Ivanescu was 85 years old, suffering from glandular cancer. This was confirmed by the Romanian’s family on Friday (April 1, 2022). Ivanescu was national coach from 1987 to 1989.
Ivanescu, twice world champion as a player (1961 and 1964) and 13 times Romanian champion, came to Germany in 1966 and from then on celebrated great successes, especially as a coach. He won three German championships and four cups with Gummersbach and TUSEM Essen in the 80s and 90s. In addition, the teacher Heiner Brands won the European Cup with Gummersbach in 1983.
Appreciation of ex-players
His former protégé Heiner Brand, veteran of VfL Gummersbach, paid tribute to the deceased. “I often fought with him, but we always found a common path”said the 1978 World Champion: “He was an excellent professional with a pronounced handball expertise. A person of absolute respect.”
National coach Alfred Gislason, who played at TUSEM Essen under Ivanescu from 1983 to 1988, agreed: “A fantastic coach, without a doubt. Petre Ivanescu made TUSEM Essen a top team in Europe. He was a sophisticated person and incredibly consistent.”
Handball passion into old age
Ivanescu had significantly less success as national coach. At first he seemed to have set up the second-class DHB selection at the time, but the hoped-for renaissance ended in a debacle at the 1989 B-WM in France. The German team crashed into the third division.
Even in old age Ivanescu pursued the handball with passion. He leaves behind two children.
Source: sid