President Klaus Iohannis signed a decree for the posthumous decoration of former goalkeeper Helmut Duckadam, the Presidential Administration announced on Wednesday.
According to the quoted source, as a sign of "homage for his exceptional sports career, talent, passion, dedication, and professionalism in promoting Romanian football internationally, becoming a symbol of the achievements of a generation," the head of state awarded the National Order of the Star of Romania in rank of Knight to sportsman Helmut Duckadam posthumously.
The former great Romanian goalkeeper, Helmut Duckadam, known as the "Hero of Seville," passed away on Monday morning at the Military Hospital in the Capital, at the age of 65. Duckadam had undergone open-heart surgery in September.
Born on April 1, 1959, in Semlac, Arad County, Helmut Duckadam began playing football in 1975 at Gloria Arad. Until 1983, when he transferred to Steaua Bucharest, he also played for UTA (1977 and 1978-1983) and Constructorul Arad (1977-1978).
He became the "Hero of Seville" in the 1986 European Cup final, when he saved four consecutive penalty kicks in Steaua's 2-0 victory over Barcelona. This performance earned him a place in the Guinness World Records. Duckadam played 133 matches in Romania's top football division, had two appearances for the national team, and 11 appearances in European competitions. He won one champion title, one Romanian Cup (1985), and the European Cup (1986).
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