Legendary Italian football commentator Bruno Pizzul passes away aged 86

Tributes are pouring in for legendary football commentator Bruno Pizzul after he passed away aged 86.

Pizzul was one of the beautiful game’s top broadcasters during his heyday.

The former player led the commentary for Italy’s national football team from 1986 to 2002.

And many fans remember him as the “voice of Italia 90” after stealing the show during that year’s World Cup tournament.

England supporters were left heartbroken when Stuart Pearce’s penalty miss against eventual winners West Germany saw the Three Lions crash out in the semis.

But Pizzul’s flamboyant commentary still made it a summer to remember as his own native Italy beat England in the third-place play-offs.

Pizzul started his football journey as a player in the 1950s with minnows Pro Gorizia and played in the 1960s with Catania and Cremonense.

He moved into broadcasting in 1969 and eventually became Italy’s national team commentator in 1986.

His last game came in 2002, and 20 years later Pizzul was awarded the title of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

Via The Sun