Antonín Panenka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Antonín Panenka

Panenka in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Antonín Panenka
Date of birth	(1948-12-02) 2 December 1948 (age 76)
Place of birth	Prague, Czechoslovakia
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current club	Bohemians Prague (chairman)
Youth career
1958–1967	Bohemians Prague
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1967–1981	Bohemians Prague	230	(76)
1981–1985	Rapid Wien	127	(63)
1985–1987	VSE St. Pölten	50	(31)
1987–1989	SK Slovan Wien	54	(25)
1989–1991	ASV Hohenau	8	(6)
1991–1993	Kleinwiesendorf
Total		469	(201)
National team
1973–1982	Czechoslovakia	59	(17)
Honours Men's football Representing  Czechoslovakia UEFA European Championship Winner 1976 Yugoslavia
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Signature of Antonín Panenka (2004)

Antonín Panenka (born December 2, 1948) is a famous Czech former football player. He was an attacking midfielder. He is best known for his amazing and brave penalty kick. He used this kick to win the UEFA Euro 1976 for Czechoslovakia. This special way of taking a penalty is now called a Panenka after him! He played most of his career for Bohemians Prague in Czechoslovakia. Later, he played for clubs in Austria, like Rapid Wien.

Club Career

Antonín Panenka was a skilled attacking midfielder. He was known for his great passes and powerful free kicks. He started his career at Bohemians Prague in 1967. He played there for many years. In 1980, he was named the Czechoslovak Footballer of the Year.

In 1981, Panenka moved to Austria. He joined Rapid Wien. There, he helped his team win two Bundesliga titles. They also won the Austrian Cup three times. In 1985, Rapid Wien reached the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final. Panenka played in that game, but his team lost to Everton. After Rapid Wien, he played for other Austrian clubs before ending his playing career.

The Famous Panenka Penalty

Antonín Panenka became famous around the world at UEFA Euro 1976. His country, Czechoslovakia, reached the final. They played against West Germany. The game was tied 2–2 after extra time. This meant the winner would be decided by a penalty shootout. It was the first time a European Championship final went to a shootout.

The first seven penalty kicks were scored. Then, West Germany's fourth player missed his shot. The score was 4–3 to Czechoslovakia. Panenka stepped up to take the fifth penalty for his team. If he scored, Czechoslovakia would win the championship. There was huge pressure on him.

Panenka pretended to shoot the ball to the side of the goal. This made the German goalkeeper, Sepp Maier, dive to his left. But Panenka then gently chipped the ball right into the middle of the net. The goalkeeper had already dived away! This clever and daring goal won the match for Czechoslovakia. A French journalist called Panenka "a poet" because of his bold move. His winning kick is one of the most famous in football history. It made his name known worldwide for this special penalty style.

Since 1976, many players have tried to score a "Panenka" penalty. Some have succeeded, and some have not. It is still used in important games today.

After Football

After he stopped playing football, Antonín Panenka continued to be involved in the sport. He became the president of his former club, Bohemians 1905. In 2020, he had a health challenge but recovered well.

Awards and Achievements

Rapid Wien

• Austrian Bundesliga: 1981–82, 1982–83
• Austrian Cup: 1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85

Czechoslovakia

• UEFA European Championship: 1976

Individual

• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1976
• Czechoslovak Footballer of the Year: 1980
• ADN Eastern European Footballer of the Season: 1980
• European Cup Winners' Cup Top Scorer: 1984–85
• Golden Foot Legends Award: 2014

See also

In Spanish: Antonín Panenka para niños