Giovanny Espinoza

Football player infobox| playername= Giovanny Espinoza
fullname = Giovanny Patricio Espinoza Pabón
nickname = La Sombra


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1977|4|12
cityofbirth = Charguacayo
countryofbirth = Ecuador
height = height|m=1.88
currentclub = Cruzeiro
clubnumber = 4
position = Central defender
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1997-2007 2007-2008 2008-present
clubs = LDU Quito Vitesse Arnhem Cruzeiro
caps(goals) =274 (19)
28 (0)
21 (1)
nationalyears = 1996-
nationalteam = Ecuador
nationalcaps(goals) = 80 (3)
pcupdate = October 10 2008
ntupdate = October 10 2008

Giovanny Patricio Espinoza Pabón (born April 12 1977 in Charguacayo) is a Ecuadorian footballer who plays for Cruzeiro.

Playing Style

Espinoza is a strong and experienced centre back noted for his strength and determination. It is the belief of many that Espinoza and his longtime national team defensive partner, Ivan Hurtado, alone is responsible for Ecuador's success of qualifying for two FIFA World Cup tournaments.

International career

He was named in the Ecuador national side for the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. He currently is the second highest capped player for his country behind Ivan Hurtado with 98 caps. He made his international debut in 1996 just a week after his 19th birthday in a World Cup qualification match where Ecuador beat Peru 4-1.

Espinoza and Hurtado together hold the international record for the longest unbroken pairing in the position of centre half - they have played the last 65 games together, dating back to 1999. This is partly due to South American nations playing more international qualification matches than any other region. In the 2006 edition of the FIFA World Cup, Espinoza was nominated for a place in FIFA's ideal 11, which rewards the top players in each position. He was also included in Ecuador's squad for the 2001, 2004, and 2007 Copa Americas.

Club career

His strong physique and speed helped his old club side LDU Quito win two league championships in 2001 and 2004. His nickname is "La Sombra", which translates as "the shadow", because of his size, he creates large shadows.

In the 2006 edition of the FIFA World Cup, Espinoza was nominated for a place in FIFA's ideal 11, which rewards the top players in each position.

On 25 January 2007 Giovanny Espinoza was transferred from LDU Quito to Vitesse. There he has to replace Ruud Knol. He signed for 1.5 year till June 2008. On February 10, 2007 he played his first Eredivisie match for Vitesse against SC Heerenveen. [ cite web|title=Tactical Formation|work=Football-Lineups.com
url=http://www.football-lineups.com/wiki/_match3737.php | accessdate=February 14 | accessyear=2007] He was a regular starter in the first half of the 2007-08 season.

On January 14 2008, Espinoza was signed by Cruzeiro of Brazil. He is currently the captain of the side after some very impressive displays and leadership on the field. [ [http://www.ecuagol.com/ecuagol/content/news.php?PageIndex=09e2cca9-Ed63-4923-9c14-b3f53026a488&newsID=15238 ecuagol.com .::. Todo sobre el fútbol ecuatoriano :: Noticias ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=2079 Career details] at National Football Teams