Tomáš Hubocan
Encyclopedia
Tomáš Hubočan (born 17 September 1985 in Žilina
) is a Slovak
football defender
who currently plays for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
.
since his youth years, beyond the time when he was on loan in Zlaté Moravce
since January 2006 until June 2006. After the end of loan he came back to MŠK Žilina
and he worked up for one of the best defenders
in Slovak Superliga. In the season 2006/2007
, he won Slovak Superliga.
3,8 million, the highest ever paid to a Slovak club. Hubočan is hoped to fill the vacancy in the center of Zenit's defense created by fellow Slovak defender Martin Škrtel
being sold to Liverpool
.
As Zenit's star center-backs Ivica Križanac
and Nicolas Lombaerts
were still on the injured list, and defenders Kim Dong-Jin
and Roman Shirokov
were not quite ready to make their comebacks, Hubočan received his first taste of Champions League football against Real Madrid (at the Petrovsky stadium) on 30 September 2008. Only having played a total of 11 games for Zenit, it was a rude awakening as he conceded a disastrous own-goal in the 4th minute.
Having only played in 22 league games over two seasons, Hubočan wasn't quite trusted by former head coaches Dick Advocaat
and Anatoly Davydov. He finally broke through to the starting eleven in 2010 under Italian Luciano Spalletti
, winning the competition for the unfamiliar left back spot over the likes of Michael Lumb and Radek Šírl
. Spalletti rated Hubočan as a hot prospect for the future.
On 30 September 2010, he scored his first goal for Zenit in a UEFA Europa League match against AEK Athens F.C.
against United Arab Emirates
on 11 December 2006.
Žilina
Žilina is a city in north-western Slovakia, around from the capital Bratislava, close to both the Czech and Polish borders. It is the fourth largest city of Slovakia with a population of approximately 85,000, an important industrial center, the largest city on the Váh river, and the seat of a...
) is a Slovak
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
football defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who currently plays for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
FC Zenit Saint Petersburg
Football Club Zenit is a Russian football club from the city of Saint-Petersburg. Founded in 1925 , the club plays in the Russian Premier League...
.
MŠK Žilina
Hubočan began in MŠK ŽilinaMŠK Žilina
MŠK Žilina is a Slovak football club, based in the town of Žilina. They play in the Slovak Superliga and are one of the most successful clubs in this competition, having won five championships since the league's inception in 1993. The club and their supporters alike are nicknamed Šošoni...
since his youth years, beyond the time when he was on loan in Zlaté Moravce
FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce
FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce is a Slovak football team, based in the town of Zlaté Moravce. The club was founded on 22 January 1995.- History :From the club's establishment in 1995 until 2004, they played in various regional competitions...
since January 2006 until June 2006. After the end of loan he came back to MŠK Žilina
MŠK Žilina
MŠK Žilina is a Slovak football club, based in the town of Žilina. They play in the Slovak Superliga and are one of the most successful clubs in this competition, having won five championships since the league's inception in 1993. The club and their supporters alike are nicknamed Šošoni...
and he worked up for one of the best defenders
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
in Slovak Superliga. In the season 2006/2007
Corgon Liga 2006/07
-Corgoň Liga 2006/07 Teams:In 2006/07 the Slovakian Corgoň Liga consists of the following teams:-Standings after basic stage:Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points-Championship Playoff...
, he won Slovak Superliga.
Zenit
Hubočan signed for Zenit on 11 February 2008 on three year contract for €Euro sign
The euro sign is the currency sign used for the euro, the official currency of the Eurozone in the European Union . The design was presented to the public by the European Commission on 12 December 1996. The international three-letter code for the euro is EUR...
3,8 million, the highest ever paid to a Slovak club. Hubočan is hoped to fill the vacancy in the center of Zenit's defense created by fellow Slovak defender Martin Škrtel
Martin Škrtel
Martin Škrtel is a Slovak footballer who plays in defence for Liverpool and the Slovakia national football team.-Biography:Škrtel was born in Handlová and raised in Ráztočno and began playing football at the age of six...
being sold to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
As Zenit's star center-backs Ivica Križanac
Ivica Križanac
Ivica Križanac is a Croatian football defender who currently plays for RNK Split.He previously played for Górnik Zabrze of Poland where he became one of Polish league's best players. Since joining FC Zenit Saint Petersburg Ivica has been a major player. He is a consistent player...
and Nicolas Lombaerts
Nicolas Lombaerts
Nicolas Lombaerts is a Belgian left-footed football defender who plays for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg and the Belgium national team. He is tall, a leader on the pitch and a good header, both strong in defence as in constructive play.-Brugge:Lombaerts joined Club Brugge at young age where he went...
were still on the injured list, and defenders Kim Dong-Jin
Kim Dong-Jin
Kim Dong-Jin is a South Korean footballer who plays for FC Seoul as left back. He can also play as a centre back.-Club career:...
and Roman Shirokov
Roman Shirokov
Roman Nikolayevich Shirokov is an association football defensive midfielder. He currently plays for Zenit in the Russian Premier League and for the Russia national football team.-Early career:...
were not quite ready to make their comebacks, Hubočan received his first taste of Champions League football against Real Madrid (at the Petrovsky stadium) on 30 September 2008. Only having played a total of 11 games for Zenit, it was a rude awakening as he conceded a disastrous own-goal in the 4th minute.
Having only played in 22 league games over two seasons, Hubočan wasn't quite trusted by former head coaches Dick Advocaat
Dick Advocaat
Dirk Nicolaas "Dick" Advocaat is a Dutch football manager and former player currently the manager of the Russia national football team.He has been moderately successful as a football player and as a coach, which included two stints with the Dutch national football team...
and Anatoly Davydov. He finally broke through to the starting eleven in 2010 under Italian Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti is a retired Italian footballer and current coach of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg.-Playing career:Born in Certaldo, Province of Florence, Spalletti played for Serie C teams such as Entella, Spezia, Viareggio and Empoli....
, winning the competition for the unfamiliar left back spot over the likes of Michael Lumb and Radek Šírl
Radek Šírl
Radek Šírl is a Czech football midfielder. He currently plays for FK Mladá Boleslav. His former clubs include Sparta Prague and Bohemians Prague. He plays as a left midfielder or left back. He has been called up to the Czech Republic national football team. He also played for them at the 2001 FIFA...
. Spalletti rated Hubočan as a hot prospect for the future.
On 30 September 2010, he scored his first goal for Zenit in a UEFA Europa League match against AEK Athens F.C.
International career
He played first international match for SlovakiaSlovakia national football team
The Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
against United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates national football team
The United Arab Emirates national football team represents United Arab Emirates in association football and is controlled by the United Arab Emirates Football Association, the governing body for football in United Arab Emirates...
on 11 December 2006.
Career honours
Zenit St. Petersburg- Russian Cup: 20102009–10 Russian CupThe Russian Cup 2009–10 is the eighteenth season of the Russian football knockout tournament since the dissolution of Soviet Union. The competition started on April 20, 2009 and finished with the Final held on 16 May 2010.-First round:...