Evgeni Mayorov, whose biography is presented in this article, is the legendary Soviet hockey player, striker of the Moscow “Spartak” and the USSR national team. During his career, he won the Olympic gold medal and world champion. After leaving sports, he worked as a commentator and journalist.
First steps in sports
Mayorov Yevgeny Aleksandrovich was born in February 1938 in Moscow with his twin brother Boris. From early childhood, boys fell in love with sports and all the time went to watch the games of their favorite Spartak team. Soon they were enrolled in the red-white children's team.
In the summer, they played football, and in winter they played hockey. Over time, it was in the winter sport that they both greatly excelled.
And it all started when Yevgeny Mayorov and his brother were taken by an experienced mentor, Alexander Igumnov. Under his leadership, over time, the legends of Soviet hockey grew out of boys.
Professional career
In 1956, Eugene Mayorov became a player in the Moscow “Spartak”. And not only the hockey team, but also the football team, for which in the 1958/1959 season he spent several matches in the backup. However, hockey remained a priority sport for Eugene.
In the 60s of the last century, the striker of the Moscow “Spartak”, consisting of the Mayorov brothers and Vyacheslav Starshinov, was considered one of the best in the championship of the Soviet Union. They scored a lot of decisive goals, including Evgeny's goal against the USSR’s most powerful team - CSKA Moscow.
Only “Spartak” was able to impose serious competition on “CSKA”, which included almost the entire national team, but in 1962 and 1967 it was the “red-white” who won the domestic championship.
However, just after the second championship and a conflict with the legendary coach Tarasov, Evgeni Mayorov decided to end his playing career. At that time he was only 29 years old. In total, in the “Spartak” striker held 260 fights, in which he managed to score 127 goals.
Speeches for the USSR national team
For the first time, hockey player Evgeni Mayorov and his twin brother Boris received a call to the Soviet youth team in 1959. After that there was a team of clubs, and then the main team. The attacking “Spartak” link, consisting of the Mayorov brothers and Starshinov, was noted not only by teamwork, but also by constant improvisation and unpredictability.
The first awards were not long in coming. In 1961, Mayorov became the bronze medalist at the World Championships in Switzerland, and two years later - the winner of the world and continental championships in Sweden.
1964 was truly “golden” for both Eugene and the entire USSR team. At the Olympic Games in Innsbruck, the Red Car did not leave any chance to its competitors and confidently took first place. In parallel with the Olympic gold medals, the USSR national team players received the same awards for the world and European championships.
A tangible contribution to the victory of the Soviet team was made by the attacking troika of Spartak. On the account of Evgeny Mayorov - 3 abandoned goals and 3 assists in 6 fights. I especially remember the goal against Canadians. The striker not only equalized, but also inspired partners for a major victory.
Life after hockey
After the end of his playing career, Evgeni Mayorov in 1967 was appointed head coach of the Moscow “Spartak”, with whom he won silver medals of the USSR Championship.
A year later, he left for Finland, where he became a playing coach at the Wehmeisten Urheiliat club. In its composition, Eugene spent 16 fights, in which he scored two goals.
Finally parting with a gaming career, Mayorov worked for a while as a sports commentator on television. In 1972, he assumed the post of director of the Moscow Sports School "Spartak".
In the early 1980s, the legendary sports commentator Nikolai Ozerov turned to him with a proposal to work on television again. Under his leadership, Eugene Mayorov comprehended journalistic skills. In the shortest possible time, he became one of the most popular sports commentators in the Soviet Union.
Maiorov differed from his colleagues primarily in his vision of hockey from the inside. As a former professional athlete, in his broadcasts he could describe in detail every game moment, as well as respond quickly to changes in tactical arrangements of teams.
