Ivan Curkovic is a true legend of the Greens. Last bastion of the legendary 76th minute team, he spoke about it in an interview conducted by the AXIS.
The most impressive partners? I would name three. Osvaldo (Piazza) whose contribution to our team has been invaluable. He combined power and determination, rigor and will to win. There wasn’t an iota of malice in him. He created the atmosphere within the group. A player and a man with a big heart.
I also really liked Georges (Bereta), a formidable fighter who never gave up. Fatigue seemed to have no hold on him. And then what impressive strength with his left foot!
Finally, Jean-Michel (Larqué). When I was clearing out, I was looking for it. He has inspired us so much confidence with his technical precision and his serenity. You gave him a ball, he didn’t miss it. A real safe!
A coach? Stjepan Bobek, my coach at Partizan Belgrade, striker in the 40s and 50s, was elected Partizan’s best player of all time, the most prolific scorer in the Yugoslav selection. He has made his mark on the club, leaving an indelible mark and contributing to his extraordinary record. I had a chance to evolve under his orders in the late 60’s before he left for Greece. A very loyal, very warm man, a wonderful technician. And then of course Robert Herbin, an exceptional, eminently respectable man to whom I was very attached. We talked a lot. We respected each other. I was somewhere a little bit the relay of him on the ground.
Worst memory? The final in Glasgow that we probably lost in the days after qualifying against PSV Eindhoven. Psychologically, we made a mistake. We said to ourselves: “here, we did it”. However, it was just one stop on the way to the trophy.
ASSE and the city of Saint-Étienne that marked me for life. I have had wonderful years there. It was my home! Engraved for life. France, and in particular, is my second homeland. I come back regularly. Always with the same pleasure. In Saint-Étienne I still have many faithful friends.
The accolades I received in France made me proud and happy. I don’t know if I deserved all these honors but, believe me, they were very emotional moments. In addition to the Gold Medal of the City of Saint-Étienne, I was awarded the National Order of Merit under the presidency of François Mitterrand and made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor under the presidency of Jacques Chirac. Without forgetting the gold medal for Youth and Sport”.
