Full name Elin Kalinov Topuzakov Years Team Position Defender Height 1.80 m | Role Football player Name Elin Topuzakov | |
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Date of birth (1977-02-05) 5 February 1977 (age 38) Number 5 (Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. / Defender) | ||
Playing position | ||
Elin topuzakov
Elin Kalinov Topuzakov (Bulgarian: Елин Калинов Топузаков; born 5 February 1977 in Dimitrovgrad) is a former Bulgarian football defender and now manager of Bulgarian side Arda Kardzali.
Contents
- Elin topuzakov
- Thank you for the memories
- Youth career
- Levski Sofia 1st spell
- Hapoel Tel Aviv
- Levski Sofia 2nd spell
- Hapoel Ramat Gan Givatayim
- Managerial career
- Playing style
- Personal life
- Notable achievements
- Awards
- References
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.
Thank you for the memories!
Youth career
Elin developed his abilities in F.C. Dimitrovgrad's Youth Academy between 1990 and 1994. He played as a striker.
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). 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.
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).
On 16 June 2017 he was announced as the new manager of Arda Kardzhali, following PSI Group's acquisition of the club.
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.
Personal life
Topuzakov is married to Bulgarian model Vesela Toteva. He has appeared on the popular Slavi's Show.
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. 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.