Croatia will never forget Vladimir Beara

Vladimir Beara (85), born in 1928 in Zelovo near Sinj, Croatia, died on Monday, 11 August 2014, in Split hospital.

"We have received the news with extreme grief, and I would like to extend my condolences, as well those of the Croatian Football Federation, to his family. Our thoughts are with you. Croatian and world football have lost true greatness. Many experts and fellow goalkeepers have named Beara among the best, and he will be remembered as an extraordinary goalkeeper. Croatia will never forget the one and only Vladimir Beara", said Davor Šuker, the president of the Croatian Football Federation.

FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter also offered his condolences, on behalf of the whole FIFA community.

Beara's final resting place at Lovrinac cemetery in Split, according to his wishes, included the Hajduk Split flag, with the club holding the commemorative service.

"Vladimir Beara became a legend during his life. However, we have lost not only a football legend, but a great man. Croatia need to keep the memory of Vladimir Beara alive for future generations", said Zorislav Srebrić, advisory to the president Šuker.

Beara started his playing career at Hajduk Split, and continued at Red Star Belgrade, and in Germany - at Alemannia Aachen and Viktoria Köln. As a coach, Beara worked in Germany, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and as a head coach of the Cameroon national football team. From 1950 to 1959, Beara was a member of the Yugoslav national team, being capped 60 times. He played at three World Cups and won the silver Olympic medal in 1952 in Helsinki. He was also selected for the Team Europe.

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