People remember Vladimir Maslachenko as a wonderful commentator, but he was also an outstanding football player. He won the Soviet championships playing for Spartak Moscow, and was part of the Soviet squad that won the 1960 European Nations’ Cup, although he had only eight appearances in official matches for the national team. It was not that he lacked talent, but rather that the coaches just did not see any alternative to the legendary Lev Yashin. At the same time, Maslachenko regularly played in friendly matches.

By the way, Maslachenko is a member of the Lev Yashin Club of goalkeepers who achieved 100 clean sheets or more in official matches.

Maslachenko once said that he played as a goalkeeper from the very beginning. His first encounter with the game took place right after the Second World War. He was going to a doctor appointment, neatly clothed and combed, with his mother. On the way there was a football field. As they were walking he noticed how a clumsy goalie missed an easy save. This is when Maslachenko ran away from his mother to stand in the goal, and then proceed to make a save like the previous goalie had missed. This is how he became the goalkeeper of his neighborhood team.