Rafael Rullán
Rafael Rullán Ribera ( born January 8, 1952 in Palma de Mallorca) is a former Spanish professional basketball player. He spent most of his career at Real Madrid and has eight international and 24 national titles one of the most successful Spanish basketball player of all time.
Career
Rafael Rullán came in 1967 in the youth of the Spanish record champion Real Madrid. On 2 June 1969, the then 17 - year-old center celebrated in the final of the Copa del Rey against Joventut Badalona de his professional debut, the game was lost with 81:82. In his first full season in the first team he was able to conquer his team double in league and cup. Initially, in the shadow of Star center Clifford Luyk, but he quickly developed into a mainstay in the trained by Pedro Ferrandiz team. His physical deficits under the basket, he weighed in at a size of 207 cm, only about 95 kg compensated Rullán with his good throwing technique that made him even outside the zone a dangerous opponent, a quality that was rare among centers in its time.
The first international title he succeeded with his team in the European Champions Cup in 1973/74, in which Real Madrid could be in the final with 84:82 against the biggest opponents of that time, Pallacanestro Varese Dino Meneghin, prevail. After two final defeats against the Italians in the highest European competition 1974/75 and 1975 /76 to Rullán was with Real Madrid in the season 1977/78 by 75:67 in the final again prevail against Varese. In the final of the European Champions' Cup 1979/80 in Berlin, eventually bribed the Spanish Center, with 27 points was the best pitcher of his team and helped his team to 89:85 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
By the arrival of Fernando Martín in 1981 and after several foot injuries, the role of Rafael Rullán in the team took off though, but he remained loyal to his club and could continue in the season 1983/84 by a 82:81 against Olimpia Milano the European Cup Cup Winners' Cup win.
In 1987 he transferred within the ACB league to rivals CB Collado Villalba where he trailed off his career. Overall, it took Rafael Rullán the Spanish giants Real Madrid in 18 seasons on 24 national and eight international titles success with which he is one of the most successful players of the club and the Spanish basketball. After his playing career had Rullán at the " Royal " from 1991 to 1999 as Technical Delegate for the first team and is active in the club 's Fundación Real Madrid today.
National
Rafaél Rullán played as a junior with Spain in 1970, the U-19 European Championship, the Iberians finished the tournament in fifth place. On 11 May 1971 he finally celebrated in a friendly match against Belgium his debut in the A-National Team. His first medal he won with Spain at the European Championships in 1973, where his team with 67:78 failed to Yugoslavia until the endgame. In addition, he was also in the squad of his country for the European Championship finals in 1971, 1975, 1977, 1979 and 1981. With the Iberians Rullán contested the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, but his team finished only disappointing 11th place. At the World Cup in 1974, he reached the fifth in Spain.
Overall Rullán denied 1971-1981 162 games with the Spanish national team.
Achievements
Real Madrid
- European Champions Cup (3): 1973/74 1977 /78 1979/80
- European Cup Winners' Cup: 1983/84
- Intercontinental Cup / Basketball Club World Cup ( 4): 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981
- Spanish Champion (14): 1969/70 1970 /71 1971/72 1972 /73 1973/74 1974 /75 1975/76 1976 /77 1978/79 1979 /80 1981/82, 1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86
- Spanish Cup winner (9): 1969/70 1970 /71 1971/72 1972 /73 1973/74 1974 /75 1976/77, 1984/85, 1985/86
- Supercup winner: 1984/85
National
- Eurobasket 1973: Silver