“I couldn’t have done it without my family’s support”

On this occasion, we’ve had the opportunity to share some minutes with Elisabeth Ibarra and quite honestly it just wasn’t long enough, seeing her enthusiasm when she speaks about soccer and Athletic in particular.

How did you get started in football?

Football has always been present in my life. My father was a football player and my brother also plays and at home we basically breathed soccer. I started playing at the Ikastola, though in the beginning I also played handball and basketball. At 13 we could choose, and I had it quite clear. My choice was football.

And how was ladies’ soccer organized?

I’ve been quite lucky to always have, since I began, a well-rounded team of girl’s and rival teams to play against. What was strange was that I, for example, entered the Eibartarrak when I was 13 years old and played with girls that were 30. Now, there are categories, cadet-juniors for example, and so those age gaps are avoided.

You stated earlier that your father was a player and that your brother is still active in the sport. You’ve seen a whole lot of soccer in your youth, then?

Yes actually. When I started playing my brother was already playing with the Real Sociedad SAD reserves and we went to see all his matches. My father played for Elgoibar, Mutriku and in Eibar… and besides he later became a coach and wherever I could go with him, I would.

You get to Eibartarrak, but, when do you decide to dedicate yourself completely to soccer?

Since the beginning; I had it clear since the beginning and besides when I began to play for Eibartarrak, the Basque National team called me up, and that gave me the motivation and strength to continue playing football.

Do you stay in touch with your old Eibar teammates?

It is difficult. Yes, it’s true that I arrived at Athletic with Itzi from Eibar, but it’s already been seven years and my life now is in Bilbao and Llodio, which is where I live. On certain weekends when I go to Elgoibar, I go to Unbe and I do get excited to see my former teammates that are still playing, even though there aren’t many.

How did you live your arrival to Athletic?

Well, the first news I have is a call from Iñigo. The Athletic project, at least for me, did not exist. I hadn’t heard about it and the call from Iñigo was a pleasant surprise. I’ve always been an Athletic follower. My father was an Athletic follower and so was I, so when the opportunity to play for my team arose, for Athletic, I didn’t doubt it for a minute. Playing for Athletic had never even crossed my mind and it was the greatest news at that time.

How did you live your first season?

Quite enthusiastically! We all gathered in San Mamés to take measurements for the kits, had our medical exams, we trained in Lezama…It was all incredible, I came from Eibar, where one day a week we ran to Ermua, did some ball exercises and that was the training session.

How were the first training sessions with Iñigo Juaristi?

Phenomenal! Very complete, quite demanding and high-level. It seemed as if we were with the National team. I remember very comprehensive training sessions, circuits and exercises.

Do you remember your debut?

Totally, it was in Lezama against Torrejón. Besides I was lucky enough to score. I remember the match perfectly down to the smallest of details.

When do you realize you can become champions?

We played one match at a time. In Sabadell, on the second matchday, we lost 3-0 and realized that that was the Superliga and we gave it all we had. We began adding more and more points and little by little we realized that it was possible to win the title

And then the first match in San Mamés takes place …

That was truly amazing. We met two hours before the match to try to get used to the pitch, the changing rooms, and just about everything really. We could hear the noise inside, and when we came out to warm up we could see how it was filling up, then they told us they had to open more gates because there were still people coming in. A friend of mine bought the last ticket before they had to open all the gates.
In the end we were able to bring together more than 30,000 people, setting a milestone, not only in women’s soccer, but in women’s sports in general.
We went back to San Mamés to win the Liga and that match was a total celebration. I couldn’t ask for more. I come to play for my team, play the Superliga and win it. Everything was perfect!

Do you know that you’ve played as many as 62 consecutive matches? (The team’s first 62 official matches)

No, I didn’t know, but if you say so… The truth is that it’s quite a significant amount of games and now that you tell me this it’s true, our former delegate, Iñaki, told me in Rumania that that was the first match I missed.

Have injuries respected you?

Yes, except for the broken collarbone injury that kept me away from the playing field, I haven’t suffered any other injury.

How about your first experience in the Champions?

It was a wonderful experience that we lived with tremendous excitement. Besides, we started off rather well, but we could see that the level was high. Then came the match against Frankfurt and there we discovered the reality of football in Europe. We knew they were missing some players and we followed them during that week too and at first they didn’t seem all that much, but then in San Mamés, when they pass you by and you see their physical capacity, then you understand the difference in level. Quite honestly it was terrible losing one to seven at home before your fans, but that’s how the sport is.

You achieve three consecutive titles, you are paid an amazing tribute in Bilbao, but then comes summer and the problems begin and Iñigo leaves the team. How do you and the team live all this?

Well, for me everything comes together with the collarbone injury and I lose three months of competition and perhaps I didn’t live everything that happened like my teammates. But it was a difficult year. Iñigo left and so did all the people that had supported women’s soccer. The atmosphere became tense and in spite of playing a good role in the Champions, it was not a year to remember.

Did you lose your aspirations?

Yes. We lost our illusions and aspirations. It was difficult. We didn’t understand anything and it was a situation I wouldn’t want to repeat. The following year, Iñigo returned and we knew we had to go all lengths and once again we won the Liga

A difficult year, but from which you surely got out a lot of good things.

That’s true. We had been winning for three years and after that rather complicated season, we won the title in San Mamés, but we were unable to win the match. We had to wait until the Espanyol match ended.

It’s unfair that in the Superliga only the winner gets a prize…

You’re right. You finish runner-up and it’s the same as finishing eighth. It’s a rule that needs changing.

Have you had any sports idol?

Not idols, but I’ve always liked Julen Guerrero.

You are from Elgoibar, like Joseba Etxeberria. How was Joseba’s signing with Athletic lived there?

I was about 14 years old and in town, which is rather divided between Athletic and Real fans, well, just imagine… I was delighted. Joseba had played with my brother and was now heading to my team. I didn’t make a case with those that wanted to argue. He chose and there is no doubt that he chose well.

What’s a normal day for Eli Ibarra? How does a professional soccer player organize herself?

Well in the beginning thanks to my family who have always unconditionally supported me. If it had not been for them, I would not be here. Now I live in Llodio and I organize myself well with work, but I have to thank them for the flexibility in my schedule which they allow me to have. What I can tell you is that I am delighted and the sacrifice doesn’t really matter because I am doing what I like.

Do you surf the Internet?

Yes. I’m no expert but I manage.

What do you think of our website, especially with regards to the Ladies’ section?

Well, I think it’s “well done”! Compared to those of other teams where there’s no colour.
The information provided in ours, the live matches, and the news…, the truth is that it is very good.