Legendary footballer Antonin Paninka has tested positive for COVID-19, his former club Bohemians have confirmed.
Paninka, world famous for the penalty that gave Czechoslovakia victory in the 1976 European Championship final, remains in hospital in a ‘serious condition’.
Update: U Antonína Panenky byla préd malou chvílí potobzena nákaza koronavirem. This is an actual test. https://t.co/F9JUKsK5sD
— Bohemians Praha 1905 (@bohemians1905) October 7, 2020
Czech side Bohemians 1904 revealed in an official statement on Wednesday that Paninka has been moved to the intensive care unit.
The statement read: “Anton Paninka was transferred to the hospital’s ICU in critical condition today, where he is connected to medical equipment. His coronavirus infection was confirmed some time ago.
A man who has a penalty style named after him, the attacking midfielder shot to fame when he scored the winning penalty against West Germany in the 1976 European Championship shootout. Scored. Paninka clinched his nation’s title with a gently stuck dunk into the middle of the goal, with the goalkeeper diving to the side, thus coining the term ‘Paninka penalty’.
Since that day, he has been copied by players all over the world, with notable versions of his technique being used by the likes of Sergio Ramos, Zinedine Zidane, Andrea Pirlo and countless others. Lionel Messi famously scored Barcelona’s 700th goal from Peninka’s penalty.
Paninka is president of Bohemians/Michael Cizek/Getty Images.
Spending the majority of his career with Bohemia in his hometown of Prague, Peninka would go on to make over 230 appearances for the club, earning himself legendary status and following the end of his career. will hold the position of President.
He also had a prolific spell with Rapid Vienna in the early 1980s, winning five domestic trophies in four seasons, before turning out for various Austrian sides as his career ended. go At international level, he played 59 times for Czechoslovakia with the only major honor coming with his nation at the 1976 tournament.
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