Vladimir Vacatko was born in the former Czechoslovakia. He played as a forward for the West German national team at every World Championship between 1976 and 1981, scoring 10 goals in 42 games und during this period also participated at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics. In the West German national league Vacatko played for several clubs, winning the championship with Düsseldorfer EG in 1972 and 1975 and with SB Rosenheim in 1982. After having played for teams in lower divisions he retired in 1993 at age 40. A centre, in his club career he scored 422 goals in 611 games. Vacatko died after a lengthy illness shortly before his 64th birthday.
West Germany