Vladimir Cvetković
 Cvetković with Yugoslavia at the 1968 Olympics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 24 May 1941 Loznica, German-occupied Serbia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 6 May 2026 (aged 84) Belgrade, Serbia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 90 kg (198 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA draft | 1963: undrafted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 1959–1972 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1959–1972 | Crvena zvezda | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Vladimir "Cvele" Cvetković (Serbian Cyrillic: Владимир Цветковић; 24 May 1941 – 6 May 2026) was a Serbian basketball player and sports administrator who was the honorary president of Crvena zvezda. He spent his entire playing career with Crvena zvezda, winning two National Championships and one National Cup in 13 seasons at the club.[1]
Cvetković's historical free-throws
The Yugoslav national team won their first Olympic medal in Mexico in 1968.[2] The Yugoslavs played well and placed themselves into the semifinals where they played versus the Soviet Union. In a clash between basketball David and Goliath, in front of 22.000 supporters who gave their sympathies to David, i.e. Yugoslav team, the key man of the match was player of KK Crvena zvezda, Vladimir Cvetković.
Seven seconds before the end of the match, at the result 61–60 for Yugoslavia, Cvetković scored two free throws for 63–61. In between the free throws, he kissed his wedding band for good luck. The Soviets had enough time to reduce to 63–62, but not enough time to avoid defeat. The celebration of the host for the victory of the Yugoslav team quickly hauled from the hall to the streets of Ciudad Mexico and lasted till daybreak.
The team of the USA was a too strong rival in the finals and the Yugoslav team was defeated with 50–65 scoring the second place in the basketball tournament.
Death
Cvetković died in Belgrade, Serbia on 6 May 2026, at the age of 84.[3]
See also
- List of father-and-son combinations who have played for Crvena zvezda
- List of KK Crvena zvezda players with 100 games played
- Yugoslav First Federal Basketball League career stats leaders
- KK Crvena zvezda accomplishments and records
- List of Yugoslav First Federal Basketball League annual scoring leaders
References
- ↑ "Preminuo Vladimir Cvetković Cvele". Nedeljnik, 6 May 2026.
- ↑ Vladimir Cvetkovic at Sports Reference Sports References
- ↑ "Vladimir Cvetković". Novosti.rs, 6 May 2026.
Sources
- Veliki Vladimir at mojacrvenazvezda.net
External links
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- 1941 births
- 2026 deaths
- 1963 FIBA World Championship players
- 1967 FIBA World Championship players
- Basketball players at the 1964 Summer Olympics
- Basketball players at the 1968 Summer Olympics
- Competitors at the 1967 Mediterranean Games
- Forwards (basketball)
- KK Crvena zvezda players
- Medalists at the 1968 Summer Olympics
- Mediterranean Games gold medalists for Yugoslavia
- Mediterranean Games medalists in basketball
- Olympic medalists in basketball
- Olympic basketball players for Yugoslavia
- Olympic silver medalists for Yugoslavia
- Red Star Belgrade non-playing staff
- Serbian sports executives and administrators
- Serbian men's basketball players
- Socialist Party of Serbia politicians
- Sportspeople from Loznica
- Yugoslav men's basketball players