to Hrvatski Dragovoljac (from Siget, Zagreb). He only spent one season at his new club however, before impressive performances persuaded German club Bayer Leverkusen to sign him.

Bayer Leverkusen

Živković went on to play six seasons for the German club, playing over 150 times, including the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final. Following his contract expiring in the summer of 2003, Živković stated his desire to play in the Premier League, and was signed later that summer by Portsmouth.

Portsmouth and Stuttgart

Živković started his Pompey career well, instantly claiming a regular starting place. However, in December, a public fall-out with manager Harry Redknapp led to him being released, having played only 18 times for the club. VfB Stuttgart stepped in to bring Živković back to Germany, and the Croatian joined them in January.

Hajduk Split

In August 2006 he moved to Hajduk Split.^[2]

International career

Živković was a regular for the Croatia national team, making 39 appearances and scoring twice.^[3] He was part of the squad at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but in his first game against Mexico, he caused a penalty in the 59th minute after which he was sent off and the Mexicans went on to score from the penalty mark and win the game by 1-0. He was no longer in the team for the remaining two games Croatia played on the tournament before being eliminated — Italy and Mexico progressed from the group to the playoffs instead.

He also played two games at Euro 2004. Boris was out of favour for the Zlatko Kranjčar's World Cup 2006 campaign but many defender injuries forced Slaven Bilić to give him a call for the Euro 2008 spring qualifying games. His final international was a February 2007 friendly match against Norway.^[4]

Career statistics

Scores and results list Croatia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Živković goal.

List of international goals scored by Boris Živković
No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	13 November 2001	Gwangju, Gwangju, South Korea	South Korea	1–1	1–1	Friendly
2	30 April 2003	Råsunda, Stockholm, Sweden	Sweden	2–1	2–1	Friendly

References

^ Boris in isolation: [bôːris].
^ "Statistika: Boris Živković" (in Croatian). Hrvatska nogometna liga. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
^ Mamrud, Roberto (16 July 2009). "Croatia – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
^ "Player Database". EU-football. Retrieved 4 June 2022.

External links

Boris Živković at Soccerway.com
Boris Živković at WorldFootball.net
Boris Živković at National-Football-Teams.com
Boris Živković at 11v11.com
Boris Živković at BDFutbol
Boris Živković at Croatian Football Statistics (national team profile) (archived) (in Croatian)

[1] Boris in isolation: [bôːris].

[2] "Statistika: Boris Živković" (in Croatian). Hrvatska nogometna liga. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 15 October 2009.

[3] Mamrud, Roberto (16 July 2009). "Croatia – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 15 October 2009.

[4] "Player Database". EU-football. Retrieved 4 June 2022.

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