Victor Ponedelnik turns 80!

On May 22, 2017, legendary Soviet football player, who scored the match-winning goal against Yugoslavia team in the final match of the European Championship 1960, Honored Master of Sports, famous sports journalist and writer Victor Ponedelnik turned 80.

President of the Russian Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov congratulated the anniversary celebrant.

Dear Viktor Viktorovich!

During your brilliant football career, you have given your fans many happy moments. Your ‘gold goal’ in the match against the Yugoslavia team, which brought our country the first (and by now only) title of the European champion! And those 20 goals in 29 matches for the USSR team is a great result of a big master!

Fate decided that FC SKA Rostov-on-Don became your main team. You have always demonstrated an impetuous, beautiful and at the same time gentlemanlike game, by which you won affection and respect of different clubs’ fans.

It is encouraging that even after the end of your career you still serve hand and foot to Football, as journalist and writer now. Your ability to talk about your favourite game brightly, professionally, to capture the essence of the problem is what makes your media reports so special. And your books on Football are read in one breath!

Accept our sincere congratulations on your anniversary! I wish you good health, happiness, creative inspiration and success in all your endeavors!