Javier Urruticoechea

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Francisco Javier González Urruticoechea (born San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, November 17, 1952, died Barcelona, May 24, 2001), also referred to as Javier Urruti or Urruti , was a Spanish/Basque footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Real Sociedad, RCD Español, FC Barcelona, Spain and the Euskadi XI. In 1981 he was declared Spanish Footballer of the Year by Don Balón and in 1984 he won the Zamora Trophy as the best goalkeeper in La Liga.

During his time at FC Barcelona he became a favourite of both the fans and his fellow players. At a club well known for goalkeepers like Ricardo Zamora, Franz Platko, Velasco and Ramallets, he became a legend. He also played for the club in the 1986 European Cup final. However before the final, the club had already secured the services of another Basque goalkeeper, Andoni Zubizarreta, signally the end of his career. He retired as a player in 1988 and subsequently worked as a goalkeeping coach at FC Barcelona. On May 24 2001, Urruti, aged only 48, died after his car hit the central barrier of a ring road near Barcelona. An annual golf tournament, the Trofero Javier Urruti is played in his honour.

[edit] Club Career

Urruti played as a junior with Lengokoak before joining San Sebastián CF, the reserve team of Real Sociedad in 1969. He made his debut with the senior Real team in 1973. In 1977 he joined RCD Español and it was while playing with them that he was won the Don Balón award. After four seasons with RCD Español, he moved across Barcelona to join FC Barcelona.

Along with Steve Archibald and Bernd Schuster, Urruti was a prominent member of the FC Barcelona team, coached by Terry Venables, that won La Liga in 1984/85 and then reached the final of the European Cup in 1986. On March 25 1985 in a game against Real Valladolid his penalty save against Mágico González effectively clinched the La Liga title for FC Barcelona. During the second leg of the European Cup semi-final against IFK Göteborg, Urruti successfully protested to the referee about a conceded goal after he spotted the ball had gone out of play. FC Barcelona were trailing 3-0 from the first-leg and the decision kept them in the game. They eventually drew level and in the subsequent penalty shoot-out, Urruti saved a crucial penalty and then scored one. The final against Steaua Bucureşti, however was a major disappointment for FC Barcelona. Neither side produced a goal after 120 minutes and although another penalty shoot-out saw Urruti save two penalties, his opposite number, Helmuth Duckadam, saved four winning the cup for Steaua in the process.

[edit] International Career

Urruti played five times for Spain between 1978 and 1980 and was a member of the Spanish squads for the 1978, 1982 and 1986 World Cups. He was also a member of the squad during the Euro 1980. However he was never able to replace fellow Basques Luis Arconada or Andoni Zubizarreta as the team's first choice goalkeeper and he never actually played in any of the above competitions. Urruti also played twice for the Euskadi XI in 1979 and 1980.

[edit] Honours

RCD Español

• Spanish Footballer of the Year
  • 1980/81

FC Barcelona

• Zamora Trophy: 1
  • 1983-84

• Spanish Champions: 1
  • 1984-85

• Copa del Rey: 2
  • 1982-83, 1987-88

• European Cup Winners Cup: 1
  • 1982

• Supercopa de España: 1
  • 1982

• Copa de la Liga: 1
  • 1983, 1986

[edit] External links

• La Liga stats
• Spain stats
• Spain Player of the Year

v • d • e Spain squad - 1978 FIFA World Cup 1 Arconada • 2 de la Cruz • 3 Uría • 4 Asensi • 5 Migueli • 6 Biosca • 7 Dani • 8 Juanito • 9 Quini • 10 Santillana • 11 Cardeñosa • 12 Guzmán • 13 Miguel Ángel • 14 Leal • 15 Marañón • 16 Olmo • 17 Marcelino • 18 Pirri • 19 Rexach • 20 Rubén Cano • 21 San José • 22 Urruti • Coach: Kubala

v • d • e Spain squad - 1982 FIFA World Cup 1 Arconada • 2 Camacho • 3 Gordillo • 4 Alonso • 5 Tendillo • 6 Alexanko • 7 Juanito • 8 Joaquín • 9 Satrústegui • 10 Zamora • 11 López Ufarte • 12 Urquiaga • 13 Jiménez • 14 Maceda • 15 Saura • 16 Sánchez • 17 Gallego • 18 Uralde • 19 Santillana • 20 Quini • 21 Urruti • 22 Miguel Ángel • Coach: Santamaría

v • d • e Spain squad - 1986 FIFA World Cup 1 Zubizarreta • 2 Tomás • 3 Camacho • 4 Maceda • 5 Víctor • 6 Gordillo • 7 Señor • 8 Goikoetxea • 9 Butragueño • 10 Carrasco • 11 Julio Alberto • 12 Setién • 13 Urruti • 14 Gallego • 15 Chendo • 16 Rincón • 17 Francisco • 18 Calderé • 19 Salinas • 20 Eloy • 21 Míchel • 22 Ablanedo • Coach: Muñoz