Antonín Panenka: Vengloš? Be glad that you can be proud of it – ŠPORT.sk

In addition to being welcomed by the locals at the town hall, where he received the Mayor’s Award, he was, of course, visited by a league hit.

“I will support Ružomberok, I guess that’s clear. A year ago I was in Nitra, who lost to Slovan 0: 1. Now it could turn out the other way around, ” it is as if the author of the legendary penalty – “vršovice dloubák” – from the final match of the 1976 European Championships with West Germany was announcing at a short briefing before the match.

THE PLEASURES PLEASED

Immediately before the start of the league duel, he repeated the wish for Ružomberok’s victory into the microphone, which pleased almost a thousand Ružomberok fans. He completed the ceremonial excavation with an unexpected heel.

Antonín Panenka has been involved in football fans in Liptov several hours before. He attended an autograph session, where his signature was asked especially by the smallest ones, especially the youth football players MFK were pushing in line. “It made me very happy. It’s been years I haven’t played, but the kids get to know me. It warms the heart, ” said today the 72-year-old former excellent midfielder.

Why did he actually visit Liptov? “I came at the invitation of the owner of MFK Ružomberok Milan Fiľ. We met at the matches of Bohemians, which he attends because he lives in Prague. He came up with the idea that I wouldn’t help him with the promotion of football, so here I am. “

RUŽOMBEROK IS FOLLOWING

The football club from Ružomberok did not operate at the highest level during Antonín Panenka’s active career. This means that the European champion from Belgrade never competed against the team from Liptov. However, this does not mean that he visited the city for the first time.

“I was here three times to declare the best eleventh of the season, but if I remember correctly, I also played one preparatory match with the national team, which we ran from the training camp in the High Tatras,” said Antonín Panenka.

And he continued: “I have been following the results of Ružomberok for a long time, because many of my friends worked in various positions in this club. Just mention Jozef Chovanec and Horst Siegl, who trained here. Přemysl Bičovský also led the local team. A lot of Czech coaches really changed here. And I don’t just remember them. In the past, MFK was even headed by an experienced official, Jiří Steinbroch, who also worked in Bohemians. ”

Ružomberok is not Bratislava or Trnava, but our football history was still influenced by several of his well-known natives. Viktor Tegelhoff comes from here, after whom the Bratislava street near Tehelná pole is even named. The legendary coach Jozef Vengloš was also born in Ružomberok, who was, among other things, on the bench of the Czechoslovak team with the success of Belgrade.

“Of course, I knew he was Ruzomberok. Be glad you can be proud of such a famous personality. I am happy that he was able to lead my generation of players together with Václav Ježek. It was a fantastic couple, they really found each other! Everyone was different. Mr. Venglosh was cultured, prudent, and patient with us. He brought peace with him, “ Antonín Panenka reminded the well-known truth.

And he pulled out the name of another native of Ružomberok. “I also know Viliam Hyravý, who had a nice career, was a representative, established himself abroad and also played for Ostrava. However, I only found out now that he is a native of Ružomberok. “ he admitted.

REPRESENTED BY BOHEMIANS

You can still meet Antonín Panenka in Prague at football matches. He holds the position of honorary president of Bohemians. “I don’t have an executive job, I rather represent a club. I meet sponsors and partners, I communicate with fans, “ said Antonín Panenka, who is particularly pleased today with the fact that life in football stadiums, influenced by the covid period, has returned to a more normal regime. “Football without spectators was just a pilgrimage attraction. It’s also important for the players that the fans are back in the stands, ” concluded.