Slovan and Slovakia mourn Hrivnák
Monday, October 20, 2014
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Former ŠK Slovan Bratislava and Czechoslovakia defender Vladimír Hrivnák, who scored in Slovan's 1969 European Cup Winners' Cup final triumph, has died aged 69.
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Slovakian football is in mourning following the death of former ŠK Slovan Bratislava and Czechoslovakia defender Vladimír Hrivnák at the age of 69.
Hrivnák spent most of his career at Slovan, joining in 1963 and helping the side reach the 1969 European Cup Winners' Cup final, where he scored in a 3-2 victory against FC Barcelona – still the only European title claimed by a Slovakian club.
He also helped Slovan clinch the Czech crown in 1969/70, a year after making his international debut in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Hungary. The former gymnast went on to represent Czechoslovakia at the finals in Mexico and won a total of 13 caps, with his last coming against Austria in 1972.
Six years later, Hrivnák moved into coaching, and in addition to a spell in charge of Slovan's youth side, he oversaw the likes of DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda, AŠK Inter Bratislava and FK Matador Púchov.
