Honored master of sports Leonid Buryak spoke about his partner. I can tell you a lot about Volodya Muntyan, an honored master of sports, a seven-time champion of the former USSR, a four-time silver medalist, a holder of the Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Super Cup (1975), and a vice-champion of Europe (1972).
Vladimir MuntyanHe played 302 matches for Dynamo in the national championships (scored 57 goals), and has 49 appearances (7 goals) for the national team. I am proud that I played on the field in the same team as this star midfielder.
“Munyu,” as the fans affectionately called the virtuous performer, had many unique qualities: impressive field vision, speedy bursts, the ability to deliver accurate passes over any distance.
And that’s not all. Muntyan was one of the most technical players of that time, possessing powerful shots with both feet. Such players are said to be — a footballer from God.
I wanted to play like my older teammate.
Practicing Passes
Once Vladimir told me:
— A pass in football is everything. How do you feel, Leonid, if after training we stay for another hour and work additionally? At that moment, I thought that Muntyan was offering me his hand. But why is he doing this? Just because he needs a sparring partner? I don't think so. After all, he could choose anyone for that purpose.
I believe Muntyan was practicing passing while also preparing a replacement for himself. Because when it comes to the interests of the team, when you truly care about it, you can't remain indifferent to the new players — you will definitely do your best to help them.
Remaining on the club's base field in Koncha-Zaspa for another hour or so, we practiced passes to each other according to a pre-planned scheme: first passing at a height of one and a half meters, then lifting the ball to five, increasing the distance between us to forty, and so on.
Of course, I was very pleased when our plans worked out. And Muntyan would say: “Well done, that's good!”.
The Ball Became Obedient
— I already felt quite good with the ball, but now I saw that our unscheduled lessons were bringing great benefits. The ball became even more obedient. After all, I could send it absolutely precisely where it was needed. Those lessons from Muntyan gave me a lot.
When he ended his playing career (and I believe it happened prematurely), both I and the team missed him for a long time. Just like his cheerful demeanor, optimism, and pranks, which Vladimir was a master of.
In my achieving something in football, there is no small share of credit to Vladimir Fedorovich.
Alexander LIPENKO for Dynamo.kiev.ua
