Valeri Popovitch Explained

Valeri Popovitch
Fullname:Valeri Aleksandrovich Popovitch
Birth Date:18 May 1970
Birth Place:Gorky, USSR
Position:Striker, Attacking midfielder
Years1:1986
Caps1:3
Goals1:1
Clubs1:Khimik Dzerzhinsk
Years2:1987
Caps2:3
Goals2:0
Clubs2:Lokomotiv Gorky
Years3:1988–1989
Caps3:25
Goals3:0
Clubs3:CSKA Moscow
Years4:1990–1991
Caps4:10
Goals4:0
Clubs4:Spartak Moscow
Years5:1992–1993
Caps5:48
Goals5:26
Clubs5:TPV
Years6:1994
Caps6:12
Goals6:3
Clubs6:Ilves
Years7:1994–2008
Caps7:323
Goals7:170
Clubs7:Haka
Years8:1995–1996
Caps8:6
Goals8:3
Clubs8:Ikast (loan)
Years9:1999–2000
Caps9:18
Goals9:6
Clubs9:Heerenveen (loan)
Years10:2009
Caps10:16
Goals10:3
Clubs10:HJK
Years11:2010–2012
Caps11:?
Goals11:?
Nationalteam1:USSR U-17
Nationalteam2:USSR U-19
Manageryears1:2010–2012
Managerclubs1:Ilves (player-coach)
Manageryears2:2012
Managerclubs2:Haka (youth coach)

Valeri Aleksandrovich Popovitch (Russian: Валерий Александрович Попович; born 18 May 1970) is a Russian former football forward.[1] Popovitch is the all-time scoring leader of FC Haka. After his contract ended with HJK in 2010, he joined Ilves Tampere playing in Kakkonen, as a player-coach, signing a two-year contract. Currently he is a youth coach at FC Haka. Popovitch also holds the Finnish citizenship.

He has also capped several times for Soviet U-17 and U-19 National football teams. U-17 finished third in the 1986 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, and U-19 won the UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship in 1988. Popovitch played in both tournaments.

Popovitch played for FC CSKA Moscow in Soviet First League and FC Spartak Moscow in the Soviet Top League.[2]

Legacy

Popovitch holds a legendary status in Finland and especially in Valkeakoski, where his regarded as one of the best players ever to play for FC Haka. FC Haka retired his number, 14.

His son Anton Popovitch is also a professional footballer, currently playing for Ilves.

Notes and References

  1. https://www.eurosport.ru/football/story_sto5968161.shtml Interview with Valeri Popovitch
  2. Web site: KLISF. Popovich Valeriy Aleksandrovich. 2010-03-30.