Name: Aleksandar Stefanov Shalamanov
Nickname: "Shami"
Country:
BulgariaClub: PFC Slavia Sofia
Position: *SB, SWP
Side: RF/RS
Age: 21-25 years (04/09/1941)
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 71 kg
Attack: 68
Defence: 78
Balance: 82
Stamina: 84
Top Speed: 86
Acceleration: 82
Response: 83
Agility: 81
Dribble Accuracy: 78
Dribble Speed: 82
Short Pass Accuracy: 74
Short Pass Speed: 77
Long Pass Accuracy: 77
Long Pass Speed: 76
Shot Accuracy: 66
Shot Power: 83
Shot Technique: 67
Free Kick Accuracy: 63
Curling: 68
Header: 75
Jump: 84
Technique: 77
Aggression: 71
Mentality: 84
Keeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 81
Injury Tolerance: B
Condition: 6
Weak Foot Accuracy: 5
Weak Foot Frequency: 5
Consistency: 6
Growth Type: Standard
CARDS:
S08 Slide Tackle
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Sliding - Side
Attack / Defence Awareness Card: Balanced
INFO:
Alexander Shalamanov was a Bulgarian football player, volleyball player, skier and football coach. He is considered the best right-back of the Bulgarian national football team of all time. In this position in 1966 he was elected to the ideal team of the World Cup and was included in the ideal team of the world. Very fast and fantastic in performing well timed sliding tackles. He used to rush forward also, but wasn't allowed to repeat it too much. Shalamanov was very confident and reliable player with solid technique and great energy, excellent in closing down the opponents wingers. Shalamanov is known as the only player who has participated in the Winter Olympics (as alpine skier in 1960) and in the FIFA World Cup. The Summer Olympics saw him as reserve player of the volleyball team in 1964, but he did not play in a match. Aleksandar Shalamanov began his career as a defender with CSKA Sofia in 1960-61, but moved to Slavia Sofia in 1961 to remain there until 1974, when he retired after 263 matches in the Bulgarian Championship, three Bulgarian Cup trophies (1963, 1964 and 1966) and a Cup Winners' Cup semi-final in 1967. Shalamanov has twice been selected Best Bulgarian Footballer, in 1963 and 1966, and twice Best Bulgarian Sportsman, in 1967 and 1973. He played in 26 games and scored 1 goal in European Cups and helped Slavia to reach the semifinal of the Cup Winners Cup in 1967. He has 42 caps and 1 goal for the Bulgarian national team, with which he participated in the World Cup 1966 and World Cup 1970. In 1966 he was selected in the The Best Team of World Cup occupying right back position. Shalamanov was also Bulgarian champion in giant slalom. He was active parallel in both football and alpine skiing since his childhood, usually performing skiing in winter and football on the rest of the season. But after an injury he suffered on skiing in 1965 he didn't compete anymore as profesional skier and dedicated himself on football. After his retirement from active playing Shalamanov works as a football coach.