Zarra gone but not forgotten
Friday 24 February 2006
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Telmo Zarraonandia, the Athletic great (©Athletic Club Bilbao)
Spanish football is in mourning today after the death of former Athletic Club Bilbao and Spain forward Telmo Zarraonandia Montoya at the age of 85.
'Scoring skills'
Zarraonandia, or Zarra, is best remembered for scoring four goals at the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, including the winner in a 1-0 group-stage victory against England at the Maracana. He died of a heart attack at his home in Bilbao yesterday and his funeral will be held on Monday night. Spanish Football Federation president Ángel María Villar Llona led the tributes, saying: "Everyone remembers him for his scoring skills, for the goals he scored in Brazil's World Cup."
Sense of humour
Across Spain, the football world united in expressing their loss at not only a great player, who scored 20 goals in 20 internationals, but a great man. "I can't believe Telmo has left us, so I would rather say he will always be among us," said Athletic president Javier Lamikiz. "He's part of the history of this club because Ibaigane [the club headquarters] and San Mamés are crowded with photos of him. He was so vital, optimistic and was always up for a good joke."
Goals record
Former Real Madrid CF and Spain star Alfredo Di Stéfano added: "I'm stunned. Everyone in football knew him. It's a very sad loss and we are all there for his family." Zarra, born in 1921, played 353 matches for Athletic from 1940-55, scoring 334 goals. He was six times the league's top scorer - 1944/45, 1945/46, 1946/47, 1949/50, 1950/51 and 1952/53 - a record that still stands today.
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