David Votoupal
Well-Known Member
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YV5j5fr934
Here is how the Primera Liga table looked with three games to go in the 80/81 season. And here is how it finished.
Football can be a cruel game. Sometimes all to cruel.
The previous season, Real Sociedad were unbeaten for 32 games, then lost in Sevilla in the penultimate round- their only loss all season. And guess what, they lost the league at that point after leading for virtually the entire season- and Real Madrid claimed a third consecutive title, continuing a dynasty that had began in the 50s and was handed down from generation to generation until the end of the 80s.
So what happened in season 80/81?
Real Sociedad had Arconada in goal, Kortabarria in defence, Sartustegui and Lopez Ufarte up front- and a superb midfield trio of Alvarez, Alonso and Zamora. They were coached by Alberto Ormatxea. Basque teams were traditionally renown for their rugged physical qualities, but this was a trait more easily associated with arch-rivals Athletic Bilbao. Alberto Ormatxea was the coach.
Real Madrid were coached by Vujadin Boskov. They had players like Del Bosque, Juanito, Santillana, Camacho, Stielke, Cunningham and Gallego. Pirri had retired in 1980, ending the last link to the 60s generation who themselves had been mentored by Santamaria, Puskas and Gento.
Atletico Madrid were coached by Jose Luis Garcia Traid, who'd coached Salamanca in the 70s with success. They had players like the Brazilian midfield maestro Dirceu- who scored unbelievable goals (like the one for Brazil v Italy in '78), played for a few clubs in Italy... and sadly died in a car crash in 1995. There was also Ruben Cano and Julio Alberto among others.
Valencia were coached by Bernardino Perez aka Paseguito, a former player who enjoyed success coaching Sabadell. They won the European Cup-Winners' Cup in 1980 under the management of Alfredo di Stefano (who had also coached them to the League title in '71, their last for over 3 decades!). Players included Tendillo, Saura, Castellanos, Solsona, Subirats as well as big name foreigners like Mario Kempes and Fernando Morena.
Barcelona were undergoing something of a turbulent time if I recall correctly. Ladislav Kubala had returned as coach, having coached Spain for over a decade- but he was replaced by his former coach Helenio Herrera during the season! Legendary midfielder Asensi left during the season to go to Mexico and the days of Cruyff and Neeskens were but a memory now- but there were players like Alexanco, Simonsen, Quini (one of the best Spanish strikers of the era) and Schuster. Hans Krankl had one good season, and barely played for the two seasons after :-\
Real Betis had Gordillo, Moran and midfielders Lopez Garcia, Ortega Garcia and Cardeosa. Julio Cardeosa was a splendid player, unfortunately best known for his awful miss for Spain v Brazil in '78.
Sporting Gijon had lost Quini, but still had players like Mesa, Joaquin Alonso, Ciriaco, Uria, Abel and Enzo Ferrero.
Osasuna gained promotion the previous season, and would remain there for 14 years.
Atletico Madrid would lead the Primera Liga for most of the season, but collapsed in the last 7 games- failing to win any of them. This tightened up the title race, but as the challenge of most other teams collapsed, it was left to Real Sociedad and Real Madrid to fight it out as it went to the last day. Real Sociedad were away to Sporting Gijon, while Real Madrid were away to Real Valladolid.
In Spain, head-to-head record was/is used to separate teams. And that's how it was decided here.
Real Madrid, who were also European Cup finalists that year (losing to Liverpool) did what they had to do and won 3-1 in Valladolid. But it was in vain. Real Sociedad led by a point going into the final round and nearly blew it. After going 1-0 up through Kortabarria, Mesa scored either side of half time to put Sporting 2-1 up. Sociedad playmaker Zamora then tied it in the last minute. The top two were now level on points.
Real Madrid had beaten Sociedad 1-0 earlier in the season, but lost the away game 3-1. Since they were 1 apiece, it went down to the aggregate score- and Real Sociedad trumped it 3-2 on aggregate! How close can you get?!?
Six consecutive La Liga seasons between 1978 and 1984 were decided on the final day of the season. There were some memorable finishes, some appalling acts of violence and brutality on the field, and a lot more.
Here is how the Primera Liga table looked with three games to go in the 80/81 season. And here is how it finished.
Football can be a cruel game. Sometimes all to cruel.
The previous season, Real Sociedad were unbeaten for 32 games, then lost in Sevilla in the penultimate round- their only loss all season. And guess what, they lost the league at that point after leading for virtually the entire season- and Real Madrid claimed a third consecutive title, continuing a dynasty that had began in the 50s and was handed down from generation to generation until the end of the 80s.
So what happened in season 80/81?
Real Sociedad had Arconada in goal, Kortabarria in defence, Sartustegui and Lopez Ufarte up front- and a superb midfield trio of Alvarez, Alonso and Zamora. They were coached by Alberto Ormatxea. Basque teams were traditionally renown for their rugged physical qualities, but this was a trait more easily associated with arch-rivals Athletic Bilbao. Alberto Ormatxea was the coach.
Real Madrid were coached by Vujadin Boskov. They had players like Del Bosque, Juanito, Santillana, Camacho, Stielke, Cunningham and Gallego. Pirri had retired in 1980, ending the last link to the 60s generation who themselves had been mentored by Santamaria, Puskas and Gento.
Atletico Madrid were coached by Jose Luis Garcia Traid, who'd coached Salamanca in the 70s with success. They had players like the Brazilian midfield maestro Dirceu- who scored unbelievable goals (like the one for Brazil v Italy in '78), played for a few clubs in Italy... and sadly died in a car crash in 1995. There was also Ruben Cano and Julio Alberto among others.
Valencia were coached by Bernardino Perez aka Paseguito, a former player who enjoyed success coaching Sabadell. They won the European Cup-Winners' Cup in 1980 under the management of Alfredo di Stefano (who had also coached them to the League title in '71, their last for over 3 decades!). Players included Tendillo, Saura, Castellanos, Solsona, Subirats as well as big name foreigners like Mario Kempes and Fernando Morena.
Barcelona were undergoing something of a turbulent time if I recall correctly. Ladislav Kubala had returned as coach, having coached Spain for over a decade- but he was replaced by his former coach Helenio Herrera during the season! Legendary midfielder Asensi left during the season to go to Mexico and the days of Cruyff and Neeskens were but a memory now- but there were players like Alexanco, Simonsen, Quini (one of the best Spanish strikers of the era) and Schuster. Hans Krankl had one good season, and barely played for the two seasons after :-\
Real Betis had Gordillo, Moran and midfielders Lopez Garcia, Ortega Garcia and Cardeosa. Julio Cardeosa was a splendid player, unfortunately best known for his awful miss for Spain v Brazil in '78.
Sporting Gijon had lost Quini, but still had players like Mesa, Joaquin Alonso, Ciriaco, Uria, Abel and Enzo Ferrero.
Osasuna gained promotion the previous season, and would remain there for 14 years.
Atletico Madrid would lead the Primera Liga for most of the season, but collapsed in the last 7 games- failing to win any of them. This tightened up the title race, but as the challenge of most other teams collapsed, it was left to Real Sociedad and Real Madrid to fight it out as it went to the last day. Real Sociedad were away to Sporting Gijon, while Real Madrid were away to Real Valladolid.
In Spain, head-to-head record was/is used to separate teams. And that's how it was decided here.
Real Madrid, who were also European Cup finalists that year (losing to Liverpool) did what they had to do and won 3-1 in Valladolid. But it was in vain. Real Sociedad led by a point going into the final round and nearly blew it. After going 1-0 up through Kortabarria, Mesa scored either side of half time to put Sporting 2-1 up. Sociedad playmaker Zamora then tied it in the last minute. The top two were now level on points.
Real Madrid had beaten Sociedad 1-0 earlier in the season, but lost the away game 3-1. Since they were 1 apiece, it went down to the aggregate score- and Real Sociedad trumped it 3-2 on aggregate! How close can you get?!?
Six consecutive La Liga seasons between 1978 and 1984 were decided on the final day of the season. There were some memorable finishes, some appalling acts of violence and brutality on the field, and a lot more.
