Ivica Olić

Ivica Olić

Olić with VFL Wolfsburg in 2014
Personal information
Full name Ivica Olić[1]
Date of birth (1979-09-14) 14 September 1979
Place of birth Davor, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current team
 1860 Munich
Number 40
Youth career
Posavac Davor
Marsonia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1998 Marsonia 42 (17)
1998–2000 Hertha BSC II 30 (10)
1998–2000 Hertha BSC 2 (0)
2000–2001 Marsonia 42 (21)
2001–2002 NK Zagreb 28 (21)
2002–2003 Dinamo Zagreb 27 (16)
2003–2007 CSKA Moscow 78 (35)
2007–2009 Hamburger SV 78 (29)
2009–2012 Bayern Munich 55 (13)
2012–2015 VfL Wolfsburg 78 (28)
2015–2016 Hamburger SV 25 (2)
2016– 1860 Munich 1 (0)
National team
1996 Croatia U17 3 (0)
1997 Croatia U18 1 (0)
1997–1998 Croatia U19 9 (1)
1998 Croatia U20 1 (0)
2000–2001 Croatia U21 6 (2)
2002–2015 Croatia 104 (20)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 03:28, 8 August 2016 (UTC).


Ivica Olić (pronounced [îʋitsa ǒːlitɕ]; born 14 September 1979) is a Croatian professional footballer who plays for German club TSV 1860 Munich.[3] During his career, he played for German Bundesliga clubs such as Hamburger SV, Vfl Wolfsburg, and Bayern Munich and also for the Croatian national team. Olić primarily played as a striker, but could also operate as a winger. He was described as a relentless pursuer of the ball and possessing "power and a decent bit of pace with him." Former Croatia manager Slaven Bilić described him as a typical "match-winner" and "king of important matches" due to his ability to score in important matches against big opponents.[4]

Named the Croatian Footballer of the Year in 2009 and 2010, Olić appeared with Bayern Munich in two UEFA Champions League finals in 2010 and 2012. He represented his country in three FIFA World Cups, 2002, 2006, and 2014, and two UEFA European Championships, in 2004 and 2008, earning his 100th cap on 16 November 2014, before retiring from international football in 2015.

Club career

Early career

Olić was born and raised in the village of Davor near Slavonski Brod, Croatia. He started playing football for the local club NK Marsonia in 1996, and spent two good seasons there, before he was acquired by German club Hertha BSC in 1998. He did not see much play there and returned to Marsonia the following year, where he earned promotion to the top flight after winning the Croatian Second League with his team.

After another successful season at Marsonia, in the 2000–01 season, he scored 17 goals in 29 games – in 2001, he moved to NK Zagreb, where he scored 21 goals in 28 appearances and helped his team win the league. The following season, he moved to Dinamo Zagreb, where he scored 16 goals in 27 games, and became the best striker in the Croatian First League.

Olić with HSV.

CSKA Moscow

In 2003, Olić was acquired by CSKA Moscow. His form rose gradually, and in the 2005 season, he contributed with ten goals in twice as many games. With CSKA Moscow, he won the UEFA Cup in 2005, the Russian Premier League three times (in 2003, 2005, and 2006), the Russian Cup twice (in 2005 and 2006), and twice the Russian Super Cup (2004 and 2006).

After winning the UEFA Cup Olić was awarded with the Order of Friendship by the Russian Federation.[5]

Hamburger SV

In January 2007, Olić moved to Hamburger SV, playing his first Bundesliga game with them against Energie Cottbus on 31 January.[6] He was signed because Hamburg were in deep trouble, finishing in the relegation zone before the winter break. It worked out in the end, and Hamburg finished seventh, which even acquired them an Intertoto Cup place, which they eventually won. He scored two goals in the last match in the 2006–07 Bundesliga season against Alemannia Aachen in a 4–0 win. In October 2007, Olić scored a hat-trick in the Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart, which Hamburg won 4–1.[7] He was the first player in the club's history to score three successive goals in one half.

Olić effectively won the 2008 Emirates Cup for Hamburg, with two injury time goals against Juventus, increasing the team's points tally to an unassailable level (due to the points-for-goals system).[8] He endeared himself to Hamburg fans for his commitment and consistent work rate on the pitch. In his last game for the north German club, he sported a T-shirt with the words, "Danke fans" ("Thank you, fans") written on it, as he bid farewell to the fans.

Bayern Munich

Olić with Bayern.

On 3 January 2009, Olić signed a three-year contract with Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich. He joined the club on a free transfer on 1 July 2009.[9] Initially, he was supposed to be back-up to the likes of Miroslav Klose and Mario Gómez, but due to injury and fitness issues, he began to be preferred as the clubs first choice. On 8 August, his Bayern debut, he scored the opening goal against 1899 Hoffenheim in a 1–1 draw and soon became a favourite with the Bayern fans. He reached new heights upon scoring a crucial goal in the 2010 Champions League quarter-final (first leg) against Manchester United in injury time, to give Bayern a slender 2–1 lead.[10] He also scored the first goal in the second leg for his team, but they trailed 3–1. The game ended 3–2. Bayern, however, won on away goals.[11] He scored his first hat-trick for the Bavarians against Lyon, scoring with his left foot, right foot, and his head, in the Champions League semi-final second leg on 27 April 2010.[12] The victory against Lyon secured his team a place in the final against Internazionale, which they eventually lost 2–0. Olić played his final game for Bayern in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final against Chelsea, in which he came on as a 97th-minute substitute for the injured Franck Ribéry. Bayern eventually lost the game in a penalty shootout when the game ended 1–1 after extra time. Olić missed the team's fourth penalty, as they lost the shootout 4–3.

VfL Wolfsburg

Olić signed for VfL Wolfsburg at the start of the 2012–13 season.[13] He scored his first Bundesliga goal for Wolfsburg against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, and he netted another one against Fortuna Düsseldorf. He started the season with a hat-trick against Schönberg 95 in the 2012–13 DFB-Pokal. He scored another goal in the quarter-final match of the DFB-Pokal against Kickers Offenbach on 26 February 2013, as Wolfsburg secured a spot in the semi-finals. He produced an "acrobatic overhead kick" to score the first of his two goals in a 5–2 win against SC Freiburg in March 2013.[14] He finished the season as first-choice striker for the club, with 15 goals and recording six assists. On 24 April 2014, Olić signed a new two-year deal with the German side.[15] In the opening match of the 2014–15 Bundesliga season, he scored a spectacular goal against his former club Bayern Munich.[16]

Return to Hamburger SV

Olić returned to Hamburger SV on 30 January 2015 after signing an 18-month contract for an undisclosed fee.[17] He was given kit number 8, but at the end of the 2014–15 season, Ivo Iličević changed his kit number from 11 to 7, prompting Olić to reclaim number 11, which he had worn previously at both Bayern and Wolfsburg, and also in his first spell at Hamburg.[18]

TSV 1860 Munich

On 26 July 2016, Olić penned a one year deal with 2. Bundesliga side TSV 1860 Munich.[3]

International career

Olić was part of the Croatian national team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he played in two games and scored one important goal against Italy in a match that ended 2–1 for Croatia.[19] Shortly after scoring, Olić revealed a picture of his newly born child at the time under his jersey. He was remembered as being unable to put his jersey back on, as the material became tangled in the excitement during his celebration. Olić also played three games for Croatia at Euro 2004 and two games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

In September 2006, Olić was dropped from the Croatian squad for a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match for one game, due to a late-night partying binge together with Darijo Srna and Boško Balaban.[20] He was named man of the match in the very last qualifier of their group, in which Croatia defeated England 3–2 at Wembley Stadium.[21] He was named in Croatia's 23-man squad for the final tournament, and scored in their second Group B match against Germany to give the Croats a 2–1 shock win over the pre-tournament favourites.[22]

Olić was recalled to the side for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. He contributed with three goals in eight games, but Croatia missed out on a play-off spot by a point. Olić was injured in a friendly match against Norway, which was the cause of his last-moment absence in UEFA Euro 2012. On 22 March 2013, Olić scored his first goal since November 2011 and assisted Mario Mandžukić in a qualifier for the 2014 World Cup against Serbia. In the opening game of the finals, on 12 June, his left-wing cross led to the first goal of the tournament, deflected into his own net by Marcelo of Brazil.[23] In the second group game against Cameroon on 18 June, Olić opened the scoring in the 11th minute for an eventual 4–0 win.[24] It was his first goal after 12 years in the World Cup, a difference only previously matched by Denmark's Michael Laudrup, and with this goal he became his country's oldest World Cup goal-scorer.[25]

On 16 November 2014, in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Italy at the San Siro, Olić earned his 100th cap in a 1–1 draw.[26] On 2 March 2016, Olić retired from international football in an open letter to the public.[27] He scored 20 goals in 104 caps for his country.

Personal life

Olić and his wife, Natalia, have two sons and a daughter, named Luka, Antonio, and Lara, respectively.[28] Unlike many of his counterparts, he prefers to keep a low media profile and generally lives a quiet private life.[29]

Career statistics

Club

As of 28 November 2016.
ClubSeasonLeagueCup1Continental2Other3TotalRef.
LeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Marsonia1996–97Prva HNL90—
1997–98Druga HNL249
1998–99Treća HNL98
Totals4217 —4217—
Hertha BSC1998–99Bundesliga2010—30[30]
Marsonia1999–2000Druga HNL134
2000–01Prva HNL2917
Totals4221 —4221—
Marsonia total8438 —8438—
Zagreb2001–02Prva HNL2821
Dinamo Zagreb2002–0327164310
CSKA Moscow2003Premier League1072100—128[31]
200424931150104310[31]
200520105100—2511[31]
20062495283103814[31]
Totals78351552332011843—
Hamburg2006–07Bundesliga1550000—155[31]
2007–083214421425018[31]
2008–093110561495025[32]
Totals7829982811—11548—
Bayern Munich2009–10Bundesliga291121107—4119[33]
2010–1160102010100[31]
2011–122024052—294[34]
Totals551371179108023—
Wolfsburg2012–13Bundesliga32954——3713[35]
2013–143214513715[36]
2014–151451050205[31]
Totals782811550—9433—
Hamburg2014–15Bundesliga16200—20182[31]
2015–169011—101[37]
Totals25211—20283—
Hamburg total1033110928112014351—
1860 Munich2016–172. Bundesliga11310—123[31]
Career totals4661854520772660594231—

International

As of 2 March 2016.[38]
Croatia national team
YearAppsGoals
200292
200392
2004102
200540
2006100
200783
2008122
200962
201051
201131
201240
201391
2014113
201541
Total10420

International goals

Scores and results list Croatia's goal tally first.[39]
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
01. 17 April 2002 Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb, Croatia  Bosnia and Herzegovina
1 – 0
2 – 0
 Friendly
02. 8 June 2002 Kashima Soccer Stadium, Kashima, Japan  Italy
1 – 1
2 – 1
 2002 FIFA World Cup
03. 30 April 2003 Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden  Sweden
0 – 1
1 – 2
 Friendly
04. 11 October 2003 Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb, Croatia  Bulgaria
1 – 0
1 – 0
 UEFA Euro 2004 Qualifying
05. 29 May 2004 Kantrida Stadium, Rijeka, Croatia  Slovakia
1 – 0
1 – 0
 Friendly
06. 5 June 2004 Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark  Denmark
0 – 2
1 – 2
 Friendly
07. 16 October 2007 Kantrida Stadium, Rijeka, Croatia  Slovakia
1 – 0
3 – 0
 Friendly
08. 16 October 2007 Kantrida Stadium, Rijeka, Croatia  Slovakia
3 – 0
3 – 0
 Friendly
09. 21 November 2007 Wembley Stadium, London, England  England
0 – 2
2 – 3
 UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying
10. 12 June 2008 Hypo-Arena, Klagenfurt, Austria  Germany
2 – 0
2 – 1
 UEFA Euro 2008
11. 15 October 2008 Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb, Croatia  Andorra
2 – 0
4 – 0
 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
12. 12 August 2009 Dinamo Stadium, Minsk, Belarus  Belarus
0 – 1
1 – 3
 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
13. 12 August 2009 Dinamo Stadium, Minsk, Belarus  Belarus
1 – 3
1 – 3
 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
14. 3 September 2010 Skonto Stadium, Riga, Latvia  Latvia
0 – 2
0 – 3
 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
15. 11 November 2011 Türk Telekom Arena, Istanbul, Turkey  Turkey
0 – 1
0 – 3
 UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying
16. 22 March 2013 Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia  Serbia
2 – 0
2 – 0
 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
17. 5 March 2014 AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland   Switzerland
1 – 1
2 – 2
 Friendly
18. 5 March 2014 AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland   Switzerland
2 – 2
2 – 2
 Friendly
19. 18 June 2014 Arena da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil  Cameroon
1 – 0
4 – 0
 2014 FIFA World Cup
20. 28 March 2015 Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia  Norway
3 – 0
5 – 1
 UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying

Honours

Club

Marsonia
NK Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb
CSKA Moscow
HSV
Bayern Munich

Individual

Orders

References

  1. ↑ "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 11 June 2014. p. 12. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Ivica Olić". VFL Wolfsburg. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Prominente Verstärkung: Olic wird ein Löwe". kicker.de (in German). 26 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "Bilić šokiran zbog Olića: Ovo je užas i horor!" (in Croatian). tportal.hr. 4 June 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Putin dodijelio Ivici Oliću visoko rusko odličje". index.hr (in Croatian).
  6. ↑ "Tactical Formation". Football-Lineups.com. Retrieved 6 February 2007.
  7. ↑ "Olic-Hattrick beschert dem VfB ein Debakel" (in German). kicker. 20 October 2007.
  8. ↑ Saaid, Hamdan (14 August 2008). "Emirates Cup 2008". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "Olić set for summer switch to Bayern". UEFA. 4 January 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  10. ↑ "Ivica Olic winner for Bayern Munich sinks Manchester United". The Guardian. 31 March 2010.
  11. ↑ "Man Utd 3–2 Bayern Munich (agg 4–4)". BBC Sport. 7 April 2010.
  12. ↑ "Olić treble takes brilliant Bayern to Madrid". UEFA. 27 April 2010.
  13. ↑ "Die "Wölfe" holen Olic und buhlen um Giovinco". kicker (in German). 26 April 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  14. ↑ "Five-star Wolves sink Freiburg". Sky Sports. 9 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  15. ↑ "Olic staying on board". VfL Wolfsburg. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  16. ↑ "Ivica Olic's brilliant goal not enough as Wolfsburg lose to Bayern". Daily Mail. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "Ivica Olic: Hamburg sign Wolfsburg striker". BBC Sport. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  18. ↑ "Olic nach Abschied: "Ihr seid die besten Fans der Welt"" [Olic after farewell: "You're the best Fans in the world"] (in German). Hamburger Abendblatt. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  19. ↑ "Croatia punish Italy". BBC Sport. 8 June 2002.
  20. ↑ "Croatian trio expelled from squad". CNN. 4 September 2006. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  21. ↑ "Croats punish poor England". FIFA. 21 November 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  22. ↑ "Classy Croats stun Germany". FIFA. 12 June 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  23. ↑ "Brazil 3–1 Croatia". BBC Sport. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  24. ↑ "Croatia boost hopes, Cameroon bow out". FIFA. 19 June 2014.
  25. ↑ "Olic: Twelve years and still going strong". FIFA. 19 June 2014.
  26. ↑ "Italy cling on to hold Croatia". UEFA. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  27. ↑ "Ivica Olić više neće igrati za Hrvatsku: Pročitajte oproštajno pismo!". index.hr/sport (in Croatian). 2 March 2016.
  28. ↑ "Olic: Nothing's decided yet". FIFA. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  29. ↑ "Breitner lobt Olic: Ein Hochgenuss" (in German). Abendzeitung. 10 December 2009.
  30. ↑ "Ivica Olic". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Ivica Olić » Club matches". World Football. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  32. ↑ "Ivica Olic". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  33. ↑ "Ivica Olic". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  34. ↑ "Ivica Olic". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  35. ↑ "Ivica Olic". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  36. ↑ "Ivica Olic". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  37. ↑ "Ivica Olic". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  38. ↑ Ivica Olić at National-Football-Teams.com
  39. ↑ "Ivica Olić – Goals in International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  40. ↑ "Putin dodijelio Ivici Oliću visoko rusko odličje". index.hr (in Croatian). 18 December 2005. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ivica Olić.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.