Magnusson, 72 years, remembers the World Championship 1974 as "the most fun in his football life":
We had a lot of fun together, it was a joy to be together. He had a glint in his eye and was a really nice guy.
Benno Magnusson was also present in the stands in October 1969 when Ove Kindvall scored two goals against France at Råsunda and shot Sweden to the World Championship in Mexico 1970 - Sweden's first World Championship in twelve years and an achievement that made Kindvall awarded the Bragdguldet.
He takes four quick steps and pulls it up into the net. What a goal scorer!
Decided the European Cup final
IFK Norrköping, the club Kindvall in many ways was synonymous with, comments on his passing on their website:
"Today, the flag is waving at half mast by the statue, where we set up a memorial site for everyone to pay tribute and honor the city's great son."
Kindvall scored 100 goals in 178 matches in the Norrköping jersey.
The striker also had a long and successful career outside of Sweden. He was a professional in Dutch Feyenoord 1966-1971 where he scored 129 goals in 144 matches. In Feyenoord, he decided the European Cup final 1970, and won the World Championship for club teams the same year. He also received the Guldbollen 1966.
"One of the greatest"
Feyenoord is also mourning Kindvall. On their website, the club writes that the striker was "one of the greatest in the club's rich history":
"Feyenoord is forever grateful to Kindvall for his contribution to one of the most brilliant chapters in the club's history. His name will be forever remembered by generations of Feyenoord fans," they write.
Statue in Norrköping
In 2024, IFK Norrköping unveiled a statue of Ove Kindvall. Son Niclas Kindvall - also a top scorer for the club - said then:
"Football means a lot in Norrköping and dad has been important. Of course, you feel a pride and I know that dad does too."
Ove Kindvall became 82 years old.
Born: May 16, 1943.
Clubs: IFK Norrköping 1962-1966 and 1971-1975, Feyenoord (Netherlands) 1966-1971, IFK Göteborg 1975-1977.
National team: 43 A-international matches for Sweden 1965-1974, 16 goals.
Statistics: 259 goals in 380 club matches. 100 Allsvenskan goals in 178 matches in IFK Norrköping.
Main merits: Svenska Dagbladets Bragdguld 1969, Guldbollen 1966, elected to the Swedish Football Hall of Fame as number 29 in 2008, SM gold with IFK Norrköping 1963, Dutch champion with Feyenoord 1969 and 1971, Allsvenskan top scorer 1966, Dutch top scorer 1968, 1969 and 1971. Won the European Cup 1970.
