Elin Topuzakov
Encyclopedia
Elin Topuzakov (born February 5, 1977) is a Bulgaria
n football
defender who is currently playing for Hapoel Ramat Gan. He is nicknamed Topcho . He is a sweeper or center back. Topuzakov also used to be a regular start-up for the Bulgarian national football team.
's Youth Academy between 1990 and 1994. He played as a striker.
in January 1996. There he was qualified as a defender. Topuzakov was among the few players who have won three consecutive titles for Levski (in 2000, 2001 and 2002). With Levski Sofia he reached 1/4 finals of UEFA Cup
in 2005-06
. Next season, Levski Sofia with Topuzakov, reached the group-stage of UEFA Champions League
, becoming the first Bulgarian team that reached the groups. Between 2005 and 2008 he was the captain of the team.
. They signed their official contacts with Haopel on 7 January 2008. Topuzakov chose to play with kit number 5. Both Topuzakov and Telkiyski made their debut for Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. on 12 January 2008 against Hapoel Kfar Saba, in a 2-1 defeat. In 2008 he won the Fan's player of the year award with his teammate Dimitar Telkiyski. After 2008-2009 season end, Topuzakov became a free-agent.
During 2009/2010 season, the Levski's team started their European campaign with 9:0 (on aggregate) in the second Qualifying round of Champions League against UE Sant Julià
. Topuzakov re-debut for Levski on 21 July 2009 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 the next round, Levski Sofia faced FK Baku
. The blues eliminated the team from Azerbaijan
with 2:0 (on aggregate). In the play-off round Levski was eliminated by Debreceni VSC
with 4:1 (on aggregate). However, Levski qualified for UEFA Europa League.
In 2009/2010 season, after couple of bad games and results, Levski however achieved qualifying for UEFA Europa League becoming 3rd in the final ranking.
once again go to Israel, to join Hapoel Ramat Gan.
1999-00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2006–07 Bulgarian Cup
1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 Bulgarian Supercup
2005, 2007, 2009 UEFA Cup 2005-06
: 1/4 finals UEFA Champions League 2006-07
: Group-stage Fan's player of the year award 2008
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 football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
defender who is currently playing for Hapoel Ramat Gan. He is nicknamed Topcho . He is a sweeper or center back. Topuzakov also used to be a regular start-up for the Bulgarian national football team.
Youth career
Elin developed his abilities in F.C. DimitrovgradF.C. Dimitrovgrad
Football Club Dimitrovgrad are a Bulgarian association football club based in Dimitrovgrad, Haskovo Province, currently playing in the V AFG, the third level of Bulgarian football....
's Youth Academy between 1990 and 1994. He played as a striker.
Levski Sofia - 1st spell
Topuzakov joined PFC 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...
in January 1996. There he was qualified as a defender. Topuzakov was among the few players who have won three consecutive titles for Levski (in 2000, 2001 and 2002). With Levski Sofia 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 Topuzakov, 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. Between 2005 and 2008 he was the captain of the team.
Hapoel Tel Aviv
On 3 January 2008 Levski and Hapoel Tel Aviv agreed on the transfers of Elin Topuzakov and Dimitar TelkiyskiDimitar Telkiyski
Dimitar Telkiyski is a Bulgarian football player who currently plays for Lokomotiv Sofia. His nickname is Mecho or in , was given to him by the Botev Plovdiv supporters.-Botev Plovdiv:...
. They signed their official contacts with Haopel on 7 January 2008. Topuzakov chose to play with kit number 5. Both Topuzakov and Telkiyski made their debut for Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. on 12 January 2008 against Hapoel Kfar Saba, in a 2-1 defeat. In 2008 he won the Fan's player of the year award with his teammate Dimitar Telkiyski. After 2008-2009 season end, Topuzakov became a free-agent.
Levski Sofia - 2nd spell
On 5 July 2009, Topuzakov returned Levski Sofia. Elin signed a 2-years contract. He took number 11, which at that time was worn by Georgi Hristov, but Hristov stepped it back to Topuzakov.During 2009/2010 season, the Levski's team started their European campaign with 9:0 (on aggregate) in the second Qualifying round of Champions League against 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....
. Topuzakov re-debut for Levski on 21 July 2009 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 the next round, Levski Sofia faced FK Baku
FK Baku
Football Club Baku is an Azerbaijani football club in Baku, Azerbaijan. The club sponsored by the Baghlan Group Company and ZQAN Holding.FC Baku plays in the Azerbaijan Premier League and have won two Azerbaijan Premier League championships and two Azerbaijan Cups.-History:FC Baku was founded in...
. The blues eliminated the team from Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
with 2:0 (on aggregate). In the play-off round Levski was eliminated by Debreceni VSC
Debreceni VSC
Debreceni VSC or just Debrecen or DVSC is a football club from the city of Debrecen in Hungary. They are best known for reaching the group stages of the UEFA Champions League 2009–10 season. Debreceni VSC has been the most successful Hungarian club since 2000. The club has won the Hungarian...
with 4:1 (on aggregate). However, Levski qualified for UEFA Europa League.
In 2009/2010 season, after couple of bad games and results, Levski however achieved qualifying for UEFA Europa League becoming 3rd in the final ranking.
Hapoel Ramat Gan Giv'atayim
On 10 August 2010 he and his teammate Dimitar TelkiyskiDimitar Telkiyski
Dimitar Telkiyski is a Bulgarian football player who currently plays for Lokomotiv Sofia. His nickname is Mecho or in , was given to him by the Botev Plovdiv supporters.-Botev Plovdiv:...
once again go to Israel, to join Hapoel Ramat Gan.
Playing style
Topuzakov has started his career as a striker, but later he was converted to a right defender. After a couple of months, he started playing as a central defender. His variety of playing skills makes him one of the most frequently scoring defenders that have ever played for Levski Sofia. Topuzakov is famous for his sliding tackles.Awards
Bulgarian ChampionshipBulgarian Professional Football League
The Bulgarian Professional Football League or BPFL organizes the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, Bulgarian B Professional Football Group and the Bulgarian Cup tournaments. It unifies the Bulgarian professional football clubs....
1999-00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2006–07 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....
1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 Bulgarian Supercup
Bulgarian Supercup
The 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 UEFA Cup 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...
: 1/4 finals UEFA Champions League 2006-07
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...
: Group-stage Fan's player of the year award 2008
External links
- Stats at National Football Teams
- Topuzakov returns Levski
- Topuzakov at Levski's site