Monday, September 12, 2016

Real Betis Greatest All-Time Team

This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams.  This blog was one of them.  It was my Russia All-Time Team here.  His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014.   His Spartak Moscow All-Time team entry of was published in October 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2017.  His entry of the Dutch-German rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014.  He also copied many many of my blog entries.

His Facebook and Instagram


Copa Del Rey 1977
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.

Real MadridBarcelonaValencia, Villarreal
Atletico MadridSevillaAtletic Bilbao, 
Deportivo La Coruna  Real Sociedad,
Real BetisReal ZaragozaEspanyol
Andalusia

This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for Real Betis.  The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.

Real Betis is a club played in the city of Seville. The name "Betis" is derived from Baetis, the Roman name for the Guadalquivir river which passes through Seville and which the Roman province there was named after. Real was added in 1914 after the club received patronage from King Alfonso XIII.
  
It won the league title in 1935 and the Copa del Rey in 1977 and 2005. Given the club's tumultuous history and many relegations, its motto is Viva el Betis manque pierda! ("Long live Betis even when they lose!").
Copa Del Rey 2005
Team
GK: Jose Ramon Esnaola (Spain)
Born in 1946, Jose Ramon Esnaola joined Real Sociedad in 1965, helping the club to return to the First division in his first season.  In 1973, he joined Real Betis.  He won the 1977 Copa Del Rey by stopping three penalties and scoring one himself in the penalty shootout in the Final. It was his only trophy.  He played with Real Betis until 1985. 

GK: Antonio Prats (Spain)
In a career mainly spent with Betis, Antonio Prats appeared in 338 La Liga games over the course of 12 seasons (467 in 17 both major levels combined), winning one Copa del Rey with his main club. In 1999–2000, he scored against Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid through free kicks, in respectively a 2–1 win and 1–2 loss. He also played for Mallorca.

GK: Pedro Jaro (Spain)
Pedro Jaro played four years with Real Madrid, where he could only appear in 23 league games combined, barred by legendary Francisco Buyo. In the 1994–95 campaign Jaro helped Real Betis overachieve for a final third place in the top division, immediately after having promoted: he played in all 38 matches and only conceded 25 goals, good enough for the Ricardo Zamora Trophy.

RB/RM: Fernando Varela (Spain) 
Over the course of 11 seasons, Fernando Varela amassed La Liga totals of 257 games and 13 goals. He played with Real Betis from 1997 to 2006.  He then played for Mallorca from 2006 and 2010. He won one Copa del Rey with the former club. He also played in Turkey at the end of his career. He was a part of Spain's 1999 Under 20 World Cup winning team.

RB: Francisco Bizcocho (Spain)
Bizcocho played his entire career with local Real Betis, nine of his 11 professional seasons being spent in La Liga. In 1976–77, Bizcocho played 27 games as Real Betis finished fifth, and scored the decisive penalty in the final of the Copa del Rey, an 8–7 shootout defeat of Athletic Bilbao.  The team suffered relegation in the following campaign, however.

CB: Juanito (Spain) 
Juanito made his debut for Betis' main squad in the 2001–02 campaign, and immediately established himself as a regular starter, often scoring from deadball situations. Juanito represented Spain at UEFA Euro 2004 and 2008 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, scoring with his head in the 1–0 triumph over Saudi Arabia. That goal was the first ever scored by a Real Betis player in the competition.
Juanito
CB: Serafín Aedo (Spain)
In 1931 he moved to Baracaldo CF, and then in 1933 to Real Betis where he teamed up for the first time with fellow Basque Pedro Areso. The pair made a formidable defense, helping Betis win La Liga in the 1934-35 season.  He went to play in Mexico during the Spanish Civil War.  Aedo earned 4 caps for the Spanish national side in 1935 and 1936. From 1937 to 1939 he was part of the Basque Country national team which toured Europe and the Americas.

CB: Antonio Biosca (Spain)  
Antonio Biosca made his senior debuts in 1970–71 in Segunda División, for CD Calvo Sotelo in a relegation-ending season. In the following summer, he moved to Real Betis, winning the 1977 edition of the Copa del Rey.  He was capped 3 times for Spain.  He went to the 1978 World Cup Finals in Argentina, appearing in two matches.

CB: Juan Merino (Spain)
During his 17-year professional career, Juan Merino played solely in Andalusia, appearing in more than 200 matches in both the first and second divisions of Spanish football.  Between 1990 and 2002, he played with Real Betis.  He spent another 5 seasons with Recreativo de Huelva.  He had represented Soain at the youth level.

LB:  Rafael Gordillo (Spain)
Rafael Gordillo was known as the greatest left wingback in Spanish history.  He played at the same time as Camacho for both club and country.  Both players started on the left side.  Camacho supported him defensively.  He was a legend at both Real Betis and Real Madrid. He was voted the Best Player in Spain for 1979-1980 season.  He played with the great Real Madrid side of the 1980's, winning an UEFA Cup.
Rafael Gordillo
LB: Robert Jarni  (Croatia)
He was a member of Yugoslavia's Golden Generation of the 1990's.  He went to the WC Finals in 1990 with Yugoslavia and later, represented Croatia at the WC Finals in 1998, where they reached the semifinal.  Professionally, Jarni started his professional career with Hajduk Split in 1986. He had also played in big clubs such as Juventus and Real Madrid. His longest stint outside of Croatia was with Real Betis.

CM/DM: Marcos Assunção (Brazil)
Assunção began his career at Rio Branco Esporte Clube. He then played for Santos FC and moving to Clube de Regatas do Flamengo in 1998. He was bought by Serie A's A.S. Roma for 1999–2000. Assunção joined Spanish side Real Betis in August 2002. The Andalusian team finished fourth at the end of the 2004–05 campaign, subsequently qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.  Capped 11 times for Brazil.

RW: Joaquin (Spain)
During his career, Joaquin was mainly associated with Betis and Valencia, appearing in 425 La Liga games over the course of 13 seasons and scoring 53 goals. In the competition he also represented Málaga, signing with Fiorentina from Italy in 2013.  He received 51 senior caps.  He was a key player at World Cup Finals in 2002.  He also went to Euro 2004 and the World Cup Finals in 2006.
Joaquin
RW: Finidi George (Nigeria)
Finidi George was a member of Ajax that won the 1995 Champions' League.  The team was considered one of the greatest club sides in history.  He also played for Real Betis, Mallorca and Ipswich, He was a key member of Nigeria's Golden Generation in the 1990's. He played in two World Cup Finals: 1994 and 1998. He has 62 caps.

LW: Denílson  (Brazil)
In a 16-year professional career, Denilson played mainly with São Paulo and Real Betis – being the world's most expensive player when he signed for the latter in 1998 – but also appeared for teams in five other countries. Denílson gained more than 60 caps for Brazil, representing the nation in six international tournaments, including two World Cups (winning the 2002 edition). He was one of the best dribblers of his time.
Denilson
FW/CM/DM: Luis del Sol (Spain)
Luis del Sol was a part of Real Betis that promoted to Segunda División (1954) and then, to La Liga (1958).  He joined Real Madrid in 1960.  In the 1962, he signed for Juventus FC in Italy, where he played until 1970. He also played two years with A.S. Roma, which he would captain. He was capped 16 times.  He went to both 1962 and 1966 World Cup Finals.  He won the 1964 European Nations' Cup with Spain, but did not play in the Finals.
Luis del Sol
AM: Julio Cardeñosa  (Spain) 
Julio Cardeñosa started his career with Real Valladolid.  He arrived at Real Betis from local Real Valladolid in 1974, and remained there until his retirement in 1985. For the national team, he earned 8 caps for Spain and played in the 1978 World Cup Finals in Argentina. He also went to the European Championship in 1980.

AM: Capi (Spain)
Apart from a loan spell at Granada CF in the third division, Capi spent the vast majority of his career at Real Betis.  Capi went on to play over 250 league games for Betis, always as an important part of the squad between 1997 and 2010. He also spent two season with Xerez. He gained four caps for the Spanish national team all in 2002.

AM: Gabriel Calderón (Argentina)
Calderón played in several teams including Argentine Racing Club de Avellaneda and Club Atlético Independiente, Spanish Real Betis and French Paris Saint-Germain. He was part of the Argentina Under-20 team that won the 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship playing alongside Diego Maradona, and also played in the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain and in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. 

ST: Ricardo Oliveira (Brazil)
Ricardo Oliveira represented São Paulo and Santos in two different spells, but also played in Spain for Valencia, Real Betis and Real Zaragoza amassing La Liga totals of 120 games and 58 goals for three teams.  For his international career, he earned 16 caps in the 2000s in era when Brazil had a lot of great forwards.  He served as a backup to Ronaldo, Adriano, etc. He helped the national team to win the 2004 Copa América and the 2005 Confederations Cup.
Ricardo Oliveira
AM: Simon Lecue (Spain) 
In 1932 Lecue joined Real Betis, contributing with ten goals in 21 games as the Andalusians won their first and only top division championship in the 1934–35 season. Subsequently, Lecue moved to Real Madrid, where he continued to feature regularly, scoring a career-best 12 goals in his second year. After four seasons at Valencia CF, where he won his second league, in 1944. He earned 4 caps and went to the 1934 WC Finals.

ST: Alfonso (Spain)
A product of Real Madrid, he also played for Real Betis and Barcelona. He ppeared in 38 times for Spain, The most important of his 11 goals was scored against Yugoslavia in UEFA Euro 2000: the team was losing 3–2 in injury time, needing a win to qualify from the group at Norway's expense. In the 90th minute, a penalty was won and converted by Gaizka Mendieta, and with seconds remaining Alfonso volleyed a spectacular shot past Ivica Kralj for his second of the game and the win.
Alfonso
ST: Hipólito Rincón (Spain)
Hipólito Rincón was a product of Real Madrid. He played briefly before he joined Real Betis for the 1981–82 season, netting 20 league goals in his second year which earned him the Pichichi Trophy. He went on to score nearly 100 times with the club.  He earned 22 caps and went to the 1986 World Cup Finals in 1986.

ST: Manuel Domínguez Sánchez (Spain)
Born in 1926, Manuel Domínguez Sánchez was a star in the 1950's.   He made his debut in 1945 with Real Betis in the lower division. He is currently the second leading all-time scorer for Real Betis with which he scored 94 goals in the league championship.  He also played with Xerez and Recreativo de Huelva.

ST: Fernando Ansola (Spain)
Born in 1940, Fernando Ansola started his career with his hometown team Eibar.  He also played for several teams throughout his career: Real Oviedo , Real Betis, Valencia CF and Real Sociedad.  He was at one point the all-time leading scorer for Real Betis, where he played between 1961 and 1966.  With Valencia, he played with Waldo Machado. He was capped 5 times for Spain during the 1960's.  He went to the 1966 World Cup in England.
Fernando Ansola

Honorable Mention
Antonio Benítez (Spain), Quino Sierra (Spain), Edu (Brazil), Pierluigi Cherubino (Spian), Rogelio (Spain), Eusebio Rios (Spain), Juan Manuel Cobo (Spain), Juan Urena (Spain), Hristo Vidakovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Pedro Areso (Spain), Joaquín Urquiaga (Spain), Rubén Castro (Spain), Sergio Canales (Spain), Borja Iglesias (Spain), 

Squad Explanation
-- Real Betis won the league in 1934-35.  That team is under represented in this all-time team.  Only two players are on this team.  They are attack midfielder Simon Lecue and centerback Serafín Aedo.  I am still researching on Pedro Areso to see if he should belong here.  At this moment, he is on my honourable mention.  I am very opened to take him.  Basically, the team was dismantled the following season due to financial situation as well as the Spanish Civil War.  Real Betis was unable to build a dynasty.
-- Real Betis won Copa Del Rey in the 2021-2022 season.  They also did well in the league.  Joaquin was their captain.
-- Goalkeeper Jose Ramon Esnaola contributed to the victory of Copa Del Rey in 1973 in a dramatic fashion.  In the Final against Athletic Bilbao, he stopped three shots and scored the winner in the penalty shootout.  He earned legendary status with the club.  He is also the club's all-time leading appearance, leader.  Julio Cardeñosa, Antonio Biosca and Francisco Bizcocho were also on the 1977 Copa del Rey winning team.
-- Pedro Jaro won the Ricardo Zamora Trophy in 1994-1995 season.  That season, Real Betis finished 3rd place in the league.  Joaquín Urquiaga also won the same award in 1933-1934 season, but I decided to put him on honourable mention only.
-- Rafael Gordillo was known for his career with Real Madrid, playing along side Camacho on the left side. He is actually often considered as one of Real Betis' greatest player. He was both a left wingback and a left winger. He won the Don Balón Award in the 1979-1980 season as the best Spanish player while playing for Real Betis.
-- Alfonso also won the Don Balón Award in the 1996-1997 season while playing for the club.  He was also known for his international career with Spain.
-- Robert Jarni's longest club stint outside of Croatia was with Real Betis.
-- Luis del Sol was an important when the club was in the lower division.  He helped the club to grain promotion. He later became famous playing for Real Madrid and Juventus.
-- Joaquin was considered the Golden Boy of Real Betis.  He won the 2005 Copa Del Rey with them.  He never lived up to the tag after leaving the club, but his selection is based upon his career over here.  He is an icon with the club.
-- From the 2005 Copa Del Rey winning team, I also selected Ricardo Oliveira, Antonio Prats, Capi, Fernando Varela, Juanito  and Marcos Assunção.  Juanito was their captain. Goalkeeper Antonio Prats and Capi did not play in the Final.
-- Fernando Varela scored two of the most famous goals in Real Betis' history.  In 2002-2003 season, he dribbled past five opponents struck the ball into the top corner with his left foot against Barcelona.  Then, he scored a left-footed volley against city rivals Sevilla FC in the 2005–06 season.
-- Denilson was often labelled as a bust after his world record transfer.  His price tag did not justify his performance.  However, he was not a bad player, but he just got caught up with that label. He was one of the few Real Betis player who won the World Cup while registering to the club.
-- Ricardo Oliveira was underrated.  His international career was limited by the fact that he was playing the same time as many talented Brazilian forwards such as Ronaldo, Adriano, Robinho, Ronaldinho, Luís Fabiano, etc.
-- Hipólito Rincón won the Pichichi award for the top scorer in La Liga in the 1982-1983 season. At the time of writing, he is the only player who won the award for the club.
-- Rubén Castro is the club's all-time leading scorer, but he was not a big star outside of the club.  So I took him on honorable mention

Copa Del Rey 2022
Formation

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