Ferran Olivella

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Olivella and the second or maternal family name is Pons.

Ferran Olivella Pons (22 June 1936 – 14 May 2023) was a Spanish footballer who played as a defender.

Ferran Olivella

Olivella in 1960
Personal information
Full name	Ferran Olivella Pons
Date of birth	(1936-06-22)22 June 1936
Place of birth	Barcelona, Spain
Date of death	14 May 2023(2023-05-14) (aged 86)
Place of death	Spain
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Youth career
	Poble Sec
1953–1954	Barcelona
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1954–1956	España Industrial	17	(0)
1956–1969	Barcelona	214	(1)
Total		231	(1)
International career
1953–1954	Spain U18	8	(0)
1955	Spain amateur	3	(0)
1956–1958	Spain B	6	(0)
1957–1965	Spain	18	(0)
1966–1968	Catalonia	2	(0)
Medal record Representing  Spain European Nations' Cup Winner 1964 Spain UEFA European Under-18 Championship Winner 1954 West Germany
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Olivella joined FC Barcelona's youth ranks at the age of 17. He started playing as a senior with neighbouring SD España Industrial in the Segunda División, returning to the Camp Nou in 1956.^[1]

Olivella appeared in 320 competitive games during his spell with his main club.^[2] He won back-to-back La Liga championships from 1958 to 1960, scoring his only goal as a professional on 14 February 1960 in an 8–0 home demolition of UD Las Palmas.^[3]

International career

Olivella earned 18 caps for the Spain national team in eight years. He made his debut on 31 March 1957, in a 5–0 friendly win against Belgium.^[1]

When the country won the 1964 European Nations' Cup, Olivella acted as captain. He was also selected for the 1966 FIFA World Cup held in England, being an unused squad member in an eventual group-stage exit.^[4][1]

Death

Olivella died on 14 May 2023, at the age of 86.^[5]

Honours

Barcelona

• La Liga: 1958–59, 1959–60^[1]
• Copa del Generalísimo: 1957, 1958–59, 1962–63, 1967–68^[1]
• Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1955–58, 1958–60, 1965–66^[1]
• Small Club World Cup: 1957^[6]

Spain

• UEFA European Championship: 1964^[1]

Spain U18

• UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1954

Individual

• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1964^[7]