Antonín Panenka is a renowned Czech footballer known for his unique penalty kick technique.
He is famous for scoring the winning penalty in the UEFA Euro 1976 final, a moment that defined his career.
Panenka was awarded the Czech Medal of Merit for his contributions to football.
Biography
Early Life and Career
Antonín Panenka is a celebrated Czech former professional footballer, born in 1948. He is best known for his role as an attacking midfielder, a position he excelled in throughout his career. Panenka began his professional journey with Bohemians Prague in 1967, where he showcased his exceptional passing skills and free-kick abilities. His talent quickly earned him recognition, and in 1980, he was named Czechoslovak Footballer of the Year.
International Success
Panenka's most iconic moment came during the UEFA Euro 1976, where he played a pivotal role in leading Czechoslovakia to victory. In the final against West Germany, he famously scored the winning penalty with a delicate chip, a technique that has since been immortalized as the "panenka." This moment not only secured the championship for his country but also solidified his legacy in football history.
Later Career and Legacy
After his successful stint with Bohemians, Panenka moved to Austria, playing for clubs like SK Rapid Wien, where he won multiple Bundesliga titles and Austrian Cups. His career continued in the lower leagues until his retirement in 1993. Following his playing days, he returned to Bohemians 1905 as president. In 2020, Panenka faced health challenges after contracting COVID-19 but made a recovery. His contributions to football have been recognized with various honors, including the Golden Foot Legends Award in 2014, and he remains a beloved figure in Czech sports.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
An attacking midfielder known for the quality of his passing and his free kicks, Panenka played for Bohemians Prague for most of his career, joining the club in 1967. He was named Czechoslovak Footballer of the Year in 1980. In 1981, Panenka left Bohemians for Austrian club Rapid Wien, where he won two Bundesliga titles and an Austrian Cup. In 1985, Rapid reached the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final; Panenka played as a substitute, but his side lost 3–1 to Everton. Later that year, Panenka moved to VSE St. Pölten and played two more seasons before moving into the lower leagues in Austria, playing from 1987 to 1989 for Slovan Vienna, from 1989 to 1991 for ASV Hohenau and from 1991 to 1993 for Kleinwiesendorf.
Following his career, Panenka worked as a president at former club Bohemians 1905. On 7 October 2020, the club confirmed that Panenka had been admitted to hospital and was in intensive care after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. By mid-October, Panenka's condition had improved and he was discharged to continue his recovery at home.
International
Scores and results list Czechoslovakia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Panenka goal.
- Club
- SK Rapid Wien (1981–1985)
- Club
- ASV Hohenau (1989–1991)
- Club
- Bohemians 1905 (1967–1981)
- Club
- Czechoslovakia men's national association football team (1973–1982)
- Club
- SK Slovan-Hütteldorfer AC (1987–1989)
- Club
- VSE St. Pölten (1985–1987)
- Club
- Grossweikersdorf (1991–1993)
- National team
- Czechoslovakia
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Czech Medal of Merit
- Award
- honorary citizen of Prague 2
Legacy
Rapid Wien
Austrian Bundesliga: 1981–82, 1982–83 Austrian Cup: 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85 Czechoslovakia
UEFA European Championship: 1976 Individual
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1976 Czechoslovak Footballer of the Year: 1980 ADN Eastern European Footballer of the Season: 1980 European Cup Winners' Cup Top Scorer: 1984–85 Golden Foot Legends Award: 2014
Clubs
- Bohemians 19051967–1981
- Czechoslovakia men's national association football team1973–1982
- SK Rapid Wien1981–1985
- VSE St. Pölten1985–1987
- SK Slovan-Hütteldorfer AC1987–1989
- ASV Hohenau1989–1991
- Grossweikersdorf1991–1993
Played together with
- Abdulla Yusuf HelalBohemians 1905 · 2018–2019
Adam PetroušBohemians 1905 · 1996–1997
Alfred HörtnaglSK Rapid Wien · 1993–1994- Alfred JermanišSK Rapid Wien · 1994–1995
Alfred KörnerSK Rapid Wien · 1942–1959- Alfred TeinitzerSK Rapid Wien · 1949–1952
Aliou BadjiSK Rapid Wien
Andreas HerafSK Rapid Wien · 1985–1988- Andreas HerafSK Rapid Wien · 1995–1999
Andreas HerzogSK Rapid Wien · 1986–1992- Andreas HerzogSK Rapid Wien · 2002–2003
Andreas IvanschitzSK Rapid Wien · 2000–2005
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Antonín Panenka is a Czech former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He spent most of his career at Czechoslovak club Bohemians Prague before having spells with various Austrian clubs including Rapid Wien. Panenka won UEFA Euro 1976 with Czechoslovakia and gained recognition for his winning penalty kick in the shoot-out of the final against West Germany where he scored with a softly-chipped ball up the middle of the goal as the goalkeeper dived away. This style of penalty is now known as a panenka. In 1980, he won Czechoslovak Footballer of the Year and his team finished third at Euro 1980.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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