Zdravko Borovnica
Encyclopedia
Zdravko Borovnica is a Serbia
n retired football player.
together with his younger brother Slavko. When his brother moved to OFK Kikinda, where he made most of his career, Zdravko signed with FK Proleter Zrenjanin
who were desperately fighting for the return to the Yugoslav First League
. Next year he went for trials in the giants Red Star Belgrade
making a good impression with the coach Gojko Zec
and signing a contract with them. But the beginning was hard for him, because there was already a big competition for a striker place in the team, spending most of the time on the bench. Everything changed in a UEFA Cup match against Dinamo Berlin that his team had to overcome a defeat in Berlin of 5:2, and an already conceded goal in the returning match, when the coach, now, Branko Stanković, decided to give him a chance. He would not regret it, because Borovnica ended scoring two goals and helping the team make one of the most incredible turn arounds in the football history, with a final 4:1 win. Since then, Borovnica became the team joker player. In the next seasons, because Red Star had many excellent strikers, but not so many great defenders
, it was decided that his characteristics would make him a good defensive player. That make him become the big, fighting, cold and rational defender that is still this days remembered. He also was excellent in taking the ball forward, making a double-pass and becoming a threat to the adversaries goals, showing that he never forgot his forward skills. He was also a terrific header. It's, non-officially, said that, since Red Star had already too many players in the national team squad, he wouldn't have a chance to play for the Yugoslav national team
. He stayed there until 1982 playing an impressive 161 official matches and scoring 24 goals. Next he decided to go abroad, again, he had a breaf spell in Australian Footscray JUST
in 1977, this time to France Ligue 1
team SC Bastia
where he played the 1982-83 season. Afterward, he returned to Yugoslavia where he represented a number of First League clubs, namely, Olimpija Ljubljana
(1983-83), Dinamo Vinkovci ( 1984–86) and FK Sutjeska
( 1987–88).
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n retired football player.
Career
He started playing in his hometown club FK Polet NakovoFK Polet Nakovo
FK Polet is a Serbian football club based in Nakovo, Kikinda, Serbia. FK Polet competes in Vojvodjanska liga "Istok".- Current squad :For current season 2011/2012.* N. Zrilic * M. Angelovski * S. Tubin * D. Zoric...
together with his younger brother Slavko. When his brother moved to OFK Kikinda, where he made most of his career, Zdravko signed with FK Proleter Zrenjanin
FK Proleter Zrenjanin
FK Proleter Zrenjanin was a football club from the city of Zrenjanin, Vojvodina, Serbia.-Early period:...
who were desperately fighting for the return to the Yugoslav First League
Yugoslav First League
The Yugoslav First League was the premier football league in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and socialist Yugoslavia...
. Next year he went for trials in the giants Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade is a football club from Belgrade, Serbia. The club is a part of the Red Star Sports Society.Red Star Belgrade is the most successful Serbian club, with a record of 25 national championships and 23 national cups in both Serbian and ex-Yugoslav competitions...
making a good impression with the coach Gojko Zec
Gojko Zec
Gojko Zec was a famous Serbian football manager. He coached OFK Beograd, FK Partizan, FK Borac Banja Luka, NK Rijeka, Red Star Belgrade, Aris, Yugoslavia FK Borac Čačak....
and signing a contract with them. But the beginning was hard for him, because there was already a big competition for a striker place in the team, spending most of the time on the bench. Everything changed in a UEFA Cup match against Dinamo Berlin that his team had to overcome a defeat in Berlin of 5:2, and an already conceded goal in the returning match, when the coach, now, Branko Stanković, decided to give him a chance. He would not regret it, because Borovnica ended scoring two goals and helping the team make one of the most incredible turn arounds in the football history, with a final 4:1 win. Since then, Borovnica became the team joker player. In the next seasons, because Red Star had many excellent strikers, but not so many great defenders
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, it was decided that his characteristics would make him a good defensive player. That make him become the big, fighting, cold and rational defender that is still this days remembered. He also was excellent in taking the ball forward, making a double-pass and becoming a threat to the adversaries goals, showing that he never forgot his forward skills. He was also a terrific header. It's, non-officially, said that, since Red Star had already too many players in the national team squad, he wouldn't have a chance to play for the Yugoslav national team
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
. He stayed there until 1982 playing an impressive 161 official matches and scoring 24 goals. Next he decided to go abroad, again, he had a breaf spell in Australian Footscray JUST
Footscray JUST
Footscray JUST is a defunct association football club from Melbourne, Australia.Established in 1950 by migrants from Yugoslavia they played in the Victorian leagues with a fair amount of success, winning five Victorian State League titles, and three Dockerty Cup titles...
in 1977, this time to France Ligue 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
team SC Bastia
SC Bastia
Sporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
where he played the 1982-83 season. Afterward, he returned to Yugoslavia where he represented a number of First League clubs, namely, Olimpija Ljubljana
NK Olimpija Ljubljana (1911)
NK Olimpija Ljubljana was a Slovenian association football club based in Ljubljana. The club had traced its origin back to 1911 when it was originally founded as SK Ilirija. It had gone through a series of mergers in the first half of the 20th century before adopting the name Olimpija in 1962...
(1983-83), Dinamo Vinkovci ( 1984–86) and FK Sutjeska
FK Sutjeska
Sutjeska FC is a football club from Nikšić, Montenegro, currently competing in the First League of Montenegro. Its colours are blue and white...
( 1987–88).
External sources
- Profile in Worldfootball.
- Stats from Yugoslav League in Zerodic.
- Zoranko Brovnica career stats in Turkey at mackolik.com