Elin Topuzakov

Elin Topuzakov
Personal information
Full name Elin Kalinov Topuzakov
Date of birth (1977-02-05) 5 February 1977
Place of birth Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Centre-back
Club information
Current team
 Levski Sofia (caretaker)
Youth career
1987–1994 Dimitrovgrad
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1995–2008 Levski Sofia 220 (19)
1999 → Pirin (loan) 14 (2)
2008–2009 Hapoel Tel Aviv 43 (1)
2009–2010 Levski Sofia 13 (0)
2010–2011 Hapoel Ramat Gan 25 (2)
Total 321 (24)
National team
2000–2008 Bulgaria 27 (0)
Teams managed
2013–2014 Levski Sofia (assistant manager)
2014 Levski Sofia (caretaker)
2014–2016 Levski Sofia (assistant manager)
2016– Levski Sofia

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12 April 2013.


Elin Kalinov Topuzakov (Bulgarian: Елин Калинов Топузаков; born 5 February 1977 in Dimitrovgrad) is a former Bulgarian football defender and assistant manager of Bulgarian side Levski Sofia. He is nicknamed Balls (Bulgarian: Топчо) because of his last name. In his career he played as a sweeper or center back. Topuzakov also used to be a regular start-up for the Bulgarian national football team.

Career

Youth career

Elin developed his abilities in F.C. Dimitrovgrad's Youth Academy between 1990 and 1994. He played as a striker.[1]

Levski Sofia – 1st spell

Topuzakov joined PFC Levski Sofia 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).[2] 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.

Hapoel Tel Aviv

On 3 January 2008 Levski and Hapoel Tel Aviv agreed on the transfers of Elin Topuzakov and Dimitar Telkiyski. They signed their official contacts with Hapoel 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. 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.

Hapoel Ramat Gan Givatayim

On 10 August 2010 he and his teammate Dimitar Telkiyski once again relocated 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.

Notable achievements

Topuzakov is part of an exclusive list of players with over 20 appearances in The Eternal Derby of Bulgaria - he has participated in 23 league editions of the rivalry.[3] He was also the Bulgarian player with the most appearances in European competitions until his record was surpassed by former teammate Hristo Yovov on 19 July 2012 - in Levski Sofia's 1–0 home win over Bosnian club FK Sarajevo in a UEFA Europa League match.[4]

Managerial career

In March 2014, Topuzakov was unveiled as the new manager of Levski Sofia when Antoni Zdravkov stepped down (mainly due to health reasons).[5]

Personal life

Topuzakov is married to Bulgarian model Vesela Toteva.[6] He has appeared on the popular Slavi's Show.

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Топузаков пише книга за кариерата си, aвтобиографията на бранителя ще излезе догодина". topsport.bg. 2006-11-10. Retrieved 2013-11-22.
  2. ↑ "Състезателен профил на Елин Калинов Топузаков (Топчо)". levskisofia.info. 2014. Retrieved 2015-01-14.
  3. ↑ "Янчев влиза в Топ 10 на Вечното дерби, водач в класацията е Иван Колев (ЦСКА) с 27". topsport.bg. 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  4. ↑ "Йовов стана играчът с най-много участия за български отбори в евротурнирите" (in Bulgarian). stigabe.com. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  5. ↑ "Топузаков няма да разчита на Ангел Славков, треньорът се върна при юношите". topsport.bg. 2014-03-21. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
  6. ↑ "Топузаков ще става баща, запазват в тайна пола на бебето". topsport.bg. 2013-10-10. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
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