Ivica Olic is a retired professional Croatian footballer who is now an assistant to the head coach of the Croatian national football team. During his career, he played as a striker in such top-rated clubs as Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg , Hamburger , CSKA and Dinamo Zagreb . In the period from 2002 to 2015, he regularly appeared in the Croatian national team. Since 1996, he began playing for the youth squads of the national team (he passed all age categories).
Noteworthy Achievements
During his career he won 15 trophies. Ivica Olic is the three-time champion of the Russian Premier League, the holder of the UEFA Cup (CSKA), the champion of Germany (Bayern Munich) and the champion of Croatia (Dynamo Zagreb). Named the best Croatian footballer in 2009 and 2010. The height of the ex-football player is 182 centimeters, weight - 58 kg.
Biography
Ivica Olic was born on September 14, 1979 in Davor (Socialist Republic of Croatia). From childhood he began to get involved in football. At the age of six, his parents took him to the football section. Until 1996, he performed at such youth clubs as Poshavak Davor and Marsonia. He made his debut in the professional league as part of the Marsonia club in 1996.
In the period from 1998 to 2003, he performed at such clubs as Hertha Berlin, Zagreb and Dynamo Zagreb. As part of the last two, he became the champion of Croatia.
Career at Moscow CSKA
In 2003, Ivica Olić, whose statistics in the Croatian championship was amazing, moved to Moscow CSKA. It was here that the Croatian striker revealed himself fully as a talented footballer. The years spent with the “army team” were marked by many victories - a three-time championship in the Russian championship, a victory in the UEFA Cup, as well as 2 Russian cups and 2 Russian Super Cup. From 2003 to 2007 he played for the “red-blue” in 73 matches and scored 38 goals.
Career at Bayern Munich
No less remarkable were the years spent with Munich Bavaria. In the period from 2009 to 2012, a victory was achieved in the German championship, as well as the German Cup and Super Cup. The Croatian striker was originally acquired as a backup player for Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez. However, due to long-term injuries, Olic turned into a key player from the current leaders. In total, he played 80 matches for the Bavarians (in all possible competitions) and scored 23 goals.
Retirement and Coaching
The season 2016/2017 was the last in the career of the Croatian striker. As a player in the Munich 1860 club, Ivica Olić announced his retirement from sports.
In October 2017, he became a member of the coaching staff of the Croatian national football team.
Performances at the international level
Ivica Olić has been a regular player of the Croatian national team since 2002. At the 2002 World Cup he took part in 2 fights, in one of which he scored an important goal against the Italian team. In subsequent years, he took part in all international tournaments (until 2015). At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he scored a goal against Cameroon.
In November 2007, Olic phenomenally played against England, scoring an important goal against them. In this match, Ivica demonstrated all his best football qualities. The loss of the British ensured that the Russian team got into the final stage of Euro 2008.