Panenka: Totti's Famous Chip Penalty Revived Mine
Antonin Panenka, the Czechoslovak footballer who scored the decisive penalty in the 1976 European Championship final victory over West Germany, reflected on the enduring legacy of his famous chip-shot technique in an interview. Panenka recalled how he executed the 'scavino' (chip) on the final penalty kick in Belgrade 50 years ago, a technique that later became synonymous with his name. He revealed that Francesco Totti, the AS Roma legend, popularized the same method during Italy's Euro 2000 semifinal against the Netherlands, using it to score against goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. Parenka stated: "I don't know Totti, but his shot made mine rediscovered." The Czech pioneer explained that he had attempted around twenty chip penalties before 1976, losing only one in a 1975 friendly on a waterlogged pitch where the opposing goalkeeper refused to dive. During the 1976 final, his own goalkeeper, Ivo Viktor, initially tried to dissuade him from attempting the risky technique, even threatening to lock him out of their shared hotel room if he proceeded. Viktor ultimately did not follow through on his threat, and Panenka's penalty proved decisive in Czechoslovakia's triumph.
