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Romanian football mourns goalkeeping hero Duckadam

Obituaries Members

The former Romanian goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam has passed away, aged 65.

 Helmuth Duckadam celebrates after saving the last of  Barcelona's penalties at the 1986 European Cup final
Helmuth Duckadam celebrates after saving the last of Barcelona's penalties at the 1986 European Cup final Bob Thomas Sports Photography vi

Duckadam will be well remembered for having saved four penalties during Steaua Bucharest's shoot-out victory against Barcelona in the 1986 European Cup final, securing a first continential title for a Romanian club.

"People used to say that when a star falls, it leaves behind a luminous trail. The magnitude of the trail Duckadam is leaving on football history is nothing short of remarkable. He is leaving a legacy that will shine bright as long as the game is being played, for older generations to admire and for new generations to inspire."

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin

1986 final: Steaua vs Barcelona shoot-out

Born on 1 April 1959 in Semlac, he played for Constructorul Arad (1977-1978), UTA Arad (1978-1982), Steaua (1983-1986), Vagonul Arad (1989-1991) and CPL Arad (1993-1994), winning winning two league championships (1985 and 1986), one Romanian Cup (1985) and the European Cup, all of them with Steaua.

He was also capped twice by the Romanian national team, both in friendlies in 1982.