Stefan Birtalan (age 75), a two-time world champion and the best handball player in the world in 1974, 1976 and 1977, is going through extremely difficult times. The Olympic vice-champion of Montreal in 1976 has serious health problems and has been in the hospital at the Fundeny Clinical Institute for more than four months.

Stefan BirtalanPhoto: GSP

One of Romania’s greatest champions, handball player Stefan Birtalan, is going through difficult times. In 2008, he underwent a liver transplant to survive. For 15 years after the surgery, he did not have any problems, but in a few months the situation changed and his health deteriorated.

“My liver has failed! It no longer works as it should and I live in real pain,” says Birtalan, his voice laced with anguish, when Gazeta Sporturilor called him.

“For four months I was hospitalized in Fundeni Hospital… Every three weeks I stay here for tests, medicines, then they leave me at home for a week,” the former great world champion continues.

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