Hockey player Anatoly Firsov: biography and photo

The history of the national hockey player Anatoly Firsov has become an example for many sports stars. His name is shrouded in legends and a string of different myths. The athlete was one of the few who became a three-time Olympic champion.

Firsov Anatoly Vasilyevich: biography

His life began in Moscow on February 1, 1941. His father died at the front. Most of his friends grew up in the same families. Boys constantly played in popular then hockey with the ball. His hobby led Anatoly to the children's team of the Krasny Oktyabr plant. Already at the age of 13 he realized that the love of sport is strong enough. Anatoly Firsov decided to develop his talent in the sports school.

"Spartacus"

The choice of this sports school was primarily dictated by a convenient location. At the same time Firsov Anatoly Vasilievich was already a fan of the club, which allowed to combine opportunities with desires. Here I had to completely forget about the ball and play real ice hockey. Training allowed him to perform in the first team at the USSR Championship in 17 years. Fans of the club immediately appreciated the promising young man. For the team, Anatoly Firsov played for 3 years, but he could not become a star. Change of positions came from an unexpected side.

CSKA Moscow

In 1961, a young, promising hockey player Firsov Anatoly Vasilievich received a summons to the army. Thus, the transition from the native club to the army CSK was officially registered. At first, Anatoly Firsov was in real panic, even tried to hide from his coach. But, having understood himself, he stopped resisting. All the necessary documents were issued in one day, immediately after that the young man went to Riga. Speaking for his new club, he managed to score 2 goals. As a result, CSKA won with a score of 4: 2.

Meeting with the club's coach Anatoly Tarasov left the latter an extremely unpleasant impression. The new player was so thin that it was impossible to believe in his ability as a striker from a knowledgeable person. Here Firsov Anatoly Vasilyevich showed great restraint and showed how stubborn he can be. From the very first days he began to train hard. With such persistence, none of the team members could not boast. The coach sometimes had to force him out of the hall.

Mentor estimated how quickly the guy was able to gain the necessary weight due to the buildup of muscle mass. For his persistence and desire to learn, he found the favor of Tarasov. The athlete understood that he was treated with special kindness, but he never tried to gain from this benefit.

The alignment of forces

The first was replaced by Anatoly Firsov himself. Previously, he had to play as a central striker, now it was necessary to take the left flank. Immediately he began to work out his key reception. In a few years, his blow will make the fans tremble in anticipation, and the goalkeepers - make them nervous. Already in 1965, just next to Anatoly, young Vikulov and Polupanov appeared. The trinity quickly came together on a personal and professional level, learning how to easily understand and support each other. Calculation of the coach was correct. These players in the shortest time were seen not only in the country, but also abroad.

Duel with Canadians

Since 1967, in the homeland of hockey , it was decided to form a national team, which will have to play with the USSR team. Before that, according to tradition, there was the club that managed to win the Allan Cup. The national team needed not only to compete against a strong opponent, but also to defeat it in order to get the much-needed fifth victory in the championship.

Coaches at the time were Anatoly Tarasov and Arkady Chernyshev. They sought from the players full return and compulsory work in the team. The first verification of the forces by both sides established a score of 1: 1. Then a long time to change it could not be achieved thanks to the virtuosic game of Canadian goalkeeper Seth Martin. The task of each was to exact passes. When Firsov showed initiative, carried away in the passion, he had to change. Already on the way to the bench resting Anatoly saw the puck under his feet.

Then the player admitted that at that moment the first desire was just to fling her away with anger. However, long training and professional training did their job. Martin at this moment relaxed, opening the top corner of the gate. This moment was enough to change the score in favor of his team. Until the end of the match Canadians failed to correct their situation.

Intrigues surround all successful people

Soviet hockey player Firsov Anatoly Vasilyevich became a three-time Olympic champion, playing in the USSR national team at the Olympics in Innsbruck in 1964, Grenoble in 1968 and Sapporo in 1972. Only a month after the third brilliant performance, he was expelled from the team. After the Olympics, the coach was replaced, which began to strengthen his positions in the team by eliminating the players closest to Tarasov. For Firsov himself, this attitude was a blow. He did not want to look for a new club at the age of 32. Despite the numerous proposals from foreign teams, his country did not intend to leave. Career of the legendary hockey player on this was completed. In the autumn of the same year the national team came out against the Canadian contender in the new lineup, but could not win the victory.

Life after hockey

Immediately after leaving the big sport, Anatoly Firsov, photo of whom you see in the article, decided to try himself as coach of the junior team, CSKA and even "Legia". But to achieve serious results in this field, he failed due to lack of rigidity.

The demobilization from the army in 1987 opened a new opportunity for him. From this moment the hockey player became the trainer of children. The desire to share experience, which has always been noted with gratitude by colleagues on the game, found its grateful listener. To his work, he constantly attracted other players who left the big sport. Together with Anatoly Tarasov he prepared young talents for the tournament "Golden Puck".

In 1988 he took the post of People's Deputy. People without constraint went to him for help, and he sincerely tried to support everyone.

The International Ice Hockey Federation included his name in the Hall of Fame in 1998, and the leadership of the highest hockey league in 2014 organized the annual awarding of the Anatoly Firsov prize to the best player.

Love

Without Nadezhda Sergeyevna Firsova, the world could not have found out about the legendary player. He married at the age of 18 and carried the love to this girl in a year. She taught him to be disciplined and strong. Her death in April 2000 was a real blow to Anatoly. Nobody could distract him from painful thoughts, most of the time he tried to spend at the grave of his beloved woman. Without her, his life has lost all its colors, has become too exorbitant burden. And already in July 2000 the world said goodbye to Anatoly Firsov himself.

Ice hockey player Anatoly Firsov, achievements and photos of which are presented to your attention in the article, was a wonderful person. His kindness, understanding, vital energy was enough for everyone around him. It is these people who should be proud and set them as an example!