35 years
These days mark 35 years since the 1989 Revolution, an event that profoundly affected the course of Romanian society. Unfortunately, the freedom we gained came at a price, and among those who paid it and left us prematurely was Radu Durbac, one of the legendary players of Romanian rugby, captain of both Steaua and the National rugby teams, and later head coach of the military team.
Radu Durbac – known to rugby fans as Durby – played in over 400 domestic competitions, scoring more than 2.000 points and had 52 drafts for the Romanian national rugby team. Making his debut for the “Oaks" on October 27 1968 in a match against Czechoslovakia which was won 18-9 in the FIRA Cup - European Championship, Radu Durbac was on the field in the historic 15-10 victory over France obtained in Bucharest in October 1974. At the end of the match in which he managed a decisive pass and two penalty kicks, the French press praised him for his performance and at the end of that year he was declared the best Romanian rugby player with the French press naming him the European rugby player of the year. His debut as a coach happened in the 1978-1979 season as part of Steaua staff immediately after ending his career as a player. Perhaps the evolution of Romanian rugby would have taken a different path, but due to circumstances that will never be truly resolved, Radu Durbac left us prematurely.
After the start of the December 1989 Revolution, as an officer at CSA Steaua Bucharest he was mobilized along with his colleagues to the club's headquarters on Ghencea boulevard. He was shot under unclear circumstances in the courtyard of the military club on December 23, 1989, and died in hospital. He was declared a hero-martyr and was posthumously awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Just like every other year, the commemorative event brought together prominent names from the history of the military club as well as members of the bereaved family at the heroes' monument inside the Ghencea sports complex.
"My father was more than a role model for me, he inspired generations of players who grew up alongside him or trained under his tutelage on the fields of Ghencea. The fair-play specific to the sport which he practiced at the highest level, the elegance imposed by the position he had on the field and the determination to always be the best are principles that I follow and pass on to both my children and the company I run and which bears his nickname”, said Bobby Durbac, general director of Durby Sports Marketing.
19 dec 2024 20:00
