Football and journalism legend Ivo Urban passes away
Ivo Urban
PRAGUE, June 25, 2024 - Ivo Urban, a long-time chairman of Czech Sports Journalists Club and a famous figure in Czechoslovakian football, passed away on June 22, 2024 in Prague. He was 93 years old.
Urban's football career began in 1943 with Slavia Prague, where he played until 1951. However, it was his time with Dukla Prague that truly cemented his legacy.
Urban joined Dukla in 1952, just as the club was beginning its golden era. Over the next 11 seasons, he helped Dukla win an incredible six league titles and one Czechoslovakian Cup. He played alongside some of the greatest players of the time, including Josef Masopust Ladislav Novák, Svatopluk Pluskal and Rudolf Kučera, and was coached by the legendary Jaroslav Vejvoda.
Urban made four appearances for the Czechoslovakian national team in 1956, including two against Brazil.
Even while still an active player, Urban began writing for the magazine Zápisník. In the 1970s, he joined the sports desk of Rudé Právo, where he became head of department in 1988, a position he held for nearly two decades. He was also chairman of the Czech Sports Journalists Club for 12 years (1977-1989).
Urban was not only an outstanding and respected journalist but also a prolific author. He wrote numerous short stories and several books, including the popular "10 Golden Balls" about the best footballers in Europe, "Football Legends" and a monograph on the goalscorer Zdeněk Nehoda entitled "All My Goals".
Despite his advancing years, Urban remained passionate about football and was a regular visitor to Dukla's home ground, the Juliska Stadium, even in his nineties. He spent the last two years of his life at the Military University Hospital in Prague, battling an incurable illness. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Urban's football career began in 1943 with Slavia Prague, where he played until 1951. However, it was his time with Dukla Prague that truly cemented his legacy.
Urban joined Dukla in 1952, just as the club was beginning its golden era. Over the next 11 seasons, he helped Dukla win an incredible six league titles and one Czechoslovakian Cup. He played alongside some of the greatest players of the time, including Josef Masopust Ladislav Novák, Svatopluk Pluskal and Rudolf Kučera, and was coached by the legendary Jaroslav Vejvoda.
Urban made four appearances for the Czechoslovakian national team in 1956, including two against Brazil.
Even while still an active player, Urban began writing for the magazine Zápisník. In the 1970s, he joined the sports desk of Rudé Právo, where he became head of department in 1988, a position he held for nearly two decades. He was also chairman of the Czech Sports Journalists Club for 12 years (1977-1989).
Urban was not only an outstanding and respected journalist but also a prolific author. He wrote numerous short stories and several books, including the popular "10 Golden Balls" about the best footballers in Europe, "Football Legends" and a monograph on the goalscorer Zdeněk Nehoda entitled "All My Goals".
Despite his advancing years, Urban remained passionate about football and was a regular visitor to Dukla's home ground, the Juliska Stadium, even in his nineties. He spent the last two years of his life at the Military University Hospital in Prague, battling an incurable illness. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
News from the same category
.jpg)
