Guillermo Gorostiza

Guillermo Gorostiza Paredes (February 15 1909 — August 23 1966), commonly referred to as Gorostiza, was a Spanish footballer who played as a forward. He spent most of his career at two clubs, Athletic Club and Valencia CF. He also played for Spain and the "Euskadi XI". He was born in Santurtzi, Vizcaya.

Athletic Club

As a youth Gorostiza played for Chávarri de Sestao and Zugazarte. He then played for Arenas Club de Getxo (1927/28) and Racing de Ferrol (1928/29) before he signed for Athletic. He made his La Liga debut on December 1 1929 against Real Madrid. Gorostiza was a member of the Athletic team that also included Bata and was coached by Fred Pentland. He was a prolific goalscorer and he his goals helped Athletic win La Liga/Copa del Rey doubles in 1930 and 1931. The club also won the Copa del Rey four times in a row between 1930 and 1933 and they were also La Liga runners-up in 1932 and 1933. Gorostiza also won the "Pichichi" in 1930 and 1932 and scored the winning goal in the 1933 Copa de España final. While at Athletic he also made his debut for Spain on June 14 1930 in a game against Czechoslovakia and represented Spain at the 1934 FIFA World Cup.

Euskadi XI

During the Spanish Civil War Gorostiza played with the "Euskadi XI". This team was put together at the suggestion of José Antonio Aguirre, the president of the Basque Country and a former Athletic Bilbao footballer. The team went on tour to raise funds for the Basque cause and played in Europe and Mexico. The team even entered the Mexican league during the 1938/39 season.

Valencia CF

On returning to Spain Gorostiza joined Valencia CF in 1940. The young pre-war squad of Valencia CF had managed to remain intact during the Spanish Civil War and in the post-war years, joined by the now veteran Gorostiza, they matured into champions. Gorostiza, helped the club win two La Liga titles in 1942 and 1944 and the "Copa del Generalísimo" in 1941. While at Valencia CF he made the last of his 19 appearances for Spain in a game against Switzerland on December 12 1941.

End of Career

After leaving Valencia CF, he played for Barakaldo CF during the 1946/47 season and then retired. However he twice came out of retirement to play for CD Logroñés (1948-49) and then Juvencia Trubia (1950-51).

Honours

Athletic Club

*Spanish Champions: 4
** 1929-30 1930-31 1933-34 1935-36

*Copa del Rey/Copa de España: 4
** 1929-30, 1930-31, 1931-32, 1932-33

*The Pichichi Trophy: 2
**1929-30 1931-32

Valencia CF

*Spanish Champions: 2
** 1941-42 1943-44

*"Copa del Generalísimo": 1
**1940-41

External links

* [http://futbol.sportec.es/seleccion/ficha_jugador.asp?j=252&n=gorostiza/guillermo/gorostiza/paredes Spain stats]
* [http://www.lfp.es/historico/primera/plantillas/historial.asp?jug=0209 La Liga stats]