Anton Ondruš

Anton Ondruš was born on March 27, 1950, in Solčany, Czechoslovakia. He began his football career with the great club Slovan Bratislava in 1970 at the age of 20. Initially playing as a striker, he was eventually repositioned to central defender.

Playing for his club alongside Koloman Gögh and Ján Pivarník, the young defender excelled alongside his Slovak teammates. This defensive hinge would later become the Czechoslovak national team's mainstay in the 1970s. With his club, he won two Czechoslovak championships in 1974 and 1975, and a National Cup in 1974.

Described as the Beckenbauer of the East, this tall, 1.89m central defender was both a stopper and a sweeper, depending on the preference. A defender with exceptional physical qualities, but above all, a natural leader, an intelligent player, and a rugged, hard-hitting defender.

The year 1976 was the pinnacle of his career, the year of consecration for a golden generation. During the qualifying phase for Euro 1976, Czechoslovakia had a legendary and heroic run, finishing first in their group ahead of England, eliminating the USSR, and defeating the Netherlands in the semifinals.

During this match, it was Ondruš who opened the scoring with a header from a free kick. He would also score an unfortunate own goal on a volley. But in extra time, Czechoslovakia took a commanding lead, scoring two goals in the last six minutes of the match.

The final pitted Czechoslovakia against West Germany. A match in which Germany was heavily favored, but a match that would prove to be a thrilling one. Czechoslovakia led 2-0 after just 25 minutes but conceded two goals, including one in the 89th minute, to make it 2-2 after extra time. In the penalty shootout, Ondruš scored his penalty, and Panenka secured the victory with a stroke of genius. Czechoslovakia were crowned European champions. Ondruš finished 1976 in sixth place for the Ballon d'Or, ahead of Cruyff, Müller, and Oleg Blokhin.

Considered a living legend of his time, Ondruš was unable to shine on the international stage, being stuck at his club until the age of 31 to leave his country to join another club. He therefore had a short stint at FC Bruges, a failure, then he relaunched himself at CS Thonon, a club that was in the French second division when he arrived. Then in 1987, he signed for FC Biel before ending his career at 39 after a more than honorable career and earned the status of a legend of his club Slovan Bratislava and Czechoslovakia.

- Named in the Euro 1976 Team of the Tournament

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