Alberto Górriz
Encyclopedia
Alberto Górriz Echarte (born 16 February 1958) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played mainly as a central defender.
His main asset was his tremendous heading ability, and he often scored from set pieces
. He spent his entire career with Real Sociedad
, appearing in nearly 600 official games and winning four major titles.
Górriz represented Spain
at the 1990 World Cup
.
youth graduate, Górriz was born in Irun
, Gipuzkoa, and played solely for the Basque
outfit, making his first team debuts during 1978–79 (on 8 April 1979, in a 4–0 away win against Rayo Vallecano
). From his third season - where Real won the La Liga
title - onwards, he was a defensive stalwart until 1991–92, with 31 matches as his minimum output, often being partnered by Agustín Gajate
, whom also only played for one professional club, also during 15 years.
Górriz retired in June 1993, having appeared in 461 top flight matches (599 overall, club best). His last season was also the old Atotxa Stadium's last. With the Spanish national team
, he received 12 caps
, and made his debut on 16 November 1988 at already 30, in a decisive 1990 FIFA World Cup
qualifier
against the Republic of Ireland
, in Seville
(2–0 win).
Being subsequently picked for the final stages in Italy
, Górriz scored his only national side goal, in the 2–1 group stage win over Belgium, heading home a free kick
from Real Madrid
's Míchel.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who played mainly as a central defender.
His main asset was his tremendous heading ability, and he often scored from set pieces
Set piece (football)
The term set piece or set play is used in association football and rugby to refer to a situation when the ball is returned to open play following a stoppage, particularly in a forward area of the pitch. Most often, the term is used to refer to free kicks and corners, but sometimes throw-ins. Many...
. He spent his entire career with Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
, appearing in nearly 600 official games and winning four major titles.
Górriz represented Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
at the 1990 World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
.
Football career
A Real SociedadReal Sociedad
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in the city of San Sebastián, Basque Country, founded on 7 September 1909...
youth graduate, Górriz was born in Irun
Irun
Irun is a town of the Bidasoa-Txingudi region in the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Autonomous Community, Spain...
, Gipuzkoa, and played solely for the Basque
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
outfit, making his first team debuts during 1978–79 (on 8 April 1979, in a 4–0 away win against Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
). From his third season - where Real won the La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
title - onwards, he was a defensive stalwart until 1991–92, with 31 matches as his minimum output, often being partnered by Agustín Gajate
Agustín Gajate
José Agustín Gajate Vidriales is a former Spanish footballer, in the central defender position.Not a skilled player , Gajate excelled in man-marking, and played for Real Sociedad's first team for 15 years.-Football career:A Real Sociedad youth graduate, Gajate played solely for the Basque outfit,...
, whom also only played for one professional club, also during 15 years.
Górriz retired in June 1993, having appeared in 461 top flight matches (599 overall, club best). His last season was also the old Atotxa Stadium's last. With the Spanish national team
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, he received 12 caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
, and made his debut on 16 November 1988 at already 30, in a decisive 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
qualifier
1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
The European zone of qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup saw 32 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. UEFA members Italy qualified automatically as hosts of the finals. The qualification process started on 21 May 1988 and ended on 18 November 1989.-Format:Teams were drawn into seven...
against the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
, in Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
(2–0 win).
Being subsequently picked for the final stages in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Górriz scored his only national side goal, in the 2–1 group stage win over Belgium, heading home a free kick
Direct free kick
A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football following a foul. Unlike an indirect free kick, a goal may be scored directly against the opposing side without the ball having first touched another player.-Award:...
from Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
's Míchel.
Honours
- Spanish LeagueLa LigaThe Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
: 1980–81, 1981–82 - Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 1986–87 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 1982