Getting to know series: Zeni Husmani

Zeni Husmani; photo: Husmani FacebookThe latest subject in our interview series is Zeni Husmani, a former member of the Macedonian U21 national team who plays his club football in Slovenia with Domžale.

The 23-year-old Husmani is coming off a good first half of the season with Domžale, so we decided to catch up with Zeni to learn more about his career.  To this point, Husmani has exclusively played in Croatia and Slovenia with Šibenik and Domžale.  He was also formerly a member of the Macedonian U21 national team under manager Boban Babunski.

During our interview, we talked with Zeni about his early start in football, which coach influenced his career, his favorite position on the field, his current contract status with Domžale and his experience with the U21 national team.

Below is our question and answer session with Husmani:

MF: Zeni, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where were you born and when did you start playing football?
ZH: I was born in the village Cegrane and I lived there for 7 years.  After this, I went to Croatia in the city of Knin where my family worked.  That is where I started to play football.

MF: From your time in Croatia and Slovenia, which coach had the biggest influence on your career?
ZH: Ivica Kalinic was the first coach who included me in a first team.  Also, Branko Karacic is a good coach who believed in me and gave me a chance to play while I was 18 years old.  On the national team, I have good memories of Boban Babunski because we had good results with him.

MF: What is your preferred position on the field and do you have an idol that you try to emulate?
ZH: My preferred position is defensive midfielder.  My idol from early on was Zinedine Zidane and I try to emulate him in some situations.

MF: What is your current contract situation with Domžale, and do you see yourself playing for a bigger club in the future?
ZH: I have a contract with Domzale until June of 2015.  I play here standardly and give 100% in both training and the games.  Then, of course I see myself playing for a bigger club and hopefully that will happen soon.

MF: How was your experience with the Macedonian U21 national team?
ZH: My experience with the U21 team was very good.  I was extremely happy when we had qualification games because we had a good atmosphere within the team, and also had a chance to qualify.  I enjoyed it and I was proud to play for the national team.  I hope and wait for a chance to play for the national team again.  I will give 100% of myself and it would be a dream come true to play for my country.

The next two interviews that will be published over the coming days will be with Nikola Jakimovski and Darko Tasevski.  Jakimovski talked about his contract situation at Nagoya and his experience in Japan this past season, while our interview with Darko Tasevski was all about the national team.  He answered questions about the atmosphere within the team, whether he was surprised that Goran Pandev retired and what new manager Boshko Gjurovski should change to ensure better results.

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