Ștefan Birtalan

Ştefan Birtalan (25 September 1948 – 27 May 2024) was a Romanian handball player, coach and sports official.

Birtalan was one of the best players of his time and was named the World Player of the Year in 1974, 1976 and 1977. He spent most of his club career with Steaua București, winning with them 12 Romanian championships and the European Champions Cup in 1977. He also won the world title in 1970 and 1974, becoming the top scorer at the 1974 tournament with 43 goals. He participated in the 1972, 1976 and 1980 Olympics winning one silver and 2 bronze medals.

As a teenager he trained in handball, volleyball, basketball and athletics. He debuted in handball aged 16 with the team Rapid CFR Jibou. In 1966, he moved to Baia Mare to study civil engineering. There he first played volleyball and in 1967 changed to handball. From 1970 to 1985 he competed for Steaua Bucharest, with an interruption between 1981 and 1983. With Steaua he won the 1977 EHF Champions League title, finishing second in 1971, and 12 national titles. In 1966, he was included to the junior and in 1968 to the senior national handball team.

Birtalan died on 27 May 2024, at the age of 75.

International achievements EHF Champions League: Winner: 1977 Finalist: 1971 World Championship: Gold Medalist: 1970, 1974 Summer Olympics: Silver Medalist: 1976 Bronze Medalist: 1972, 1980 World University Championship: Gold Medalist: 1973, 1975

National achievements Player Steaua București Romanian National League: Winner: 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985 Romanian Cup: Winner: 1981, 1985

Manager Steaua București Romanian National League: Winner: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2000, 2001 Romanian Cup: Winner: 1990, 2000, 2001

Individual awards and honours IHF 3× IHF World Player of the Year: 1974, 1976, 1977 World Championship Top Scorer: 1974 Summer Olympics Top Scorer: 1976

National 3× Romanian Sportsman of the Year: 1974, 1976, 1977