Panenka Proud Sergio Ramos Copies His Penalty Style

By Max Wise

Originator of the famous ‘Panenka penalty’, Antonin Panenka, feels proud that Real Madrid Captain, Sergio Ramos, copies his style on a regular basis.

Ramos cheekily swerved Celta Vigo's goalkeeper, Sergio Alvarez, from the penalty spot in Madrid’s 4-2 win last Sunday, in what was the latest imitation of the popular spot-kick trick which was first executed by the former Czechoslovakia striker in the EURO 1976 final.

Panenka famously stepped up to take the winning penalty kick in the EURO 1976 final game between then Czechoslovakia and West Germany after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

Czechoslovakia were 4-3 up on penalties when Panenka shaped to place his kick to the goalkeeper's left, but instead sent a delicate chip down the centre of the goal to win the title in style. 

"Of course, I know that Ramos is taking penalties in my style, everyone says so," Panenka told AS.

"It's making Belgrade 1976 come back to our lives again. I appreciate it greatly. What memories and chills!

"I'm really proud that Ramos has developed a taste for shooting penalties like that, as do many other top-level players."

"Ramos is undoubtedly one of the best in the world. It is not the first time he uses my shot, he is a regular, and I am glad that he is."

"I remember that the first ones he took were not the prettiest ones, but all have gone in, and that is the important thing in the end."

"[Ramos' penalty against Celta] was one of the most elegantly executed Panenka penalties I've ever seen him do. I really enjoyed it and I appreciated it. A great goal, without a doubt."

French great, Zinedine Zidane, scored a 'Panenka' at the 2006 World Cup final against Italy while Italian great, Andrea Pirlo, badly humiliated England goalkeeper Joe Hart with the trick at the EURO 2012.

Panenka, who is now 69 years old, is currently the Chairman of Czech Republic side, Bohemians Praha 1905, the club he featured for 230 times during his illustrious playing career.