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47 Facts About Robert Stambolziev

1.

In 2009, Robert Stambolziev joined Super League Greece club Panathinaikos before playing in three of Greece's four professional league's in the Greek football league system.

2.

Robert Stambolziev represented Australia at under-20 level between 2008 and 2009.

3.

Robert Stambolziev grew up in the suburb Whittlesea of Melbourne's north, where he played in the youth system of Preston Lions, eventually becoming one of few professional footballers to play at the club, such as Sasa Ognenovski, Billy Celeski and Mathew Theodore.

4.

Robert Stambolziev was overlooked by the club's reserve-team, which saw him transfer to FFV Division 1 club Hume City in 2006, with whom he was able to play at reserve level.

5.

Robert Stambolziev was a member of Australia's European Football Institute, and travelled to England to work as a glass collector at the Walkabout in Swindon.

6.

Robert Stambolziev was then offered a trial with the U18 youth academies of Bristol City, Reading and Southend United aged fourteen.

7.

Robert Stambolziev returned to England aged sixteen with an Australian representative team which participated in a tour, again he was spotted by Bristol City and was officially offered a youth contract.

8.

In 2007 Robert Stambolziev joined the U18 Academy of English Football League One side Bristol City.

9.

On 25 August 2007, Robert Stambolziev appeared for City's Youth Academy.

10.

Robert Stambolziev played in successive games for the Academy in September, October and November, making his last appearance for 2007 on 15 December.

11.

Robert Stambolziev opened the scoring early before Sam Jerome equalised in the 78th minute, then Stambolziev scored with the last kick of the game.

12.

The win sent Bristol City into the Round of 16 stage of the competition, where they would face Manchester City U18, as Robert Stambolziev eventually earned the nickname of Bristol City's very own 'Wizard of Oz' by the English media.

13.

Robert Stambolziev has appeared for the Academy side during January and February 2008.

14.

On 25 March 2008, Robert Stambolziev played for Bristol City's reserve team.

15.

Robert Stambolziev controlled a cross from Andy Minturn and had his shot narrowly clearing the bar, before scoring from a ball given over the Cirencester Town back line in the last four minutes of the game.

16.

Robert Stambolziev played as a left-midfielder under coach John Clayton and was replaced in the 70th minute for Jack Neagle.

17.

Robert Stambolziev played against Chelsea players like Daniel Philliskirk, Billy-Joe King, Marko Mitrovic, Fabio Borini, Jordan Tabor and Frank Nouble.

18.

Robert Stambolziev appeared again for the Academy team on 27 September 2008.

19.

On 8 October 2008, Robert Stambolziev played for the club's reserve team.

20.

On 22 November 2008, Robert Stambolziev played in another tie for the club's Academy team.

21.

Robert Stambolziev trained with the club's first-team towards the end of 2008.

22.

On 31 January 2009, Robert Stambolziev played for the club's Academy team.

23.

Robert Stambolziev made his final Bristol City appearance in a reserves game on 6 May 2009.

24.

Robert Stambolziev was one of four academy graduates to eventually be offered a contract, with teammates Marlonon Jackson, Ashley Kington and Joe Edwards.

25.

On 11 June 2009, Sky Sports reported that Robert Stambolziev had turned down a four figured contract in favour of joining a club in Greece.

26.

On 22 June 2009, it was reported that Robert Stambolziev was close to signing for Panathinaikos.

27.

In July 2009, Robert Stambolziev attended pre-season training with the Panathinaikos first-team in Switzerland, sharing the sessions with players like Djibril Cisse, Kostas Katsouranis, Giorgos Karagounis, Marcelo Matos and Sebastian Leto.

28.

Robert Stambolziev was roommates with Giorgos Machlelis.

29.

Robert Stambolziev joined Australians Zeljko Kalac, Craig Moore, Andreas Govas and Apostolos Giannou during his loan at Kavala.

30.

Robert Stambolziev put in a good performance in his first match for Kavala in a friendly against Atromitos.

31.

On 29 August 2009, Robert Stambolziev was an unused substitute for AO Kavala.

32.

In January 2010, Robert Stambolziev returned to Panathinaikos when he joined teammate Academy players, including Lando Fusu, in first-team training.

33.

On 23 July 2010, Robert Stambolziev was included in the first-team for a friendly against West Ham United.

34.

On 13 August 2010, Robert Stambolziev appeared in another friendly game for Panathinaikos.

35.

In September 2011 Robert Stambolziev signed a one-year contract with Gamma Ethniki side AO Proodeftiki.

36.

Robert Stambolziev arrived at the club alongside former teammate Giorgos Machlelis, and Giorgos Niklitsiotis.

37.

On 21 January 2015, Robert Stambolziev signed for Sydney FC as an injury replacement for Corey Gameiro.

38.

Robert Stambolziev was on trial for six weeks before signing a one-year deal.

39.

On 29 August 2016, Robert Stambolziev was a used substitute for Kidderminster Harriers.

40.

On 28 January 2017, Robert Stambolziev appeared in the starting lineup and scored a double for his new club.

41.

On 25 February 2017, Robert Stambolziev appeared in the starting lineup and scored.

42.

On 4 March 2017, Robert Stambolziev scored another double for his club.

43.

Robert Stambolziev scored nine goals in eight matches before making his last appearance for the club on 16 July 2017.

44.

In July 2008, Robert Stambolziev was listed in a group of Australian footballers aged between 16 and 22 known as "the lost boys", including Paul Giannou, Andreas Govas and Dean Bouzanis, who were likely to play for or had played for national teams of the country of their heritage.

45.

In May 2009, Robert Stambolziev was selected for Australia's national youth team to play a series of friendlies in a tournament in Terborg against youth teams including De Graafschap, Valencia CF, Atletico Mineiro, Egypt U-20, PSV Eindhoven, Ajax Amsterdam, Celtic, FC Uitgeest, and Vitesse as part of the under-20 national team's preparation for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

46.

Robert Stambolziev was ultimately not selected to take part at the U-20 World Cup, stating that the Australia's national youth teams had neglected him for selection which resulted in his interest of representing Macedonia.

47.

Robert Stambolziev was an alumni at St Monica's College in Melbourne.