UEFA : FYROM's Babunski clan keeping it in the family
Published: Monday 18 November 2013, 9.10CET
"Football does marvellous things," said David Babunski after playing with his brother for a Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia U21 side coached by father Boban.
Football does marvellous things, doesn't it?"
reflected David Babunski after featuring for the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia in a UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier on Friday.
The hosts had just beaten
Azerbaijan 1-0, but that was not what made the encounter so special.
Instead, history was written in Skopje as the 19-year-old and brother Dorian
appeared together in a lineup coached by their own father Boban – the first
ever father-son combination in an international for the Balkan nation.
"We played a really great match and won,"
explained David, speaking with his fellow family members in the mixed zone
after the game. "A few years ago, football was the reason we were apart as
a family, but now it's the reason we're together again and that's made us very
happy."
The Babunski siblings have already followed a fascinating
trajectory. The sons of former Yugoslavia and FYROM defender Boban initially
played together at youth level, first for UDA Gramenet and then UE Cornellà,
but in 2011 they went their separate ways, David joining FC Barcelona's youth
academy and Dorian their arch-rivals Real Madrid CF. In the meantime, Boban
returned to FYROM to start his coaching career.
To be reunited against Azerbaijan was thus an
understandably thrilling experience. "Growing up, it was always my dream
to play together with my brother for our country, and with our father coaching
us," said Dorian, two years younger than David at 17. "I'm delighted
that the dream became a reality."
It was by no means the only dream to come true for the
brothers this year either. In July, David was promoted to Barcelona's B team,
and the following month the attacking midfielder – noted for his technique,
vision and a killer pass – made his senior international debut as FYROM
defeated Bulgaria 2-0 in Skopje. As for Dorian, a striker equally comfortable with
both feet as well as in the air, he made his U21 bow against Norway in June,
before signing a contract with Real Madrid's B team in September.
The Babunski clan have clearly come a long way since
Boban first started out in football in 1986, making his debut for Skopje's FK
Vardar at the age of 18. Part of Vardar's 'golden generation', the centre-back
also turned out for the likes of AEK Athens FC, PFC CSKA Sofia, UE Lleida, CD
Logroñés and Gamba Osaka. He then turned to coaching, heading FYROM's senior
side in an interim capacity in 2005, before being appointed U21 boss in 2009.
"When I called David and Dorian up for the games
against Azerbaijan and Norway, I was aware that I was taking a big risk, but in
the end I was pleased with the whole team, including my sons," explained
the 45-year-old. "I've not been able to follow their every match for their
clubs of late, so the way they played against Azerbaijan was a pleasant
surprise even for me."
Of course, if the day comes when David and Dorian both
contest a Clásico for their Spanish outfits, Boban "would not miss it for
anything in the world". As for which team he would be rooting for, that is
a little trickier to answer. "I just recently wondered how I would react
if that happens. As their parent, it wouldn't be important for me who wins or
loses, but I'd want both of them to play to the best of their ability and give
their all on the pitch, just like they always do."
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