Rik Coppens(1930-2015)

Coppens is also known for the invention of the penalty kick in threes. During a preliminary round match in 1957 against Iceland, Belgium was leading 4-0 when Rik Coppens had to take a penalty kick. In a reflex he got the inspiration not to shoot the ball directly, but to pass to his teammate André Piters. He in turn passed the ball back to Coppens, who was able to shoot the ball into the empty goal. In all, between 1949 and 1959 he played 47 games for Belgium, scoring 21 goals.