Itziar Gurrutxaga: ‘I’ve had to give up many things for football’.

Elgoibar player Itziar Gurrutxaga came to the Athletic Club during the 2002-2003 season, after playing for her native local team and for the Eibartarrak. Since then, she has played 72 matches with our team and has scored 7 goals. Now, after having won the Superliga on two occasions, she says her dream is to do something great in European competition.

When did you start playing football?

When I was very young, my brothers played and that cheered me on. In the beginning, I played in the beach championships in Zarautz and when I was 15 years old I took my first shots in the Elgoibar.

What differences would you highlight between male and female soccer?

Mainly physical; they are stronger, faster and the game rate is superior. Nevertheless, technically speaking I don’t believe there is much difference.

Do you think female football is sufficiently valued?

Little by little the situation is improving, slowly, but it is advancing. What is clear is that Athletic has helped a lot and it shows, so much in the street atmosphere as in the media.

And do you think this boom that is being lived is going to last in future?

I hope so. The important thing now is that that tendency continues and remains. We are going to work toward it, but we know it is going to be difficult.

What does it mean for you to play for Athletic Club?

Considering that I have been playing for 12 years, it is like work recognition. Even though it may not be apparent, I have had to make many sacrifices; I’ve had to give up many things for football and that has sometimes been difficult. Nevertheless, I think it has been worth it.

Which is, in your opinion, the secret of Athletic Club?

On the one hand the work. The daily work is our secret, in addition to the great atmosphere that we have in the changing rooms.

You say that the mood in the changing rooms is good; did you imagine it like this before you came?

To tell you the truth I knew many of the players before coming here. I had played with them in the Euskadi team, which is why the atmosphere was already good and it hasn’t been difficult to continue being a clan.

Isn’t it difficult that your coach is a man?

I have always had a male coach, what would be odd is to be trained by a woman.

What do you think of the arrival of the Mexican Maribel Domínguez and the Brazilian Milene Domingues?

A lot has been said about this, mostly by the media. If it benefits football in any way then it is welcomed, although I think that there are many players that are better than they.

What do you do besides playing for Athletic Club?

Most of my time is spent working, training and playing, so whatever free time I have left I spend with my family and my fiancé.

What is your sports dream?

I think it has already been fulfilled but I would like to do something in Europe. I hope we can win the Superliga for the third time and then next season we can do something important in European competition.