EP 07: Daniel Georgievski - From Western Sydney to Dinamo…

About this episode

Daniel Georgievski takes us through his journey from Western Sydney to Dinamo Zagreb's academy, Steaua Bucharest, and Champions League nights against Chelsea, Schalke, and Ajax.In this episode of From First Touch to First Team, host Jan Schmidt sits down with the former professional footballer to trace one of the most unlikely paths in Australian football. Danny talks about growing up in Blacktown as a rugby league fan, wearing his dad's work socks to play at Marion FC, getting cut from Blacktown Demons at 14, and how a highlights reel his mum burned onto a CD ended up landing him a trial at Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.We move through the eight years that followed. Danny is candid about being 18, jet-lagged, and crying outside the Dinamo Zagreb stadium after a horrible first trial, the daily grind of morning and afternoon training that became his football education, and the reality of five years as a professional with no money to his name, chewing gum so his stomach thought he was full. He talks about being captain at 21 in Croatia, breaking his leg and fighting back to play Europa League and Champions League football in the same season.He is honest about the moment the Champions League anthem hit him playing in front of 60,000 fans, what it felt like to line up against Eden Hazard, and why every Australian player thinking about Europe needs a serious reality check before they go.We close with his message for young players thinking about quitting, the honest truth about agents, and what he tells parents who dream of their kids playing overseas.Whether you are a young player chasing the dream, a parent supporting one, or a coach shaping the next generation, this is one of the most honest conversations on this show so far.IN THIS EPISODE▸ Growing up in Blacktown, Marconi, and being a rugby league fan first ▸ Being cut at 14 and finding his own way back into the game ▸ The highlights reel his mum burned onto a CD that led to Dinamo Zagreb ▸ Crying outside the Dinamo Zagreb stadium after his first trial at 18 ▸ Five years pro with no money to his name and chewing gum to feel full ▸ Captain at 21 in Croatia and signing for Steaua Bucharest in Romania ▸ Champions League nights against Chelsea, Schalke, and Ajax ▸ Signing for Melbourne Victory and winning three titles in one season ▸ His honest truth about agents in football ▸ The reality check every Australian player needs before Europe ▸ His message for young players thinking about quittingCHAPTERS00:00 Intro 01:28 Welcome and meet Daniel Georgievski 04:06 Growing up in Blacktown, Marconi, and being a rugby league fan 06:49 Pele on cassette, backyard training, and his parents' approach 12:20 The highlights reel that took him to a Dinamo Zagreb trial 15:04 What Croatia's daily training taught him about football 18:34 His first pro contract and captain at 21 in Croatia 21:45 Signing for Steaua Bucharest 23:46 Champions League nights against Chelsea, Schalke, and Ajax 25:49 Signing for Melbourne Victory and winning three titles 30:52 What he would do differently if he could go back 33:19 His hard truth about agents in football 36:35 The Champions League anthem moment he'll never forget 40:08 Retiring the day his son was born 42:27 Learning to coach Australian kids after playing in Europe 45:12 What John Toshak and his Croatian coaches taught him 49:32 The reality check every Australian player needs before Europe 57:05 "Don't give up" - his message for players thinking about quitting 59:13 Stoppage Time Questions🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Leave a comment or send us a text on Instagram if you have a question.And remember:Enjoy the journey!