Baltika Legend Viktor Grakov Passes Away at 72

Veteran of «Baltika,» Viktor Grakov, has passed away at the age of 73. This news was reported by the press service of the Kaliningrad club on their Telegram channel.

«The football club ‘Baltika’ extends its heartfelt condolences to Viktor Timofeevich’s family and loved ones. May he rest in peace!» the statement reads.

Grakov played as a midfielder for Baltika in the Soviet League, where he spent seven seasons with the team, appearing in 148 matches and scoring eight goals. After retiring from professional football, he became a children’s coach at the Baltika Youth Sports School, and since 2007, he served as an instructor at the Kaliningrad Sports School of the Olympic Reserve No. 5. Among his students is Vladislav Lazarev, who, alongside his team, achieved promotion to the Russian Premier League in 2023.