Bittor Alkiza
Encyclopedia
Bittor Alkiza Fernández (born 28 October 1970) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played for both Real Sociedad
and Athletic Bilbao
.
Although its natural position was that of left midfielder
, he could also play as a central one. He had a more than remarkable technique and a powerful mid-range shot coming in second line, combined with good passing and tackling abilities.
Over the course of 14 seasons, Alkiza amassed La Liga
totals of 417 games and 19 goals.
, Gipuzkoa, Alkiza made his professional debuts with local giants Real Sociedad
, being promoted to the first team at only 20, and amassing more than 100 official appearances in his first three seasons (92 in La Liga
).
After an aborted transfer to Real Madrid
, he eventually moved to Basque
neighbours Athletic Bilbao
in the 1994 summer, for 220 million pesetas
. Here too he was an automatic first-choice, not scoring so often as the offensive duties in midfield were more often than not the task of future Athletic great Julen Guerrero
. In the 1997–98 season, Alkiza only missed one game, playing 3146 minutes, as the club finished in second place and qualified for the UEFA Champions League
; in the subsequent competition, even though Athletic ranked last in its group, it did draw 0–0 at home against Juventus FC
, the finalist of the previous three editions, with him playing the full 90 minutes.
In the 2003 summer, after more than 300 official appearances for Athletic, Alkiza returned to Real Sociedad, who was due taking part in the season's Champions League. At 33, his first season was satisfactory, but he eventually retired from the game the following year, after not being able to heal a degenerative injury from early seasons. Both teams combined, he surpassed the 500-games mark.
Alkiza later rejoined his last professional club, being charged with Real Sociedad's youth teams.
, in a two-month span. His debut came on 23 September 1998, in a friendly with Russia
, in Granada
. He scored the game's only goal, netting from outside the area.
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 for both 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...
and Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
.
Although its natural position was that of left midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, he could also play as a central one. He had a more than remarkable technique and a powerful mid-range shot coming in second line, combined with good passing and tackling abilities.
Over the course of 14 seasons, Alkiza amassed 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...
totals of 417 games and 19 goals.
Club career
Born in San SebastiánSan Sebastián
Donostia-San Sebastián is a city and municipality located in the north of Spain, in the coast of the Bay of Biscay and 20 km away from the French border. The city is the capital of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. The municipality’s population is 186,122 , and its...
, Gipuzkoa, Alkiza made his professional debuts with local giants 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...
, being promoted to the first team at only 20, and amassing more than 100 official appearances in his first three seasons (92 in 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...
).
After an aborted transfer to 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...
, he eventually moved to 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....
neighbours Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
in the 1994 summer, for 220 million pesetas
Spanish peseta
The peseta was the currency of Spain between 1869 and 2002. Along with the French franc, it was also a de facto currency used in Andorra .- Etymology :...
. Here too he was an automatic first-choice, not scoring so often as the offensive duties in midfield were more often than not the task of future Athletic great Julen Guerrero
Julen Guerrero
Julen Guerrero López is a retired Spanish footballer who played solely for Athletic Club de Bilbao.Ambidextrous, the attacking midfielder was mainly known for his skills and shooting ability...
. In the 1997–98 season, Alkiza only missed one game, playing 3146 minutes, as the club finished in second place and qualified for the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
; in the subsequent competition, even though Athletic ranked last in its group, it did draw 0–0 at home against Juventus FC
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
, the finalist of the previous three editions, with him playing the full 90 minutes.
In the 2003 summer, after more than 300 official appearances for Athletic, Alkiza returned to Real Sociedad, who was due taking part in the season's Champions League. At 33, his first season was satisfactory, but he eventually retired from the game the following year, after not being able to heal a degenerative injury from early seasons. Both teams combined, he surpassed the 500-games mark.
Alkiza later rejoined his last professional club, being charged with Real Sociedad's youth teams.
International career
Alkiza played thrice for SpainSpain 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...
, in a two-month span. His debut came on 23 September 1998, in a friendly with Russia
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
, in Granada
Granada
Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, the Beiro, the Darro and the Genil. It sits at an elevation of 738 metres above sea...
. He scored the game's only goal, netting from outside the area.
Personal
- Alkiza's father, Juan Alkiza, also played for some years with Real Sociedad, later serving as the club's presidentPresidentA president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
. He was also a relatively important local politician. - He broke the "curse" that stated that players from Real would never succeed at Athletic (LorenLorenzo Juarros GarcíaLorenzo Juarros García , aka Loren, is a retired Spanish professional footballer who played as either a central defender or striker....
, Luciano Iturrino or David VillabonaDavid VillabonaDavid Villabona Echalecu is a retired Spanish footballer who played mostly as a central midfielder....
). - Coach Javier IruretaJavier IruretaJavier Iruretagoyena Amiano , Irureta for short, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a forward, and a current manager....
, who managed him at Athletic in 1994–95, said of Alkiza: "I guarantee that if you pass him the ball he will not return a melon".