Andrei Kovalenco
Encyclopedia
Andriy Kovalenco is a Ukrainian-born Spanish rugby union player. He plays as a fly-half.
, that he would represent most of his career, from 1994/95 to 2003/04. He won the Spanish League in 1999/2000 and three titles of the Copa del Rey, in 2001, 2002 and 2003. He also would play for Barcelona Universitari Club, from 2004/05 to 2005/06, FC Barcelona Rugby
, from 2006/07 to 2007/08, and once again for Barcelona Universitari Club, since 2008/09.
Kovalenco played for three National Teams, the Soviet Union, Ukraine
and after becoming a Spanish citizen, Spain
. He was one of the highest scoring players for Spain during his international career, from 1998 to 2006, with 2 tries, 11 conversions, 49 penalties and 1 drop goal, for an aggregate of 220 points.
He played two games at the 1999 Rugby World Cup
, scoring 5 penalties, all the entire 15 points score in the 27-15 loss to Uruguay
.
Career
Kovalenco started playing rugby at 14 years old, in Aviator Kiev, where he had his first game for the premier team aged only 16. He played for Aviator Kyiv from 1987/88 to 1988/89. Due to the military service he had to move to VVA Moscow, the Army team, where he would play from 1989/90 to 1990/91. He won one Soviet League title and two Soviet Cups with VVA Moscow. He had his first game for the USSR in 1990, aged only 19 years old. He then returned to Aviator Kyiv, playing there from 1991/92 to 1993/94. He then moved to the Spanish side of CRC Madrid NoroesteCRC Madrid Noroeste
Canoe Rugby Club Madrid Noroeste is a Spanish rugby union club. The club currently competes in the División de Honor de Rugby competition, the highest level of Spanish club rugby. The club are based in Madrid in Spain, playing their matches at Valle de las Cañas. C.R.C. Madrid Noroeste play in...
, that he would represent most of his career, from 1994/95 to 2003/04. He won the Spanish League in 1999/2000 and three titles of the Copa del Rey, in 2001, 2002 and 2003. He also would play for Barcelona Universitari Club, from 2004/05 to 2005/06, FC Barcelona Rugby
FC Barcelona Rugby
FCB Rugby is a Spanish rugby union club. The senior team currently plays in División de Honor B, the second level of Spanish rugby union. The club plays home games at the Ciutat Esportiva Municipal Vall d'Hebrón-Teixonera and belong to the FC Barcelona family...
, from 2006/07 to 2007/08, and once again for Barcelona Universitari Club, since 2008/09.
Kovalenco played for three National Teams, the Soviet Union, Ukraine
Ukraine national rugby union team
The Ukraine national rugby union team represents Ukraine at the sport of rugby union. Ukraine have been playing international rugby union since the early 1990s. So far they have not qualified for a Rugby World Cup. They participate in the European Nations Cup....
and after becoming a Spanish citizen, Spain
Spain national rugby union team
The Spain national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Spain, representing them at rugby union. Spain have been playing rugby since the late 1920s, playing their first international against Italy in 1929. They have qualified for one Rugby World Cup, in 1999 where they were pooled with...
. He was one of the highest scoring players for Spain during his international career, from 1998 to 2006, with 2 tries, 11 conversions, 49 penalties and 1 drop goal, for an aggregate of 220 points.
He played two games at the 1999 Rugby World Cup
1999 Rugby World Cup
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland...
, scoring 5 penalties, all the entire 15 points score in the 27-15 loss to Uruguay
Uruguay national rugby union team
The Uruguay national rugby union team is the representative side of Uruguay, governed by the Unión de Rugby del Uruguay. They have been playing international rugby since 1948. Their jersey is blue and black and they are known as Los Teros. They qualified twice for the Rugby World Cup, in 1999 and...
.