Hovhannes Zanazanyan Captain of Legendary Ararat-73 Passes Away

YEREVAN — Renowned football player, captain of the legendary Ararat-73 team Hovhannes Zanazanyan, has passed away on Sunday October 4 at the age of 69.

Zanazanyan died after a severe and prolonged illness, the press service of the Armenian Football Federation reports.

Hovhannes Zanazanyan was born in 1946 in Athens-Greece. He achieved his greatest success when he was playing for Ararat Yerevan. As captain of the his team, Zanazanyan became champion of the USSR in 1973, runner-up in 1971 and winner of the USSR Cup twice in 1973 and 1975. He also played for the Soviet national soccer team and became an Olympic bronze medal winner with Team USSR in 1972.

Zanazanyan enjoyed great popularity both during and after his active career along with other Ararat-73 stars. After ending his career as player he worked with different teams as a coach. In 2013, Zanazanyan was awarded a first-degree medal “For Services to the Homeland”.