Alfonso Olaso facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alfonso Olaso Anabitarte | ||
| Date of birth | 17 March 1905 | ||
| Place of birth | Villabona, Gipuzkoa, Spain | ||
| Date of death | 19 December 1937 (aged 32) | ||
| Place of death | Teruel, Aragon, Spain | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1925–1926 | CD Nacional de Madrid | ||
| 1926–1934 | Athletic Madrid | ||
| National team | |||
| 1927 | Spain | 1 | (0) |
|
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Alfonso Olaso Anabitarte (born March 17, 1905 – died December 19, 1937) was a Spanish football player. He played as a defender for Athletic Madrid. Alfonso also played one game for the Spanish national team. His brother, Luis, was also a famous football player for Atlético and Spain.
Playing for Clubs
Alfonso Olaso was born in Villabona, Spain, in 1905. He played defense, while his older brother Luis was a forward. Luis was a well-known player for Athletic Madrid and Real Madrid.
Alfonso started his football career at Nacional in Madrid in 1925. He was a strong defender there. Because of his good play, he joined Athletic Madrid in 1926. His brother Luis was already a star player at Athletic Madrid.
In his first year at Athletic Madrid, Alfonso helped the team reach the Copa del Rey final in 1926. They lost 2–3 to FC Barcelona in that game.
In 1929, Alfonso and his brother Luis were part of the Athletic Madrid team. They played in the very first season of La Liga, Spain's top football league. Alfonso made history by scoring the first-ever own goal in La Liga. An own goal is when a player accidentally scores into their own team's net.
In 1930, his club went down to the Spanish Second Division. Alfonso played his last seasons there, trying to help the team get back to the top league. He retired from football in 1934. His retirement happened in the same season that his club finally got promoted.
Playing for Spain
Alfonso Olaso played his first and only game for the Spanish national team on May 9, 1927. It was a friendly game against Italy in Bologna. Spain lost the game 0–2.
His Death
When the Spanish Civil War started in 1936, Alfonso joined a group called the Requeté. He fought throughout the war. Alfonso was part of the Battle of Brunete. After becoming a lieutenant, he fought in the Battle of Teruel.
On December 18, 1937, he was captured by the opposing side. He was hurt with two wounds to his body and shoulder. He was taken to the city of Teruel for medical help. What happened next is not fully known. Some believe he died from his wounds. Others think he was executed because he was an officer. The exact date of his death is not known, but it is thought to be soon after December 18, 1937.
After the war, the press honored Alfonso Olaso. In the 1950s, the Spanish Football Federation created an award in his memory. The Alfonso Olaso award was given to the best young football player of the season.
Awards and Trophies
Club
- Centro Championship:
- Winners (1): 1927–28
- Copa del Rey:
- Runner-up (1): 1926
See also
In Spanish: Alfonso Olaso para niños
