Sporting Witness
Sporting Witness
Lev Yashin - The Soviet Union's Goalkeeping Hero
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June 30, 2018
9 minutes
Available for over a year
The 2018 World Cup in Russia is honouring the former Soviet goalkeeper, Lev Yashin, by featuring him on the tournament poster. Yashin - nicknamed the "Black Panther" - revolutionised goalkeeping, winning the prestigious Golden Boot trophy. He also helped lead the Soviet Union to several famous victories in the 1950s and 60s, but later died young and in very poor health. Simon Watts introduces the memories of Yashin's widow, Valentina Yashina. The material in the programme was gathered by BBC Sport.
PHOTO: Lev Yashin in action at the 1966 World Cup (Getty Images)