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Jersey Number: 21
Hometown: Murska Sobota, Slovenia
Position: Defender
Age: 21
Former club: NK Maribor
Background
(NK Maribor/Twitter)
Žan Kolmanič may have been the latest to join Austin FC's training camp, but he's already made immediate impact. The 21-year-old hopped on a plane to Austin straight from the UEFA U-21 Championships where he represented his home country of Slovenia.
Before Austin, Kolmanič spent four seasons with NK Maribor, a 15-time championship team in the Slovenian premier league PrvaLiga, logging six assists with the club. Kolmanič started in 43 of his 45 matches played and helped guide the team to yet another PrvaLiga Championship as a 19-year-old in 2018-19.
Kolmanič has also represented his country on the international level. As he grew up, Kolmanič logged almost as many appearances with the U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-21 Slovenian National teams as he has professionally. He's played in 39 international matches and most recently participated in three matches against Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic in the U-21 Championships in March.
Without breaking stride, Kolmanič came to Austin and quarantined before joining the inaugural Austin FC roster. Kolmanič said he's glad to have played a final season with Maribor to get him ready for the MLS.
"I have a lot of games already this year, (so) I'm ready," Kolmanič said. "I was in the rhythm with the game, so it was really, really good for me to join the team."
With Austin FC
(Zan Kolmanic/Instagram)
Kolmanič was added to the roster as more of a depth player than a starter, but he was called up prematurely when fellow left back Ben Sweat suffered an ACL tear in the beginning of the Colorado Rapids match. Kolmanič entered with composure and energy, quickly filling in Sweat's shoes.
Kolmanič said he's happy to match the faster tempo of MLS play and credits his calmness and his teammates for his quick adjustment.
"I can say that I'm calm with the ball," Kolmanič said. "I think I make good decisions on the pitch, and, of course, trying to help with energy for all of us teammates, they've all been great to me. We connect and you saw it on the pitch against LAFC and Colorado."
With Sweat out for the season, Kolmanič is likely to start at left back for the rest of the season. It's been all but confirmed by Wolff, who said Aedan Stanley and Hector Jimenez could also get minutes at the position as well.
Even though he missed much of preseason, Wolff said he may be the fittest on the team since he's fresh out of a season with NK Maribor. Kolmanič is also a standout due to his ability to provide chances on goal to his teammates; against LAFC, he provided five crosses in his MLS debut, and he was able to do more of the same as he subbed in for Sweat to help ATXFC to a 3-1 victory.
Off the pitch
(Zan Kolmanic/Instagram)
A native of Murska Sobota, Slovenia, Kolmanič is one of three Europeans to join the club. Most players speak English or Spanish, and Kolmanič is the only Slovenian speaker on the club, though he speaks English as well. Still, Kolmanič said it's not hard for the players to communicate on the pitch.
"We make it work," Kolmanič said. "On the field, you just see how how we play and you see the movements of the player, so we don't really need to speak that much."
While it's a big adjustment to be in the States, Kolmanič said he's better off here as Slovenia enters a lockdown.
"I escaped lockdown in Slovenia when I left and here is more open and everything," Kolmanič said. "And we got the vaccines, (so) I think, for me, it's better to be right here."
He's also on the younger end of the lineup. At 21, Kolmanič is one of six under-22 players on Austin FC's roster, and he's one of several to make his MLS debut this season. As the league continues to grow, Kolmanič said he's happy to have the opportunity to play here. As for the future?
"We will see," Kolmanič said. "I'm just trying to make an impact in the game."
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Popular
(Gulfstream)
Elon Musk has placed an order for a new, top-of-the-line private jet: a Gulfstream G700, Austonia has learned. Delivery is expected in early 2023.
Billed as offering “the most spacious cabin in history,” the aircraft seats 19 and soars above the rest of us at up to 51,000 feet. Base price: $78 million.
The Gulfstream G700 was awarded the 2022 International Yacht & Aviation Award for excellence in cabin design this year. (Gulfstream)
According to the Gulfstream website, the G700 can fly up to 7,500 nautical miles without refueling, enough range to fly nonstop from Austin to Hong Kong. Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, it has its own Wi-Fi system, 20 oval windows measuring 28” x 21”, and two lavatories.
The sweet new ride will replace his current top-of-line private jet: a 2015 Gulfstream G650, the aircraft that has been made somewhat famous by the automated @elonjet Twitter account, which tracks and reports his personal aircraft’s movements using public data.
Landed in Austin, Texas, US. Apx. flt. time 44 Mins. pic.twitter.com/jZ7HI0i4iV
— ElonJet (@ElonJet) June 24, 2022
Musk has repeatedly championed “free speech” as a guiding ethic in his planned purchase of Twitter. Last December, Musk offered the teenager who built the @elonjet tracker $50,000 to shut it down, citing security concerns. It’s still up.
According to the @elonjet account, Musk’s jet last traveled to Austin, where it’s been since June 23. The associated data says that his flight to Austin burned $2,573 worth of aviation fuel and discharged 4 tons of carbon dioxide.
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(Valencia Hotel Group)
Live music and beer? Say no more. With a location in Austin, and others throughout Texas, the court hotels by the Valencia Hotel Group have a new offering for weekend stays: Live Music & Longnecks.
Enjoy live music all weekend long and check out the hotels’ state-of-the-art amenities between sets. Make a splash in the pool, enjoy outdoor fire pits, or challenge your friends in a yard game while enjoying a weekend full of live music! Did we mention the package includes deluxe accommodations and a bucket of beer? Oh, and if you needed more convincing, this pet-friendly hotel means the whole family can join in on the fun.
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.