Ex-International footballer dies after struggling coronary heart assault throughout match
Andriy Polunin, who played football on the international stage for Ukraine, has died after he reportedly suffered a heart attack during a veterans’ match
An international footballer has tragically died after he was playing in a veterans’ match.
Andriy Polunin, 55, was playing in a match in Lutsk, Ukraine, when he suffered a heart attack, according to reports. Polunin made nine appearances for the Ukrainian national team in the 1990s.
And in those games he would find the net once, during a Euro 1996 qualifier against Italy at San Nicola. However, Ukraine would lose the match 3-1 and fail to qualify for the tournament.
Polunin started his career in his native Ukraine, turning out for his local side, the now defunct Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. However, he would soon move to Germany in search of more minutes.
In his time in Germany, Polunin turned out for 1.FC Nuremberg, FC St. Pauli and Rot-Weiss Essen.
Tributes have been paid to the former defender, including from o ne of his former clubs Metalist 1925:
A statement read: “Metalist 1925 expresses its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Andriy Viktorovych. The club shares the pain of loss with you.”
Another of his clubs, FC Karpaty Lviv, wrote: “Eternal memory to Andriy Polunin, sincere condolences to his family and friends.”
A prominent Ukrainian twitter shared: “Rest in Peace Andriy Polunin. He fell ill after playing in a veterans match in Lutsk and passed away suddenly aged 54.
“The ex midfielder was a 90s Dnipro icon and also CSKA Kyiv, Karpaty, Kryvbas, Nurnberg, St Pauli & Rot-Weiss Essen From 1 Jan he was Metalist 1925 chief scout.”
One fan responded: “Very sad at this news. Briefly met him once, saw him play many occasions and commentated on him quite a few times. Really under rated player for me.”
