Eloy Olaya

Eloy José Olaya Prendes (* July 10, 1964 in Gijón ) is a former Spanish footballer.

Career

Association

Eloy played in his youth for Sporting Gijon. On 28 November 1979 he was at the age of only 15 years his professional debut in a cup match against CD Turon. His first assignment in the Primera División took place on November 10th 1982 against CA Osasuna.

In the 1983/84 season Eloy was already a regular player and henceforth indispensable part of the team of Asturias, had qualified in the sequence twice for the UEFA Cup. During this time the Spaniard was also the first appointed to the national team.

Some big clubs courted, Eloy changed before the 1988/89 season to FC Valencia. Here the Spaniards in 1990 vice- champion in and qualified four more times for the UEFA Cup. During the 1993/94 season Eloy lost his place.

Due to the unsatisfactory situation Eloy went in 1995 to Sporting Gijon back. Here he was in the 1995/96 season again regulars and celebrated at the end of the season in the league. The following season, however, the Spaniards again lost his place. He then left the club during the winter break in the direction of Extremadura and signed a contract with the second division side CD Badajoz. He finished his career after one and a half years.

National

Eloy went through the youth national teams of Spain. His debut in the senior team was made November 20, 1985 as part of a scoreless game against countries Austria. In 1986 he took part in the Football World Cup 1986 in Mexico with Spain. In the quarter- final against Belgium, he missed crucial in penalty shoot-out, after which Spain was eliminated. In the same year won Eloy with the U- 21 selection, the final of the European Championship against Italy. Two years later he played with the senior team, the European Football Championship 1988 in Germany.

Achievements

• U-21 European Championship: 1986
• Copa del Rey finalists: 1995