Boris Živković (Croatian pronunciation: [ˈbɔris ˈʒifkɔʋitɕ]; born 15 November 1975 in Živinice, Bosnia and Herzegovina) is a former Croatian football player. He played as a defender and through career he played all defending positions. He played as right and left full back and centre back. At one point of his career he even played as defensive midfielder.

Živković started his career at FK Sarajevo as a youth player, before being signed by NK Marsonia (from Slavonski Brod). He gained a good reputation at Marsonia, first appearing in the 1994/95 season, during which he made 13 appearances. The next season he played a further 31 games before transferring to NK Hrvatski Dragovoljac (from Siget, Zagreb). He only spent one season at his new club however, before impressive performances persuaded German club Bayer Leverkusen to sign him.

Živković went on to play 6 seasons for the German club, playing over 150 times, including the 2002 UEFA Champions League Final. Following his contract expiring in the summer of 2003, Živković stated his desire to play in the English FA Premier League, and was signed later that summer by Portsmouth F.C.

Živković started his Pompey career well, instantly claiming a regular starting place. However, in December, a public fall-out with manager Harry Redknapp led to him being released, having played only 18 times for the club. VfB Stuttgart stepped in to bring Živković back to Germany, and the Croatian joined them in January. In August 2006 he moved to Hajduk Split.^[1]

Živković was a regular for the Croatian national team, making 39 appearances and scoring twice.^[2] He was part of the squad at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but in his first game against Mexico, he caused a penalty in the 59th minute after which he was sent off and the Mexicans went on to score from the penalty mark and win the game by 1-0. He was no longer in the team for the remaining two games Croatia played on the tournament before being relegated — Italy and Mexico progressed from the group to the playoffs instead.

He also played two games at Euro 2004. Boris was out of favour for the Zlatko Kranjčar's World Cup 2006 campaign but many defender injuries forced Slaven Bilić to give him a call for the Euro 2008 spring qualifying games.

  International goals

Goal	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	13 November 2001	Gwangju, Gwangju	South Korea	1 – 1	1 – 1	Friendly
2	30 April 2003	Råsunda, Stockholm	Sweden	2 – 1	2 – 1	Friendly

  References

  External links

• Boris Živković – FIFA competition record
• Boris Živković at National-Football-Teams.com
• Boris Živković international stats at the Croatian Football Federation website

Croatia squad – 2002 FIFA World Cup 1 Pletikosa 2 Šerić 3 Šimunić 4 Tomas 5 Rapaić 6 Živković 7 Vugrinec 8 Prosinečki 9 Šuker (c) 10 N. Kovač 11 Bokšić 12 Butina 13 Stanić 14 Soldo 15 Šarić 16 Vranješ 17 Jarni 18 Olić 19 Vlaović 20 Šimić 21 R. Kovač 22 Balaban 23 Vasilj Coach: Jozić

Croatia squad – UEFA Euro 2004 1 Vasilj 2 Tokić 3 Šimunić 4 Tomas 5 Tudor 6 Živković (c) 7 Rapaić 8 Srna 9 Pršo 10 N. Kovač 11 Šokota 12 Butina 13 Šimić 14 Neretljak 15 Leko 16 Babić 17 Klasnić 18 Olić 19 Mornar 20 Roso 21 R. Kovač 22 Bjelica 23 Didulica Coach: Barić