Football, Sport and Storytelling

In football, there are moments that keep coming back — and like children, we never get tired of reliving them. That’s the beauty of this sport: it constantly gives rise to stories worth telling.

Beyond being just a sport, football generates tales, sparks conversations, encourages different perspectives and rivalries which, despite the differences, ultimately bring people together.

This is why the historical legends of football are so important — they are the heroes, the embodiment of these stories. In our daily lives, we love to talk about football, and there’s always that lingering feeling that perhaps what we’re discussing today — the brilliant players, the breathtaking moves — might one day become the legendary moments future generations of football fans will talk about.

That’s why today, once again, we tell the story of Antonín Panenka — the hero of the Czech Republic at the 1976 European Championship. 

Who Was Antonín Panenka 

Antonín Panenka was born in 1948, three years after the end of the Second World War.

He was a footballer from the Czech Republic, part of the gritty footballing generation of the 60s, 70s, and 80s — the kind of football that laid the foundations for the game we enjoy today. He played as a midfielder.

He spent the majority of his career, between 1967 and 1981, at Bohemians Prague, a club based in the picturesque district of Vršovice in the beautiful city of Prague. However, his most successful years came with Rapid Vienna, the club he joined from 1981 to 1985.

With Rapid Vienna, he won the Austrian Bundesliga in 1982 and 1983, and three Austrian Cups in 1983, 1984 and 1985. He concluded his playing career at various Austrian clubs including VSE St. Pölten, SK Slovak Vienna, ASV Hohenau, and Kleinwiesendorf — finally hanging up his boots in 1993.

As a Czechoslovakia international, he wore the national shirt between 1973 and 1982, earning 59 caps and scoring 19 goals. 

Antonin Panenka with the Czechoslovakian national team – Euro 1976

These are the bare facts of this iconic player's career. But now, let’s go back to the story — the one that warms our hearts and reminds us why we love this sport.

The Famous Panenka Penalty 

Many of us hadn’t even been born yet when that unforgettable moment occurred — the final of the 1976 European Championship between West Germany and Czechoslovakia.

All bets were on Germany to win, facing a Czechoslovak side made up of largely unknown players. Even though they had defeated the Netherlands in the semi-final, few believed they could stand a chance against the mighty West Germans — let alone produce one of the most dazzling and legendary moments in football history. Today, it would have gone instantly viral.

The final began with two early goals for Czechoslovakia: Švehlík scored in the 8th minute and Dobiaš followed in the 25th. But the Germans, as always, responded. The semi-final hero Dieter Müller and his teammate Hölzenbein equalised in the 28th and 89th minutes.

For the first time in history, a European Championship final was to be decided by a penalty shootout. Czechoslovakia went first, and the first seven spot-kicks were converted flawlessly — until Germany’s Uli Hoeneß stepped up and blasted his shot over the bar.

With the score at 4–3, it was Panenka’s turn. He stepped forward to take the decisive penalty. But instead of striking it with power — the usual choice in such high-pressure moments — he calmly chipped the ball straight down the middle, a technique that would forever bear his name: the “Panenka”.

Antonín Panenka wearing the Czechoslovakia shirt taking his penalty kick.

The legendary German goalkeeper Sepp Maier, one of the most respected keepers of that era, dived to his left, powerless to stop the ball gently floating into the centre of the net.

Antonín Panenka and Sepp Maier - 1976 European Championship

Antonín Panenka (in red, with his arms raised) celebrating his daring penalty kick.

Panenka’s penalty clinched the title for Czechoslovakia, who won the shootout 5–3. That kick is now considered one of the coolest and bravest penalties in football history..

Panenka’s Followers: Totti, Zidane and Pirlo

Other footballers were inspired by him, and today we look back at three iconic Panenka-style penalty moments.

His famous spot-kick inspired some of the greatest football legends, such as Francesco Totti during the semi-final match against the Netherlands — the team of Bergkamp, Overmars and Kluivert — at Euro 2000. Totti’s Panenka was once again one of the defining moments of that historic tournament, as his penalty sent Italy through to the final against France. Delivered with Totti’s signature elegance, that Panenka-style penalty secured Italy’s place in the final and remains etched in the memory of Italian fans — perhaps even more so than the loss in the final itself. 

Totti's Panenka penalty at 2000  European Championship 

In a near reversal of that story, Zinedine Zidane, in 2006, in his final match for France — the World Cup final against Italy — did what only the true greats dare to do. He took a risk and added to his legendary status with a Panenka-style penalty to make it 1–0 against another titan of the game, Gianluigi Buffon. Although Italy went on to lift the trophy, that moment was immortalised in football history.

Zidane's Panenka-style penalty kick - 2006 World Cup final between France and Italy

At Euro 2012, another Italian legend, Andrea Pirlo, also executed a Panenka-style penalty. It came during the quarter-final shoot-out against England. Italy were briefly trailing 2–1 in the shoot-out when Pirlo calmly chipped the ball down the middle, completely deceiving goalkeeper Joe Hart, who had dived to one side. That goal shifted the momentum psychologically, and Italy eventually won 4–2 on penalties.

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Pirlo's Panenka-style penalty kick - Euro 2012 

So many others have won the hearts of fans with Panenka-style penalties that we’ll leave it to you to explore and find your own favourite. Ours remains the first, the original — Antonín’s.

Though his penalty is now celebrated as a moment of genius, at the time many criticised it as disrespectful or reckless. Panenka always defended it, saying it was not meant as a provocation, but as a way of expressing his creativity.

Panenka Czechoslovakia 1976 Football Shirt

Here is the replica of the iconic shirt worn by Antonín Panenka at the 1976 European Championship — red, with a polo collar and white trim. A historic football shirt you won’t want to miss..

And the 1976 European Championship Czechoslovakia Panenka Socks — inspired by his famous penalty.

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Panenka’s life is a shining example of how an innovative idea can transcend sport, become a personal trademark, and leave an unforgettable legacy.

And remember — in any match, history can be made. Perhaps one day, during a visit to the stadium to watch your national team or your club, you’ll witness a moment that future generations will talk about for years to come.