Ismael Urtubi
Encyclopedia
Ismael Urtubi Aróstegui (born 24 May 1961 in Barakaldo
, Biscay
) is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as a left midfielder
.
An accomplished penalty kick
taker, his entire professional career was spent with Athletic Bilbao
, with which he appeared in nearly 300 official games, winning four major titles, including two La Liga
championships.
's youth system, Lezama
. On 2 November 1980, he made his debut with the first team, playing two minutes in a 1–1 draw at Sporting de Gijón
, in what would be his only La Liga
appearance of the season.
In the 1981 summer, Urtubi moved to the Balearic Islands
for his compulsory military service
, spending a few months playing with RCD Mallorca
in Segunda División
, and finishing the season with amateurs CD Margaritense
, in both cases on loan. Upon his return, he wasted no time making an impact in the Lions first team, scoring 13 goals in 62 games combined as the Basque
won back-to-back national championships, conquering the double in the latter season.
In the 1985 Copa del Rey
final, against Atlético Madrid, referee Miguel Pérez awarded the Colchoneros a penalty kick
, after a controversial handball by Urtubi - Bibao eventually lost it 1–2. In the following league campaign, the team finished in third position, with the player missing his first penalty ever, against Hércules CF
, and manager Javier Clemente
was also fired, after five highly successful years.
Urtubi continued to be an undisputed starter with the following coaches, José Ángel Iribar
and Howard Kendall
, with Athletic finishing 13th and 4th, respectively, and reaching the semifinals of the domestic cup in 1987, bowing out to neighbouring Real Sociedad
. On 15 February 1989, during a cup match against Real Valladolid
, he suffered a severe injury in his left knee
(posterior cruciate ligament
, external and internal meniscus
), but astonishingly recovered fully in a short period of time, although he later suffered a relapse.
In the 1989–90 season, manager Txetxu Rojo, a former Athletic player and assistant coach during Kendall's spell, suggested Urtubi gained match fitness with the reserves. After the player refused, he would make no more official appearances, but saw his importance in the squad increase after Clemente returned in June 1990, after elections at the club brought a new chairman.
On 16 March 1991, after a 0–2 away loss against CD Castellón
(in the previous matchday, Bilbao lost 0–6 at home against FC Barcelona
), Clemente was fired, in what was Urtubi's last match in the Spanish top division. In 1991–92, his output consisted of one cup match against Deportivo Alavés
, scoring Athletic's goal through a penalty - 1–1 draw in Álava
- and leaving the club after ten full seasons as a professional, amassing totals of 277 games and 37 goals.
Urtubi ended his career in 1995 at the age of 34, after playing amateur football with local sides Balmaseda and Zalla UC
. Ten years later, he had his first coaching experience, leading CD Mirandés
to the second position in Tercera División
.
, Urtubi gained the first of his two caps
with Spain
, starting in a 1–3 loss against Scotland
for the 1986 FIFA World Cup
qualifiers
.
Two months later, he replaced Barcelona's Julio Alberto in the dying minutes of a 3–1 friendly win with Finland
, in a match played in Valencia.
Barakaldo
Barakaldo , is a municipality in the Basque Country in Spain. It is located in the Biscay province, administratively included in the "Basque Autonomous Community", on the left bank of the Estuary of Bilbao.Barakaldo is part of Bilbao's metropolitan area , and its official population...
, Biscay
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
) is a retired Spanish
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 as a 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...
.
An accomplished penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
taker, his entire professional career was spent with 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...
, with which he appeared in nearly 300 official games, winning four major titles, including two 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...
championships.
Club career
Urtubi grew in Athletic BilbaoAthletic 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...
's youth system, Lezama
Lezama
Lezama is a town and municipality located in the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, northern Spain. It is home to the training headquarters of the football team Athletic Bilbao, and is accessible by bus - BizkaiBus - from Bilbao.-External links:*...
. On 2 November 1980, he made his debut with the first team, playing two minutes in a 1–1 draw at Sporting de Gijón
Sporting de Gijón
Real Sporting de Gijón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club from Gijón, Asturias. Founded in 1 June 1905, it currently plays in Spanish first division....
, in what would be his only 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...
appearance of the season.
In the 1981 summer, Urtubi moved to the Balearic Islands
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
for his compulsory military service
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
, spending a few months playing with RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
in Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
, and finishing the season with amateurs CD Margaritense
CD Margaritense
Club Deportivo Margaritense is a Spanish football team based in Santa Margalida, Majorca, in the autonomous community of Balearic Islands. Founded in 1955, it plays in Primera Regional Preferente de Mallorca, holding home games at Estadio Antoni Quetglas, with a 2,500-seat capacity.-External links:*...
, in both cases on loan. Upon his return, he wasted no time making an impact in the Lions first team, scoring 13 goals in 62 games combined as 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....
won back-to-back national championships, conquering the double in the latter season.
In the 1985 Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey
The 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 ....
final, against Atlético Madrid, referee Miguel Pérez awarded the Colchoneros a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
, after a controversial handball by Urtubi - Bibao eventually lost it 1–2. In the following league campaign, the team finished in third position, with the player missing his first penalty ever, against Hércules CF
Hércules CF
Hércules Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Alicante, in the autonomous community of Valencia. Founded in 1922, it currently plays in the Spanish second division, and holds home games at the Estadio José Rico Pérez, which seats 30,000 spectators.-History:After first...
, and manager Javier Clemente
Javier Clemente
Javier Clemente Lázaro, is a Spanish football manager. The veteran La Liga manager has spent most of his career at two clubs: Athletic Bilbao and RCD Espanyol. Between 1992 and 1998, he managed Spain and went 31 games unbeaten. He was also the the first foreign manager of Serbia. His most recent...
was also fired, after five highly successful years.
Urtubi continued to be an undisputed starter with the following coaches, José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribar Cortajarena, nicknamed El Chopo , is a retired Spanish football goalkeeper and manager....
and Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall
Howard Kendall is an English football manager and former player. He is most famous for his connection to Everton, a club that he both played for and managed. His uncle Harry Taylor played for Newcastle United and Fulham in the 1950s....
, with Athletic finishing 13th and 4th, respectively, and reaching the semifinals of the domestic cup in 1987, bowing out to neighbouring 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...
. On 15 February 1989, during a cup match against Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
, he suffered a severe injury in his left knee
Knee
The knee joint joins the thigh with the leg and consists of two articulations: one between the fibula and tibia, and one between the femur and patella. It is the largest joint in the human body and is very complicated. The knee is a mobile trocho-ginglymus , which permits flexion and extension as...
(posterior cruciate ligament
Posterior cruciate ligament
The posterior cruciate ligament is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It connects the posterior intercondylar area of the tibia to the medial condyle of the femur...
, external and internal meniscus
Meniscus
The meniscus is the curve in the upper surface of a liquid close to the surface of the container or another object, caused by surface tension. It can be either convex or concave. A convex meniscus occurs when the molecules have a stronger attraction to each other than to the material of the...
), but astonishingly recovered fully in a short period of time, although he later suffered a relapse.
In the 1989–90 season, manager Txetxu Rojo, a former Athletic player and assistant coach during Kendall's spell, suggested Urtubi gained match fitness with the reserves. After the player refused, he would make no more official appearances, but saw his importance in the squad increase after Clemente returned in June 1990, after elections at the club brought a new chairman.
On 16 March 1991, after a 0–2 away loss against CD Castellón
CD Castellón
Club Deportivo Castellón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Castellón de la Plana, in the Valencian Community. Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Tercera División – Group 6, holding home games at Nou Estadi Castalia, which has a capacity of 16,000.-History:Football first appeared in...
(in the previous matchday, Bilbao lost 0–6 at home against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
), Clemente was fired, in what was Urtubi's last match in the Spanish top division. In 1991–92, his output consisted of one cup match against Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés
Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D., usually abbreviated to Alavés, is a Spanish football club based in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1921, it plays in Segunda División B, holding home matches at the 19,500-seater Estadio Mendizorrotza....
, scoring Athletic's goal through a penalty - 1–1 draw in Álava
Álava
Álava is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Álava. Its capital city is Vitoria-Gasteiz which is also the capital of the autonomous community...
- and leaving the club after ten full seasons as a professional, amassing totals of 277 games and 37 goals.
Urtubi ended his career in 1995 at the age of 34, after playing amateur football with local sides Balmaseda and Zalla UC
Zalla UC
Zalla Unión Club is a Spanish football team based in Zalla, in the autonomous community of Basque Country. Founded in 1925, it plays in Tercera División - Group 4, holding home games at Estadio Landaberri, with a capacity of 3,500 seats....
. Ten years later, he had his first coaching experience, leading CD Mirandés
CD Mirandés
Club Deportivo Mirandés is a Spanish football team based in Miranda de Ebro, Province of Burgos, in the autonomous community of Castile and León...
to the second position in Tercera División
Tercera División
Tercera División is the fourth level of the Spanish football league system. The top three are the Primera División, often referred to as "La Liga" in English, the Segunda División, and Segunda División B.-Current Format:...
.
International career
On 14 November 1984, in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Urtubi gained the first of his two 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...
with 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...
, starting in a 1–3 loss against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
for the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
qualifiers
1986 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone . For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification....
.
Two months later, he replaced Barcelona's Julio Alberto in the dying minutes of a 3–1 friendly win with Finland
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
, in a match played in Valencia.
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...
: 1982–83, 1983–84 - 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 ....
: 1983–84 - Spanish SupercupSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 1984