Russian ice hockey legend Viktor Tikhonov has died in Moscow aged 84 following a long-term illness.
After a glittering playing career, notably with CSKA Moscow and the national team, Tikhonov became one of his nation’s most decorated coaches.
He guided the Soviet Union to world domination winning eight world cups between 1978 and 1990.
He also coached the Soviet team to gold at the 1984, ’88 and ’92 Winter Olympics.
The only stain on an otherwise dazzling coaching career came at the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid.
The heavily-favoured Soviets suffered an embarrassing defeat in the semi-finals against an American side made up largely of college amateurs.
The game has been dubbed the ‘Miracle on Ice’.
As a player he won four Soviet titles between 1951-54 and helped CSKA Moscow to 13 consecutive domestic league crowns from 1977.