Vasile Zavoda was one of the greatest defenders in Romanian football history, earning 20 caps for Romania, beginning in 1951 against Czechoslovakia, and ending in 1962 in a match against East Germany. Zavoda played 257 games in the Romanian Divizia A, competing through 1964. He played for Metalul Baia Mare from 1947-51, then joined Steaua Bucureşti, staying with them until his final season, which he played for ASA Târgu Mureş. He later served as an assistant coach for Steaua Bucureşti from 1977-81.