Sebastián Eguren
Encyclopedia
Sebastián Eguren Ledesma (born 8 January 1981 in Montevideo
) is an Uruguay
an footballer who plays for Sporting de Gijón
in La Liga
, mainly as a defensive midfielder.
(twice) and Club Nacional de Football
. With the latter, after the 0–0 Libertadores Cup match against Ecuador
's Club Deportivo El Nacional
, on 12 February 2004, he tested positive for cocaine
, being suspended from football for six months. He blamed the coca tea
, which is widely drunk in the Andean
countries (as a medicine which alleviates the effects of altitude
), and got the shortest suspension for this kind of cases (this specific match was played at 2,800 meters above sea level, in Quito
).
Eguren arrived at Hammarby IF
from Norwegian
club Rosenborg BK, on loan during the later part of the 2006 season and, on 5 December 2006, signed a three-year contract with the club. At the Swedish
side, he quickly became a fan favourite.
On 30 January 2008, Eguren signed a loan deal with Villarreal CF
of the Spanish
La Liga
, until the end of the season. Almost immediately cast into the starting XI, he partnered Brazil
ian-born Marcos Senna
in centre midfield, as the Yellow Submarine obtained its best position ever in the topflight (second). In May 2008, Villarreal decided to buy Eguren, whom penned a three-year deal.
During 2008–09, more of the same: Eguren was, alongside Senna, an everpresent fixture, as the Uruguayan netted his first goal for the club, in a 3–3 home draw against Getafe CF
(with the Madrid
side leading 0–3 at the half-hour mark). He played 32 league matches in his first full season.
In late January 2010, as he had lost his defensive midfielder position to club graduate Bruno
, Eguren was loaned to S.S. Lazio
. However, the move was cancelled days later, after the player did not pass his medical.
Anxious for playing time in order to secure a spot on the national squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, Eguren signed with reigning Swedish
champions AIK Fotboll
on February 19, 2010. According to Björn Wesström, the club's director of football
, the agreement was not technically not a loan deal, as the player had no contractual obligations with Villareal until 1 July 2010; however, he was due to return to the Spanish side, since he still had 12 months left of his contract. In early March, it was decided by the club to put the player under police protection, after he was harassed while training by fans of former side Hammarby, a fierce rival to AIK. Usually operating as a defensive midfielder; at AIK, however, manager Mikael Stahre
preferred using him in an attacking midfielder or deep-lying forward role.
In late July 2010, Eguren returned to Spain, but not to Villarreal, signing a three-year contract with fellow first-divisioner Sporting de Gijón
.
during the 2001 Copa América, entering the pitch in the 63rd minute of a 1–0 win against Bolivia
, and added a further two appearances in the competition.
On 28 May 2008, after a five-year absence, he scored his first goal for the Charrúas, netting in a 2–2 friendly with Norway
, in Oslo
. Egurén was also selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
in South Africa
, playing once for the semifinalists (two minutes in the group stage 0–0 draw against France
).
Always as a substitute, Eguren was used regularly in the 2011 Copa América
, as Uruguay won its 15th continental tournament.
| 1. || 28 May 2008 || Ullevaal Stadion
, Oslo
, Norway || || 1–2 || 2–2 || Friendly
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 2. || 20 August 2008 || Sapporo Dome
, Sapporo, Japan || || 0–1 || 1–3 || Friendly
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 3. || 6 September 2008 || El Campín
, Bogotá
, Colombia || || 0–1 || 0–1 || 2010 World Cup qualification
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 4. || 11 February 2009 || June 11 Stadium
, Tripoli
, Libya || || 0–1 || 2–3 || Friendly
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 5. || 9 September 2009 || Estadio Centenario
, Montevideo
, Uruguay || || 3–1 || 3–1 || 2010 World Cup qualification
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 6. || 8 October 2010 || Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
, Indonesia || || 1–4 || 1–7 || Friendly
|}
, Eguren did not count as a foreign player, due to the fact he was married to a Swedish woman. He did not master the Swedish language
however.
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
) is an Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an footballer who plays for 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 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...
, mainly as a defensive midfielder.
Club career
Eguren started his career in native Uruguay, playing for Montevideo WanderersMontevideo Wanderers F.C.
Montevideo Wanderers Fútbol Club, usually known simply as Wanderers is a Uruguayan football club based in Montevideo. The club are currently members of the Primera División and play at the Estadio Viera...
(twice) and Club Nacional de Football
Club Nacional de Football
Club Nacional de Football is a Uruguayan sports club based in Montevideo. It is best known for its professional football team, which plays in the Uruguayan Primera División....
. With the latter, after the 0–0 Libertadores Cup match against Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
's Club Deportivo El Nacional
Club Deportivo El Nacional
Club Deportivo "El Nacional" is a Ecuadorian sports club from Quito, known best for their professional football team. The team currently plays in the Serie A, the top-flight football league in the country....
, on 12 February 2004, he tested positive for cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
, being suspended from football for six months. He blamed the coca tea
Coca
Coca, Erythroxylum coca, is a plant in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to western South America. The plant plays a significant role in many traditional Andean cultures...
, which is widely drunk in the Andean
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
countries (as a medicine which alleviates the effects of altitude
Altitude
Altitude or height is defined based on the context in which it is used . As a general definition, altitude is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction, between a reference datum and a point or object. The reference datum also often varies according to the context...
), and got the shortest suspension for this kind of cases (this specific match was played at 2,800 meters above sea level, in Quito
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
).
Eguren arrived at Hammarby IF
Hammarby IF
Hammarby Fotboll is a Swedish football club based in Johanneshov - just south of Södermalm, the southernmost district of Stockholm city centre...
from Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
club Rosenborg BK, on loan during the later part of the 2006 season and, on 5 December 2006, signed a three-year contract with the club. At the Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
side, he quickly became a fan favourite.
On 30 January 2008, Eguren signed a loan deal with Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
of the 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...
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...
, until the end of the season. Almost immediately cast into the starting XI, he partnered Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian-born Marcos Senna
Marcos Senna
Marcos Antônio Senna da Silva , known as Senna, is a Spanish footballer who plays for Villarreal CF as a central midfielder.He is known for his passing range and long shooting and is also a penalty specialist.-Club career:...
in centre midfield, as the Yellow Submarine obtained its best position ever in the topflight (second). In May 2008, Villarreal decided to buy Eguren, whom penned a three-year deal.
During 2008–09, more of the same: Eguren was, alongside Senna, an everpresent fixture, as the Uruguayan netted his first goal for the club, in a 3–3 home draw against Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
(with the Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
side leading 0–3 at the half-hour mark). He played 32 league matches in his first full season.
In late January 2010, as he had lost his defensive midfielder position to club graduate Bruno
Bruno Soriano Llido
Bruno Soriano Llido , simply Bruno, is a Spanish footballer who plays for Villarreal CF in the Spanish first division, as a defensive midfielder.Left-footed, he can also operate as a left back....
, Eguren was loaned to S.S. Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
. However, the move was cancelled days later, after the player did not pass his medical.
Anxious for playing time in order to secure a spot on the national squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, Eguren signed with reigning Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
champions AIK Fotboll
AIK Fotboll
AIK, , an abbreviation for Allmänna Idrottsklubben, , when needed internationally AIK Stockholm, is a Swedish football club based at Råsunda stadium in Solna, a municipality in Stockholm County bordering to Stockholm City Centre...
on February 19, 2010. According to Björn Wesström, the club's director of football
Director of football
"Director of football" is a term describing a senior management figure at a football club, most commonly used in Europe. The exact nature of the role is often unclear and extremely variable and causes much debate in the sports media...
, the agreement was not technically not a loan deal, as the player had no contractual obligations with Villareal until 1 July 2010; however, he was due to return to the Spanish side, since he still had 12 months left of his contract. In early March, it was decided by the club to put the player under police protection, after he was harassed while training by fans of former side Hammarby, a fierce rival to AIK. Usually operating as a defensive midfielder; at AIK, however, manager Mikael Stahre
Mikael Stahre
Mikael Stahre is a Swedish football manager and the current manager of IFK Göteborg.-Management career:He was appointed as AIK's manager on 10 November 2008 immediately following the end of the 2008 AIK campaign under Rikard Norling...
preferred using him in an attacking midfielder or deep-lying forward role.
In late July 2010, Eguren returned to Spain, but not to Villarreal, signing a three-year contract with fellow first-divisioner 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....
.
International career
Eguren made his debut for UruguayUruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
during the 2001 Copa América, entering the pitch in the 63rd minute of a 1–0 win against Bolivia
Bolivia national football team
The Bolivia national football team is the national team of Bolivia and is controlled by the Federación Boliviana de Fútbol. After playing in the 1930 and 1950 World Cups, they qualified just once—in 1994...
, and added a further two appearances in the competition.
On 28 May 2008, after a five-year absence, he scored his first goal for the Charrúas, netting in a 2–2 friendly with Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
, in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. Egurén was also selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, playing once for the semifinalists (two minutes in the group stage 0–0 draw against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
).
Always as a substitute, Eguren was used regularly in the 2011 Copa América
2011 Copa América
The 2011 Campeonato Sudamericano Copa América, better known as the 2011 Copa América or the Copa América Argentina 2011, was the 43rd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for national teams in South America...
, as Uruguay won its 15th continental tournament.
International goals
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF| 1. || 28 May 2008 || Ullevaal Stadion
Ullevaal Stadion
Ullevaal Stadion is an all-seater football stadium located in Oslo, Norway. It is the home ground of Vålerenga IF and the Norway national football team, and the site of the Norwegian Cup Final. From its opening in 1926 to 2009 it was the home ground of FK Lyn. With a capacity of 25,572, it is the...
, Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Norway || || 1–2 || 2–2 || Friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 2. || 20 August 2008 || Sapporo Dome
Sapporo Dome
The is a stadium located in Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Japan, and is primarily used for baseball and football. It is the home field of the baseball team Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and the football club Consadole Sapporo.-History:...
, Sapporo, Japan || || 0–1 || 1–3 || Friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 3. || 6 September 2008 || El Campín
Estadio El Campín
The Nemesio Camacho Stadium, commonly known as El Campín, is the main stadium of Bogotá, Colombia. It is the home ground of the Independiente Santa Fe and Millonarios association football teams....
, Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, Colombia || || 0–1 || 0–1 || 2010 World Cup qualification
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL...
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 4. || 11 February 2009 || June 11 Stadium
June 11 Stadium
June 11 Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Tripoli, Libya, and is one of the largest stadiums in Africa. The name of the stadium commemorates the day in which American forces were asked to relinquish their military base rights in Libya and leave the country. It is mostly used for football...
, Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
, Libya || || 0–1 || 2–3 || Friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 5. || 9 September 2009 || Estadio Centenario
Estadio Centenario
Estadio Centenario is a stadium in Parque Batlle, Montevideo, Uruguay, used primarily for football. The stadium was built between 1929 and 1930 to host the 1930 FIFA World Cup, as well as to commemorate the centennial of Uruguay's first constitution...
, Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
, Uruguay || || 3–1 || 3–1 || 2010 World Cup qualification
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
The South American zone of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification saw 10 teams competing for places in the finals which were held in South Africa. The format is identical to that used for the previous three World Cup qualification tournaments held by CONMEBOL...
|- bgcolor=#DFE7FF
| 6. || 8 October 2010 || Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, Indonesia || || 1–4 || 1–7 || Friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
|}
Personal life
During most of his career in EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Eguren did not count as a foreign player, due to the fact he was married to a Swedish woman. He did not master the Swedish language
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
however.