Romania in mourning: Helmut Duckadam has died

Romania in mourning: è died Helmut Duckadam

Romania and the entire soccer world mourns the passing of Helmut Duckadam, who died at the age of 65. The former Romanian goalkeeper wrote one of the most important pages of European soccer history during the legendary 1985-86 Champions Cup final, where his Steaua Bucharest faced Barcelona. During penalty kicks, he was able to parry all four of his opponents’ shots, giving his team a historic victory and becoming the first Romanian footballer to earn a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

Duckadam è s career was extraordinary and singular, as he had his peak and his end in a very short time. Born in 1959, he joined Steaua Bucharest at age 23 and wore the redblù jersey for four seasons, from 1982 to 1986.

After retiring from soccer in 1991, the Semlac native è moved to the United States and later è returned to Romania becoming the Romanian club's ambassador.

Last Sept. 20, Duckadam had undergone his ninth and final heart operation and in an interview told of taking between 18 and 20 medications daily for more than 34 years.