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Ștefan Birtalan

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Ştefan Birtalan (25 September 1948 – 27 May 2024) was a Romanian handball player, coach and sports official.

István Birtalan
Birtalan in the 1970s-80s
Personal information
Born (1948-09-25)25 September 1948
Zalău, Romania[1]
Died 27 May 2024(2024-05-27) (aged 75)
Bucharest, Romania
Nationality Romanian
Height 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
Playing position Left back
Senior clubs
Years Team
1964–1966
 Rapid CFR Jibou
1967–1970
 Minerul Baia Mare
1970–1985
 Steaua Bucharest
1985–1986
 Tuscany Follonica
National team
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1966–1982
 Romania 231 (993)
Teams managed
1986–1994
 Steaua Bucharest (assistant)
1993–1994
 Romania
1994–1999
 Qatar
1999–2002
 Steaua Bucharest
Medal record
Team handball
Representing  Romania
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1976 Montreal Team
Bronze medal – third place 1972 Munich Team
Bronze medal – third place 1980 Moscow Team
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 1970 France Team
Gold medal – first place 1974 East Germany Team
World University Championship
Gold medal – first place 1973 Team
Gold medal – first place 1975 Team

Birtalan was one of the best players of his time and was named the World Player of the Year in 1974, 1976 and 1977.[2] He spent most of his club career with Steaua București, winning with them 12 Romanian championships and the European Champions Cup in 1977. He also won the world title in 1970 and 1974, becoming the top scorer at the 1974 tournament with 43 goals. He participated in the 1972, 1976 and 1980 Olympics winning one silver and 2 bronze medals.[1][3]

Biography

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Birtalan was of Hungarian descent through his parents István and Valeria.[4]

As a teenager he trained in handball, volleyball, basketball and athletics. He debuted in handball aged 16 with the team Rapid CFR Jibou. In 1966, he moved to Baia Mare to study civil engineering. There he first played volleyball and in 1967 changed to handball. From 1970 to 1985 he competed for Steaua Bucharest, with an interruption between 1981 and 1983. With Steaua he won the 1977 EHF Champions League title, finishing second in 1971, and 12 national titles. In 1966, he was included to the junior and in 1968 to the senior national handball team.[3]

At the end of his career Birtalan spent one year in Italy as player-coach in 1985–86. After returning to Romania he worked with the national junior team, and in 1991–1994 was head coach at Steaua. In 1994 he accepted a coaching position in Qatar. Between 1999 and 2002 he again coached Steaua, bringing it to the national titles in 2000 and 2001. In 2002 he retired from coaching due to health problems, and became a sport administrator.[3]

Birtalan died on 27 May 2024, at the age of 75.[5]

International achievements

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National achievements

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Player

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Steaua București
  • Romanian National League:
    • Winner: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985
  • Romanian Cup:
    • Winner: 1981, 1985

Manager

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Steaua București

Individual awards and honours

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IHF
National
  • 3× Romanian Sportsman of the Year: 1974, 1976, 1977

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ştefan Birtalan Biography and Olympic Results". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Handball legend amazed by CL final". European Handball Federation. 27 May 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Ştefan Birtalan. cosr.ro
  4. ^ "INTERVIU Ştefan Birtalan, fost campion mondial la handbal" (in Romanian). Adevărul. 23 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Legendarul Ștefan Birtalan a murit, la 75 de ani". Digisport. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
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