Russia mourns Torpedo legend Ivanov
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
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Former FC Torpedo Moskva striker Valentin Ivanov, who helped the Soviet Union to 1956 Olympic gold and the 1960 European title, has died in Moscow aged 77.
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Valentin Ivanov, part of the Soviet Union team that won the first edition of what was to become the UEFA European Championship, has died in Moscow aged 77 after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
The forward spent his entire club career at FC Torpedo Moskva, scoring 124 goals in 287 league appearances and winning the domestic double in 1960 and another league title five years later. Capped 60 times by the USSR, scoring 26 goals, he helped them claim 1956 Olympic gold and victory in the inaugural European Nations' Cup in 1960. Ivanov was 1962 FIFA World Cup joint top scorer and was also in the side that were EURO runners-up in 1964.
He turned to coaching in 1967 and had several spells at the helm of Torpedo, guiding them to the league crown in 1976 and three Soviet Cup victories. After leaving the position for the last time in in 2003, he continued to serve Torpedo as adviser to the club president.
"It is very sad when such a man departs," said former Torpedo and USSR goalkeeper Anzor Kavazashvili. "Ivanov left an indelible mark on the history of Russian football, his name is written in golden letters in the history of our sport. He was loved by everyone, not only by football players but also by anyone who had the slightest interest in sport. We lost a man who was a model for younger generations."
