Ivan Knez
Encyclopedia
Iván Knez is an Argentine
-Swiss
former footballer who played as a defender
during the 1990s and 2000s.
Although he was born in Argentina
, Knez was raised in Switzerland
started playing football in the youth movement of the local club SC Emmen. He began his professional career with FC Lucerne
in 1994.
After five years at the club, he moved to FC Basel
in 1999. Knez played as Centre-Back
together with Oliver Kreuzer
. FC Basel reached the final of the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup, but they lost to Aston Villa
. Knez helped the club win The Double
during the 2001/02 season.
In August 2002, he signed for Austrian side SK Rapid Wien
but returned to Switzerland
a year later with BSC Young Boys
. He then headed off to Germany's second division
for FC Augsburg
and he retired in the Summer of 2007.
Basel
Augsburg
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
-Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
former footballer who played as a 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....
during the 1990s and 2000s.
Although he was born in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Knez was raised in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
started playing football in the youth movement of the local club SC Emmen. He began his professional career with FC Lucerne
FC Lucerne
FC Luzern is a Swiss football club, founded in 1901. The club colors are blue and white, derived from the Canton of Lucerne and the City of Lucerne coats of arms.- History :...
in 1994.
After five years at the club, he moved to FC Basel
FC Basel
Fussball Club Basel 1893, widely known as FC Basel is a Swiss football club based in Basel. They are one of the most successful clubs in Swiss football, having won the Swiss Super League 14 times, the third most for any Swiss club. They were most successful in the late 1960s and 1970s, winning the...
in 1999. Knez played as Centre-Back
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....
together with Oliver Kreuzer
Oliver Kreuzer
Oliver Kreuzer is a German former footballer who played as a defender for Karlsruher SC, FC Bayern Munich and FC Basel.-Football career:...
. FC Basel reached the final of the 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup, but they lost to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. Knez helped the club win The Double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
during the 2001/02 season.
In August 2002, he signed for Austrian side SK Rapid Wien
SK Rapid Wien
The Sportklub Rapid Wien is an Austrian football club playing in the country's capital city of Vienna. Rapid is the most popular club in Austria and also record title holder having won the Austrian national football title 32 times...
but returned to Switzerland
Swiss Super League
The Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
a year later with BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
. He then headed off to Germany's second division
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
for FC Augsburg
FC Augsburg
FC Augsburg is a German football club based in Augsburg, Bavaria. The team was founded as Fußball-Klub Alemania Augsburg in 1907 and played as BC Augsburg from 1921 to 1969....
and he retired in the Summer of 2007.
Honours
Lucerne- Swiss Cup Runner-Up: 1
-
- 1997
Basel
- Swiss LeagueSwiss Super LeagueThe Swiss Super League or Axpo Super League is the top tier of the Swiss Football League. The Swiss Super League is currently ranked 16th according to UEFA's ranking of league coefficients, which is based upon Swiss team performances in European competitions.-Names:-Participating clubs:The teams...
Winner: 1
-
- 2002
- Swiss Cup Winner: 1
-
- 2002
Augsburg
- Schwaben CupSchwaben CupThe Schwaben Cup was a domestic cup competition in the Bavarian Regierungsbezirk of Swabia , played from 1947 to 2009.-Overview:...
Winner: 1
-
- 2005