Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Vinko Buljubasic

NSL Clubs:                                         

Melbourne Knights, Perth Glory, Football Kingz

Green & Gold Honors:                        

Olyroos Under 23’s

Diegos Verdict:                                   

Stylish sweeper who reads the game well.

Courageously returned to the game in 2000 after suffering a horrific broken leg playing for Perth in 1999.

Currently getting his career back on track playing for the Football Kingz.

All the best Vinko. The Diegos say ‘break a leg’ amigo. Err sorry…I think we might take that back.

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Vinko Buljubasic

Vinko on life as an injured athlete…

Diegos: " One of the hardest things that professional sportspeople have to cope with is long term injuries.

After the daily consumption of soapies such as 'The Bold and the Beautiful', talk shows like Oprah Winfrey, the full set of 'Rocky', 'Nightmare on Elm Street' and 'Godfather' videos and the mandatory knitting classes, the injured athlete is often reduced to a depressed shell of a man trapped in a lonely world.

What has been the hardest thing about not playing soccer for you?

Buljubasic: “The thought of not playing with the boys and not getting my dose of the winning feeling is the hardest thing.

I'm an avid fan of 'The Bold and the Beautiful' and all the rest of the soapies but in between the shows I do a lot of swimming rehabilitation just to keep my mind off what has happened.

I've adopted a positive approach to my healing and the only thing I can do now is to work hard, be patient and watch more of 'The Bold and the Beautiful'."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Vinko on tacos and broken legs…

Diegos: " If the Four Diegos were given a taco for every time someone asked you 'How's the leg?’ we'd no doubt become four fat Mexicans.

We're feeling a little peckish so 'How's the leg?"

Buljubasic: “The leg is fine. I'll be back running in approximately six weeks. I've been working hard in the pool and doing a lot of physiotherapy.

So if I can keep it down to a six month injury I believe I've done well."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Vinko still contributing to the team…

Diegos: “When an injured athlete is out of action he often tries to compensate by contributing to the team in other ways.

Have you………

(a)        Turned into an ‘ugly parent' type, lambasting the Glory players after a poor performance?

(b)        Turned into a referee 'hater' greeting every decision against Glory with a tirade of free flowing abuse?

(c)        Turned into the club psychologist and resident priest offering a warm and fuzzy shoulder to cry on when players are feeling down or wanting to confess their sins?

(d)        Become a servant to the players - scrubbing John Markovski's jock strap, shaving Vas Kalogeracos' head and polishing Danny Milosevic's boots?

Buljubasic: “I don't know about (d), scrubbing Jonesy's jock strap would be a full time job. I think I'll have to go with (c).

Win or lose I'm always there for the players. I still go to all the training sessions and matches. I've certainly learnt a lot. Hopefully I can become a coach or a priest pretty soon."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Vinko on mental skills…

Diegos: "Inactive players sometimes undertake courses that fine tune their mental skills with the view of making them better and more composed under pressure. 

How are the Tai Chi and 12^th Century Tibetan meditation sessions going and do you think you're going to come back a better player when you finally make your return to the field?"

Buljubasic: “I don't know about the meditation sessions. I think I'll feel much better mentally when I get back to playing and lay my first tackle. I'm not known for being a dirty player but that first tackle will be nice.

Perhaps I can show the guy who broke my leg how to tackle. That would be an ideal way of cleansing the soul - Tai Chi style."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999