Hristo Yovov
Encyclopedia
Hristo Yovov (born November 4, 1977 in Svoge
) is a Bulgaria
n footballer who currently plays for Levski Sofia
. Yovov's first club was Levski, but he has also played for Munchen 1860, Lokomotiv Sofia
, Litex Lovech
, Aris Limassol and Apollon Limassol
.
. He scored 19 goals in 56 matches, before moved to 1860 München
in January 1998. Yovov spent most of his time with the German side on the bench, making for year only nine Fußball-Bundesliga
appearances. He made his debut in a 3–0 defeat to Hansa Rostock on 31 January 1998, coming on as a 59th-minute substitute for Horst Heldt
and scored his first - and only - goal for 1860 München in a 5–1 away win over 1. FC Nuremberg on 3 October 1998.
In January 1999 Yovov joined Lokomotiv Sofia
on loan and quickly became part of the main team. He made his league debut for Lokomotiv against Litex Lovech
on 26 February 1999, in a 1–0 home win. Yovov scored his first competitive goal in a Lokomotiv shirt against Minyor Pernik
on 6 March in a 5–1 away win.
. On 4 March he made his league debut in a 4–1 home win against Dobrudzha Dobrich
. Two weeks later, Yovov scored his first goal for Litex in a 1–1 draw against Pirin Blagoevgrad
. He scored 9 goals in 12 games for Litex in his first season.
In the following 2000–01 season Yovov formed an impressive partnership with Zoran Janković, contributing 20 goals in all competitions. Litex won the Bulgarian Cup
, with he scoring three goals in the tournament.
On 15 August 2002, Yovov scored his first-ever UEFA Cup
goals, scoring twice in a 5–0 home win over Atlantas
in their qualifying round first leg tie.
, after which he was called the Jeweler by fans and journalists.
With Levski he reached 1/4 finals of UEFA Cup
in 2005-06
. Next season, Levski Sofia with Yovov, reached the group-stage of UEFA Champions League
, becoming the first Bulgarian team that reached the groups.
debut for Aris in a 1–0 home loss against Ethnikos Achna
on 12 January, coming on as a 17th-minute substitute for Laurenţiu Diniţă
. He played 14 games for the club, scoring once in a 2–1 home win over Enosis Neon Paralimni
, but Aris were relegated at the end of the season and his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
and scored his first goal in a 2–1 home loss against Anorthosis Famagusta
on 23 November 2008.
with the number 10 shirt. Hristo re-debut for Levski came on 4 March in a 2–0 win over Vihren Sandanski
.
Yovov holds the record of the fastest goal ever scored in A PFG. He scored in the 19th second of the match against Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
He became a Champion of Bulgaria in 2009. On 21 July 2009, Yovov opened his goal account for the new season. The event took place in the second match of the 2nd Qualifying round of UEFA Champions League
, where Levski beaten the team of UE Sant Julià
. The result of the match was 0:5 with a guest win for Levski. On 18 December 2009, Yovov scored the winning goal in a match against SS Lazio in a UEFA Europa League match.
In 2009/2010 season, Levski achieved qualifying for UEFA Europa League becoming 3rd in the final ranking. During the season, Yovov becoming a topscorer of the team, scoring 13 goals in the all tournaments.
Levski started 2010/2011 season with a match against Dundalk F.C.
- a second qualifying round for Europa League. Levski won the first match and the result was 6:0. Yovov scored the first goal in 11th minute.
Svoge
Svogue is a town in western Bulgaria, part of Sofia Province. It is located in the gorge of the Iskar River, at the place where the mountains Mala planina, Golema planina and Ponor meet, 40 km north of the capital Sofia....
) is a Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n footballer who currently plays for Levski Sofia
PFC Levski Sofia
"Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria...
. Yovov's first club was Levski, but he has also played for Munchen 1860, Lokomotiv Sofia
PFC Lokomotiv Sofia
PFC Lokomotiv Sofia is a Bulgarian football club from the capital city of Sofia, which currently competes in Bulgaria's top football league, the A PFG. It was founded on September 2, 1929 by a group of railway workers under the name Railway Sports Club . The club's home ground is the Lokomotiv...
, Litex Lovech
PFC Litex Lovech
PFC Litex Lovech or simply Litex is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Lovech, which currently competes in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football...
, Aris Limassol and Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol is a Greek Cypriot sports club, based in Limassol. It has football, basketball and volleyball teams. Founded in 1954, Apollon F.C...
.
Early career
During the 1994–95 season, before his 18th birthday, Yovov made his senior debut for Levski SofiaPFC Levski Sofia
"Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria...
. He scored 19 goals in 56 matches, before moved to 1860 München
TSV 1860 München
Turn- und Sportverein München von 1860, commonly known as TSV 1860 München or 1860 Munich, is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. The club's football team plays in the Second Bundesliga, after relegation from the Bundesliga following the 2003–04 season...
in January 1998. Yovov spent most of his time with the German side on the bench, making for year only nine Fußball-Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
appearances. He made his debut in a 3–0 defeat to Hansa Rostock on 31 January 1998, coming on as a 59th-minute substitute for Horst Heldt
Horst Heldt
Horst Heldt is a former German football player, now general manager at Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04.- Career as player :...
and scored his first - and only - goal for 1860 München in a 5–1 away win over 1. FC Nuremberg on 3 October 1998.
In January 1999 Yovov joined Lokomotiv Sofia
PFC Lokomotiv Sofia
PFC Lokomotiv Sofia is a Bulgarian football club from the capital city of Sofia, which currently competes in Bulgaria's top football league, the A PFG. It was founded on September 2, 1929 by a group of railway workers under the name Railway Sports Club . The club's home ground is the Lokomotiv...
on loan and quickly became part of the main team. He made his league debut for Lokomotiv against Litex Lovech
PFC Litex Lovech
PFC Litex Lovech or simply Litex is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Lovech, which currently competes in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football...
on 26 February 1999, in a 1–0 home win. Yovov scored his first competitive goal in a Lokomotiv shirt against Minyor Pernik
PFC Minyor Pernik
PFC Minyor Pernik is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Pernik, which currently competes in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football. Their fans are known as the craziest and most loyal in Bulgaria because they always support the club...
on 6 March in a 5–1 away win.
Litex Lovech
In January 2000 Yovov joined Litex LovechPFC Litex Lovech
PFC Litex Lovech or simply Litex is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Lovech, which currently competes in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football...
. On 4 March he made his league debut in a 4–1 home win against Dobrudzha Dobrich
PFC Dobrudzha Dobrich
PFC Dobrudzha is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Dobrich. It plays its home matches at Druzhba Stadium with a capacity of 12,500 seats, and its team colours are green and yellow...
. Two weeks later, Yovov scored his first goal for Litex in a 1–1 draw against Pirin Blagoevgrad
FC Pirin Blagoevgrad
FC Pirin Blagoevgrad is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Blagoevgrad, which currently competes in the Bulgarian fourth division.The club was founded in 2008, after the union of the two clubs from Blagoevgrad - Pirin and PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad...
. He scored 9 goals in 12 games for Litex in his first season.
In the following 2000–01 season Yovov formed an impressive partnership with Zoran Janković, contributing 20 goals in all competitions. Litex won the Bulgarian Cup
Bulgarian Cup
The Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
, with he scoring three goals in the tournament.
On 15 August 2002, Yovov scored his first-ever UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
goals, scoring twice in a 5–0 home win over Atlantas
FK Atlantas
FK Atlantas is a Lithuanian football team from the port city of Klaipėda. The team currently plays on the first level of the Lithuanian football league pyramid....
in their qualifying round first leg tie.
Levski Sofia
On 2 December 2005 Yovov scored brilliant winning goal in a 1–0 home win over MarseilleOlympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
, after which he was called the Jeweler by fans and journalists.
With Levski he reached 1/4 finals of UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
in 2005-06
UEFA Cup 2005-06
The UEFA Cup 2005–06 season was won by Sevilla FC, beating Middlesbrough FC in the final. It was the first victory for Sevilla in a European competition, and the first appearance by Middlesbrough in a European final. The final took place at Philips Stadion, in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The match was...
. Next season, Levski Sofia with Yovov, reached the group-stage of UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League 2006-07
The 2006–07 UEFA Champions League was the 15th season of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, since it was rebranded from the European Cup, and the 52nd season overall. The final was contested by Milan and Liverpool on 23 May 2007...
, becoming the first Bulgarian team that reached the groups.
Aris Limassol
On 4 January 2008 Yovov joined the Cyprus side Aris Limassol for a transfer fee of around €100,000. He was transferred because he no longer featured in the coach's plans. Yovov made his Cypriot First DivisionCypriot First Division
The Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
debut for Aris in a 1–0 home loss against Ethnikos Achna
Ethnikos Achna FC
Ethnikos Achna is a Cyprus football club based in the village of Achna. The club was founded in 1968. The club's president is Kikis Philippou. Ethnikos Achnas plays in the Dasaki Stadium, which has a capacity of 7,000 seats. It is currently used mostly for football matches and was built in 1997...
on 12 January, coming on as a 17th-minute substitute for Laurenţiu Diniţă
Laurentiu Dinita
Laurenţiu Diniţă is a Romanian former football player and current coach of Concordia Chiajna.-External links:* at RomanianSoccer.ro...
. He played 14 games for the club, scoring once in a 2–1 home win over Enosis Neon Paralimni
Enosis Neon Paralimni FC
Enosis Neon Paralimni is a Cypriot football team from Paralimni. Currently playing in the first division, it holds home games at the Paralimni Municipal Stadium "Tasos Marcou", which holds 5,800 people.-History:...
, but Aris were relegated at the end of the season and his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Apollon Limassol
On 3 June 2008 Yovov signed a two-year contract with Apollon LimassolApollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol is a Greek Cypriot sports club, based in Limassol. It has football, basketball and volleyball teams. Founded in 1954, Apollon F.C...
and scored his first goal in a 2–1 home loss against Anorthosis Famagusta
Anorthosis Famagusta FC
Αnorthosis Famagusta FC is a Cypriot football and volleyball club which is originally based in Famagusta, but is now temporarily based in Larnaca, due to the Turkish invasion. Anorthosis is one of the most successful clubs in Cypriot football, having won 13 league titles, 10 Cypriot Cups and 6...
on 23 November 2008.
Levski Sofia - the return
On 2 February 2009 he officially joinеd Levski SofiaPFC Levski Sofia
"Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria...
with the number 10 shirt. Hristo re-debut for Levski came on 4 March in a 2–0 win over Vihren Sandanski
FC Vihren Sandanski
FC Vihren is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Sandanski, currently playing in the West B PFG, the second division of Bulgarian football. The club's home ground is the Sandanski Stadium in Sandanski with a capacity of 6,000. Vihren Sandanski's team colours are green and...
.
Yovov holds the record of the fastest goal ever scored in A PFG. He scored in the 19th second of the match against Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
He became a Champion of Bulgaria in 2009. On 21 July 2009, Yovov opened his goal account for the new season. The event took place in the second match of the 2nd Qualifying round of UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, where Levski beaten the team of UE Sant Julià
UE Sant Julià
Unió Esportiva Sant Julià is an Andorran football club, playing in the village of Aixovall in the parish of Sant Julià de Lòria, some 6 km from the capital, Andorra la Vella and 4 km from the Spanish border....
. The result of the match was 0:5 with a guest win for Levski. On 18 December 2009, Yovov scored the winning goal in a match against SS Lazio in a UEFA Europa League match.
In 2009/2010 season, Levski achieved qualifying for UEFA Europa League becoming 3rd in the final ranking. During the season, Yovov becoming a topscorer of the team, scoring 13 goals in the all tournaments.
Levski started 2010/2011 season with a match against Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
- a second qualifying round for Europa League. Levski won the first match and the result was 6:0. Yovov scored the first goal in 11th minute.
Career Stats
- As of 12 November 2011.
| Club | Season | League | Cups | Europe | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
1994–95 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995–96 | 24 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 33 | 11 | |
| 1996–97 | 21 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 9 | |
| 1997–98 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 4 | |
| Total | 56 | 19 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 78 | 24 | |
| 1860 München TSV 1860 München Turn- und Sportverein München von 1860, commonly known as TSV 1860 München or 1860 Munich, is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. The club's football team plays in the Second Bundesliga, after relegation from the Bundesliga following the 2003–04 season... |
1997–98 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | |
| 1998–99 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 1 | ||
| Total | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| Lokomotiv Sofia PFC Lokomotiv Sofia PFC Lokomotiv Sofia is a Bulgarian football club from the capital city of Sofia, which currently competes in Bulgaria's top football league, the A PFG. It was founded on September 2, 1929 by a group of railway workers under the name Railway Sports Club . The club's home ground is the Lokomotiv... |
1998–99 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 0 | — | 15 | 6 | |
| Total | 12 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 6 | |
| Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2004–05 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 |
| 2005–06 | 19 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 34 | 7 | |
| 2006–07 | 24 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 39 | 14 | |
| 2007–08 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 1 | |
| Total | 63 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 24 | 3 | 99 | 26 | |
| Aris Limassol | 2007–08 | 14 | 1 | ? | ? | — | 14 | 1 | |
| Total | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | |
| Apollon Limassol Apollon Limassol Apollon Limassol is a Greek Cypriot sports club, based in Limassol. It has football, basketball and volleyball teams. Founded in 1954, Apollon F.C... |
2008–09 | 7 | 2 | ? | ? | — | 7 | 2 | |
| Total | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | |
| Levski Sofia PFC Levski Sofia "Levski Sofia" redirects here. For the sports club, see Levski Sofia .PFC Levski Sofia, otherwise simply known as Levski or Levski Sofia, is a professional football club based in Sofia, Bulgaria... |
2008–09 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| 2009–10 2009–10 A PFG The 2009-10 season of the Bulgarian A PFG was the 86th season of top-tier football in Bulgaria. It began on 7 August 2009 with the game between Beroe and Lokomotiv Sofia. The last round took place on 30 May 2010... |
24 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 35 | 14 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 A PFG The 2010–11 A PFG is the 87th season of the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, Bulgaria's premier football league. The season commenced on 31 July 2010 and will end with the last games on 28 May 2011. The winter break will be in effect between weekends around 29 November 2010 and 26 February... |
16 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 23 | 8 | |
| 2011–12 2011–12 A PFG The 2011/2012 A PFG is the 88th season of the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group - the top division of the Bulgarian football league system. The season began on 6 August 2011 and will end with the last games in May 2012 and the promotion/relegation play-offs in June 2012... |
11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 4 | |
| Total | 62 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 4 | 84 | 30 | |
Awards
- Champion of Bulgaria 1995, 2006, 2007, 2009
- Bulgarian CupBulgarian CupThe Bulgarian Cup is a Bulgarian annual football competition. It is the country's main cup competition and all officially registered Bulgarian football teams take part in it. It is sponsored by the Bulgarian Corporate Commercial Bank....
2005, 2007 - Bulgarian SupercupBulgarian SupercupThe Bulgarian Supercup is an annually held football match between the football club that has won the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group and the club that has won the Bulgarian Cup...
2005, 2007, 2009