Danijel Popović (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Danijel Popović was a Croatia
n footballer who played as a forward.
Playing for Vukovar '91, Popović established himself as one of the most talented Croatian footballers of his generation. After impressing in the first two seasons, he was loaned to Bastia
. After the transfer to Bastia fell through, Popović then joined Osijek
where he played in only eleven matches before his tragic death in a road accident in the evening of 23 October 2002.
season. His performances drew attention to a number of first division clubs, but the club decided to keep him. In the first part of the 2001–02 Druga HNL season Popović scored 22 goals in 15 appearances, which brought him the top scorer title even though he didn't played a single game in the spring. He also played and scored both goals in a 4–2 defeat in the first round of the 2001–02 Croatian Cup
game against Rijeka. In January 2002, Popović joined Bastia
on a six-month loan until the end of the season. After an unsuccessful period in Bastia where he was featured in only one game coming in as a substitute, Popović joined Osijek
in summer 2002. He made 11 appearances for Osijek and scored 4 goals, the final one just four days before his death.
, making his debut on 7 May 2002 in a friendly match against Hungary
in Zaprešić, and scoring the second goal in a 2–0 victory. His second appearance came against Estonia
in the first round of qualifiers
for the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
when he also found the net from the penalty spot.
He was buried three days later at the local cemetery in Dalj
.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
n footballer who played as a forward.
Playing for Vukovar '91, Popović established himself as one of the most talented Croatian footballers of his generation. After impressing in the first two seasons, he was loaned to 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...
. After the transfer to Bastia fell through, Popović then joined Osijek
NK Osijek
NK Osijek is a Croatian football club, from Osijek in eastern Croatia.- History :NK Osijek's early roots are found in club called NK Udarnik that was formed in 1945 under FPR Yugoslavia's new communist authorities on the ashes of dissolved HŠK Slavija...
where he played in only eleven matches before his tragic death in a road accident in the evening of 23 October 2002.
Club career
Popović began his football career in the youth squad of the local club Dunav. As a 15-year-old boy he played for the clubs first team in the regional league, scoring eight goals in 30 appearances. In 1998, Vukovar '91 youth coach Ivica Radoš recognized his talent and brought him to the clubs youth team. Three years later, while Vukovar '91 was playing in the Druga HNL, Radoš was appointed as manager and promoted Popović to the first team. Although some believed he was putting too much pressure on the young player, his decision payed off after Popović scored eleven goals in 14 appearances during the second part of 2000–01 Druga HNL2000–01 Druga HNL
The 2000–01 Druga HNL was the 10th season of Druga HNL, the second level league in Croatian football. The format of the league was unchanged from the 1999–2000 season...
season. His performances drew attention to a number of first division clubs, but the club decided to keep him. In the first part of the 2001–02 Druga HNL season Popović scored 22 goals in 15 appearances, which brought him the top scorer title even though he didn't played a single game in the spring. He also played and scored both goals in a 4–2 defeat in the first round of the 2001–02 Croatian Cup
2001–02 Croatian Cup
The 2001–02 Croatian Cup was the eleventh edition of Croatia's football knockout competition. Dinamo Zagreb were the defending champions, who retained the title beating Varteks in the final.-Calendar:-Preliminary round:-First round:-Second round:...
game against Rijeka. In January 2002, Popović joined 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...
on a six-month loan until the end of the season. After an unsuccessful period in Bastia where he was featured in only one game coming in as a substitute, Popović joined Osijek
NK Osijek
NK Osijek is a Croatian football club, from Osijek in eastern Croatia.- History :NK Osijek's early roots are found in club called NK Udarnik that was formed in 1945 under FPR Yugoslavia's new communist authorities on the ashes of dissolved HŠK Slavija...
in summer 2002. He made 11 appearances for Osijek and scored 4 goals, the final one just four days before his death.
International career
Popović won two caps for Croatia under-21 teamCroatia national under-21 football team
The Croatia national under-21 football team, also known as Croatia under-21 or Croatia U21 is a youth association football national team which represents Croatia at this age level and is a feeder team for the Croatia national football team....
, making his debut on 7 May 2002 in a friendly match against Hungary
Hungary national under-21 football team
The Hungary national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team for Hungary and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Hungarian Under-21 team was formed...
in Zaprešić, and scoring the second goal in a 2–0 victory. His second appearance came against Estonia
Estonia national under-21 football team
The Estonian U-21 national football team is the football team representing Estonia in competitions for under-21 year old players.-2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 5:-Current table:-Fixtures and recent results:...
in the first round of qualifiers
2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Group 8
The teams competing in Group 8 of the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Championships qualifying competition were Belgium, Croatia, Bulgaria and Estonia.-Standings:-Matches:All times are CET.---------------------Goalscorers:...
for the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
UEFA U-21 Championship 2004 was the 14th staging of UEFA's European Under-21 Football Championship. The final tournament was hosted by Germany between 27 May and 8 June 2004.Italy U-21s won the competition for the fifth time...
when he also found the net from the penalty spot.
Death
In the evening of 23 October 2002, at the age of 20, Popović was killed in a road accident that occurred in Borovo, on the state road connecting Vukovar and Dalj. Popović, who was rushing to his childhood home to watch a Champions League match, lost control over his Golf at high speed and the vehicle hit a light pole. He died instantly, while his 18-year-old friend who was traveling along with him was seriously hurt. According to the police report, Popović didn't have a driver's license.He was buried three days later at the local cemetery in Dalj
Dalj
Dalj is a village on the Danube in eastern Croatia, near the confluence of the Drava and Danube, on the border with Serbia. It is connected with the D519 highway and administratively located in the municipality of Erdut, Osijek-Baranja County.-References:...
.
External links
- Danijel Popović at Transfermarkt.de