At the age of 65, a legendary figure in world football and the only Romanian footballer who has a place in the Guinness Book of Records because of the amazing things he did on May 7, 1986, died.
Helmut Ducandam,”the hero of Seville” as everyone called him in his homeland after his legendary appearance at the Ramon Sanchez Pitjuan stadium in the capital of Andalusia,his last in the morning at the military hospital in Bucharest were he was rushed to Friday last..
The veteran goalkeeper underwent open heart surgery last September (and has had heart problems in the past) and even though everything seemed to be going well, he felt ill and collapsed into a coma, never to recover.
The legend of an incredible ending
The 65-year-old Dukandam, due to serious health problems, was unable to retire from his career, in the final of the Champions Cup (…precursor of the Champions league) against Barcelona which regularly ended 0-0 Time and extra time proved crucial in the penalty shoot-out, which saved the Catalans four strikes to hand European champions Steaua their title.
“When I was a kid I always dreamed of playing in a big game and being the hero that would help my team achieve glory. But even then, I did not dare that this could happen in the final of the European Cup and especially in the final of the Champions Cup”, he said in an interview with Four Four Two, revealing unknown aspects of that unexpected success for a team of Romania.
Because Barcelona in the mid-80s may not have been what thay are today, but Steaua were the worst in the final.
When Romania was living under the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu, there was a great scene of mystery surrounding Steaua, the “Army team”.
Indeed, after winning the title, there were various myths about Ducandam’s “disappearance” from the devastation, which many blamed on the regime, however
“Valentine was instrumental in our success. In the winter break he took the whole team to a sports center for special training and in the spring we were tough as… bulls. He helped us train with floodlights back home, which was usually impossible due to the restrictions on electricity consumption imposed by the communist regime. And when UEFA informed us that we have to change our look because we have the same colors as Barcelona, great command too.
In the semi-finals Steaua eliminated Belgium’s Anderlecht as they lost 1-0 in Brussels and won 3-0 in Bucharest to book their place in the final in Seville against rivals Barcelona.
The Catalans were playing at home,confident of their first ever trophy (it finally came in 1992 in the final against Sampdoria at Wembley),but after 120 minutes it remained 0-0 with both teams going to pens.
“When the referee blew the whistle at the end of extra time, I thought: ‘This is my moment.’ I didn’t care who was going to take the penalties for my team, I was 100% focused on my own job. I didn’t even look at our own penalty – I was just watching the reactions of the crowd,” continued Ducandam, revealing the paleolithic way in which he scouted Spain’s penalty kicks!
“We had two journalists who helped us get videos of our opponents from people who work in foreign embassies in Romania. Ironically, the only Barcelona game I couldn’t attend was the semi-final against Gothenburg, which they won on penalties.”
The whole process was an incredible thriller with Uruti (Barcelona goalkeeper) and Dukandam saving the first two executions…
Marius Lakatus made it 1-0 for steaua and it was Pitchy Alonso’s turn to get the ball for Barcelona.
“Picci Alonso must have thought: ‘Okay, he got it right twice, but he’s not going to try his luck. I will shoot then.’ that’s what he did but I didn’t change sides and fell to the right again, collecting the ball confidently,” explained the Romanian for his third save in
Gavril Balid made it 2-0 and another Alonso, Marcos had to score to keep Barcelona alive.
“For me, it was about inspiration.If you look closely at the replay of his shots,you will see the mind games I played. At first, I let him believe I was going to my left. As he approached, I moved slightly to my right, then suddenly jumped to the left. He saw me change direction, thought I would continue jumping to my right, and shot weakly to my left. When you explain it like that, it truly seems easy, but when you have 70,000 people watching you in the European Cup final, it seems a lot more intricate!”
The apotheosis the day after the final by Sevilla and Betis fans
On the night of the final, the Steaua players, not having learned that luxury, did not know how to celebrate their huge success and simply drank a glass of wine at the hotel.
However, the day after the final, friends Sevilla and Betis treated them like heroes because they don’t notably like Barcelona and Real.
“We went out for a walk and signed thousands of signatures and were served beer and applauded everywhere. For us, coming from a closed communist society, all this was unprecedented.”
The court-martial, Haji and the Aneurysm
Returning to Romania, they also returned to the harsh reality of an authoritarian regime.
“We were promised different things but it was the most ‘expensive’ Dacia car. finally they gave us an ARO 4×4, also of Romanian production, with the difference that they are used vehicles from the Romanian army. The only good thing was that we sold them at a good price to farmers who needed them…”
Though, a few weeks after the final his life changed dramatically and he revealed:
“I was going to play in a game that was .. rigged because we had to make sure our striking attack won the top scorer award in the division, but I didn’t want to be part of it.
Our player ended up scoring three goals, but a new kid from Sportul scored more in his last game to complete his run with 31 goals. The name of this new baby was George Haji!
for the fact that I refused to play, I was banned from training with the team for two weeks, and I also went through a court-martial (Steaua was the army team) that was held on the field, in the presence of Ilie Ceausescu. (general and brother of the dictator), who supervised all the proceedings.I was fined the equivalent of two months wages before I was allowed to return to the team, but the nightmare was not over.
Shortly afterwards an aneurysm was discovered in my right arm. I had an operation before the Intercontinental Cup final with River Plate in Tokyo. I traveled to Japan and joined the team, even jumping into the fire pit so the local journalists could get pictures of me in action. I just had to make sure I always landed with my left hand.
But very quickly, the doctors said it was too dangerous for me to continue playing. Then I was expelled from the army, as ceausescu said that if I couldn’t play football, I had to leave the army too. I couldn’t believe it as I went from peak to nadir in just a few months.
the myths about Ceausescu and the cold reception of the dictator
This whole strange story that disappeared from view led to many rumors about what happened and the one who said that one of Ceausescu’s sons shot him in the hand,punishing him for the he criticized the regime.
“These are all fairy tales! Anyway, in Bucharest there was a huge hatred for the regime and I wasn’t the only one”, he answered clearly while also revealing the unexpected meeting of the Steaua players with Nicolae Ceausescu.
“We met Nikolae after the final. There was a reception from the regime, but we did not expect to see it. His words were not friendly or flattering, but cold.After such success, what he told us was that if we had prepared better, we would have won in the race time”!
Because of the health problem with his hand, Ducandam had to give up his active activity and until the fall of the regime he worked for seven years as a border guard!
Later he was the ambassador of Steaua, he was the president of the team, and he was also a commentator on matches on Romanian TV stations…
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How did Helmut Ducadâm’s experiences under the communist regime influence his playing style and approach to the game?
Interview with Time.news Editor and Football Expert Sorin Marcu
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Sorin! Today, we’re discussing the remarkable life and legacy of Helmut Ducadâm, a true legend in the world of football. As an expert in the field, how do you view Ducadâm’s impact on Romanian football and the sport in general?
Sorin Marcu (SM): Thank you for having me! Helmut Ducadâm is not just a legendary player in Romanian football; he represents an entire era. His most iconic moment in the 1986 European Cup final—where he saved three penalties against FC Barcelona—was a defining moment not just for Steaua Bucharest,but for Romanian sports as a whole.It symbolized hope and resilience during a time marked by political and social struggles.
TNE: It’s fascinating how his performances transcended the sport. Ducadâm played under the shadow of the communist regime in Romania. How do you think that environment shaped his career and the success of Steaua at the time?
SM: Absolutely. Steaua Bucharest was often referred to as the “Army team,” which imbued them with a certain mystique and pressure. The regime’s restrictions made things quite challenging, especially in training and readiness. However, thanks to the resourcefulness of their coach, Valentin Stănescu, they found ways to train under conditions that reflected the reality of competitive football—like using floodlights during the energy rationing. They didn’t have the luxuries of today’s training facilities, but their adaptability led to their astonishing success.
TNE: It’s incredible how they turned adversity into strength. Following their unexpected triumph in 1986, what do you think contributed to the myths surrounding Ducadâm’s “disappearance” from public life?
SM: Ducadâm faced immense pressure following his success. The myth of his disappearance can be attributed to both the state censorship and the overwhelming fame that came too quickly for him. After such an extraordinary victory, it’s not surprising he would want to retreat from the spotlight. Victors are often placed on pedestals,and the scrutiny can be quite intense. Combine that with a regime that controlled much of the media narrative, and you have the perfect storm for such myths to form.
TNE: You mentioned that Ducadâm saved three penalties during that final match. Could you delve into the psychological aspect of a goalkeeper facing penalty shots in a high-stakes game like that?
SM: Penalty shootouts are as much mental as they are physical. Ducadâm was fantastic at reading the shooters and psyching them out. He had a keen sense of timing and learned players’ tendencies, which is crucial under pressure. In an interview, he discussed how he used the crowd’s energy to focus on his job rather than on what was happening with his team. This mental fortitude is what turned the game in Steaua’s favor—especially in a daunting environment like the Camp Nou against Barcelona.
TNE: Ducadâm not only saved penalties but also marked a cultural moment for Romania. How do you think his legacy influences current Romanian football?
SM: Ducadâm set a benchmark for what it meant to be a Romanian footballer on the international stage. His success has inspired generations of players to believe they too can compete at the highest levels. His legacy is about more than football; it’s about national pride. Players today often reference him as a symbol of possibility, especially in a time when Romanian football faces challenges in maintaining its competitive edge globally.
TNE: Lastly, Helmut Ducadâm’s passing at 65 leaves a void in the world of football. How should we remember his contribution?
SM: We should remember him not only as a talented goalkeeper but as a tremendous figure of inspiration in Romanian history. Ducadâm’s story is a reminder of perseverance, skill, and the power of sports to unite and uplift. his legacy lives on in every young player who dreams of following in his footsteps. He taught us that even against the odds, greatness is possible.
TNE: Thank you, Sorin, for sharing such insights on Helmut Ducadâm’s life and legacy. his story will undoubtedly continue to inspire many.
SM: Thank you for having me! It’s essential to honor and celebrate the legends who have shaped the game we love.