Pablo Ibáñez

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Pablo Ibáñez
Pablo playing for Atlético Madrid in 2007
Personal information
Full name Pablo Ibáñez Tébar[1]
Date of birth (1981-08-03) 3 August 1981 (age 42)
Place of birth Madrigueras, Spain
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Youth career
1997–1999 Albacete
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2002 Albacete B
2000–2001Caravaca (loan)
2002–2004 Albacete 75 (2)
2004–2010 Atlético Madrid 156 (9)
2010–2011 West Bromwich Albion 10 (1)
2011–2013 Birmingham City 19 (0)
Total 260 (12)
International career
2002–2003 Spain U21 10 (0)
2004–2008 Spain 23 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Pablo Ibáñez Tébar (born 3 August 1981), sometimes known as just Pablo, is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

Pablo was born in Madrigueras. He began his football career in the youth teams of his local professional club, Albacete, with whom he earned promotion from the Segunda División to La Liga in 2003. A year later, he signed for Atlético Madrid where he made nearly 200 appearances over six seasons. His career with Atlético was marred by controversy when one of the 2006 presidential candidates for their city rivals Real Madrid claimed that a deal was in place for Real to sign Pablo should he win the election. Although he re-established himself in the Atlético team, contributing to a fourth-place finish in 2008, he played increasingly rarely towards the end of his time with the club, and in 2010 he moved to England. He spent a season with Premier League club West Bromwich Albion and two with Football League Championship (second-tier) club Birmingham City.

At international level, Pablo was capped 10 times for Spain's under-21 team before making his first appearance for the senior national team in 2004. He went on to earn 23 caps and represented his country at the 2006 World Cup.

Club career[edit]

Early life and career[edit]

Pablo was born in Madrigueras, in the Province of Albacete in Castile-La Mancha, the son of a member of the Policía Nacional. He grew up in Leganés, in the greater Madrid area, where his father was stationed, and played football as a midfielder or occasional forward for a team in the district of El Carrascal. His parents had connections with the Albacete Balompié club, and at the age of 14, Pablo began his football career in that club's youth teams where he was converted to play in central defence. He worked his way through the junior teams, but instead of moving up into Albacete's B team, he was sent on loan to Caravaca, who were then playing in the Tercera División (fourth tier). On returning to his owning club, he played the 2001–02 season for Albacete B, also in the Tercera. He was a regular starter, and helped the team reach the promotion play-offs but without success.[2][3]

Albacete[edit]

After seeing Pablo work with the first-team squad during pre-season training, coach César Ferrando was quoted as saying he would pick Pablo and ten others for the coming campaign.[2] He was as good as his word: Pablo made his Segunda División debut in a 1–1 draw away to Terrassa on 31 August 2002, and went on to start 38 of Albacete's 42 matches as they finished the season in third place and were promoted to La Liga.[4] After only a few second-tier matches, he had made sufficient impact to attract interest from clubs both domestic and foreign and receive a call-up to the Spanish under-21 team for a friendly match against Bulgaria.[5][6]

In the January 2003 transfer window, Albacete attempted to arrange his transfer to Celta Vigo, but the deal foundered on Albacete's need for a significant part of the fee to be paid in cash.[7] A few weeks later, sports agent Alejandro Camaño bought half the rights to the player, thus enabling the club to pay the wages and complete the season successfully.[2]

Although a training-ground injury put his top-flight debut in some doubt,[8] he was deemed fit to start for Albacete on the opening day of the 2003–04 La Liga season. El País' match reporter described the "promising" Pablo as one of Albacete's mainstays, despite inadequate marking by him and defensive partner Gustavo Siviero taking much of the blame for the opening goal as Osasuna won 2–0.[9] He missed only one league game during the season as Albacete finished 14th.[10]

During the season it became increasingly clear that the player would be joining a bigger club. Amid reported interest from a list of clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, Leeds United, Roma,[11] Internazionale, reportedly willing to pay around €3 million for the player and then loan him back to Albacete for a season,[12] and Deportivo La Coruña, who agreed terms with the club but were unable to agree with Camaño,[13][14] Pablo signed a four-year contract with Atlético Madrid for a fee of €3.5m plus add-ons. He was reunited with Ferrando, who had recently been appointed coach of Atlético.[15]

Atlético Madrid[edit]

Partnering Colombian international and fellow newcomer Luis Amaranto Perea in central defence, Pablo contributed to Atlético achieving the third best defensive record in the 2004–05 La Liga season; only Barcelona and Real Madrid conceded fewer goals.[16] The team finished in a mid-table 11th position because they did not score enough, as illustrated by Pablo's three goals making him their third best league scorer.[16] His performances earned him selection for the senior national team, in a friendly against England in November,[17] and reported interest from major clubs.[18] Both he and Perea were given a pay rise and a contract extension until 2009.[19] In 2005–06, Pablo was a fixture for both club and country. He and Perea repeated their efforts of the previous season as Atlético finished in 10th place with the fourth best defensive record,[20] and he partnered Carles Puyol at the 2006 World Cup.

Pablo became embroiled in the 2006 Real Madrid presidential elections. José Antonio Camacho, the chosen coach of presidential candidate Juan Palacios, announced that the club would bring in José Antonio Reyes, Joaquín and Pablo to strengthen the team if he won the election, and that the deal for Pablo was already done.[21] Palacios lost the election, so Pablo had to remain with Atlético. His agent spoke out in his defence, confirming that Pablo had not asked to leave Atlético, and the Palacios faction were taking advantage of a contractual clause allowing him to leave if an offer of €15m were received (the club claimed the figure was only a basis for negotiation). He also disingenuously suggested that joining the hated rival was no different from joining a big club abroad.[22] Atlético coach Javier Aguirre made it clear they still wanted and needed "the best centre-back in Spain",[23] and the player apologised to the fans, insisting he wanted to stay at Atlético and admitting he had made a mistake in accepting Real's offer.[24]

He kept his place, but in November, an injury sustained against Mallorca was diagnosed as a bruised kidney and fractured vertebrae, which kept him out for some weeks,[25] during which time Zé Castro forced his way into consideration as a starter. In January 2007, Pablo marked his 100th game for the club with a rare goal to earn a draw with Racing Santander,[26] and completed the season with 24 league games.[27] He helped the club qualify for the 2007–08 UEFA Cup via the Intertoto Cup, and retained a regular spot in the starting eleven as Atlético finished fourth in the league and qualified for the Champions League,[28] but mistakes in the Madrid derby in January 2008 led to both Real's goals[29] and rekindled the fans' hostility.[30]

Although the recruitment of Tomáš Ujfaluši and Johnny Heitinga[31] pushed Pablo down the pecking order, he finished the 2008–09 season with 21 league appearances.[32] An offer from Real Zaragoza of less than €5m was rejected by the club as insufficient, but despite the arrival of Juanito adding to the defensive competition, Pablo said he was happy to see out the remaining year of his contract.[33][34] In that final season, he played rarely. He took part in the early rounds of the Copa del Rey and in the group stage of the Champions League as Atlético finished third in their group and dropped into the Europa League, but made his last appearance for the club, as a late substitute, on 20 December 2009.[35]

West Bromwich Albion[edit]

Despite renewed interest from Camacho, then coach of Osasuna,[36] Pablo moved to England, where he signed a three-year deal with West Bromwich Albion, newly returned to the Premier League, to begin on 1 July 2010 when his contract with Atlético expired.[37] He made his debut on the opening day of the season, partnering Gabriel Tamaș in central defence as Albion lost 6–0 at Chelsea,[38] and scored his first goal ten days later, in a 2–0 win at League One (third-tier) club Leyton Orient in the League Cup.[39] He was used sporadically, making only ten Premier League appearances, of which just two came in 2011.[40] Teammate Jonas Olsson suggested that it took at least a season to accustom oneself to English football, especially for someone who spoke little English when he first arrived.[41]

Birmingham City[edit]

Pablo signed a two-year contract with Championship (second-tier) club Birmingham City in August 2011, at the end of the summer transfer window. The fee was undisclosed.[42] He made his debut for the club in a 3–1 home defeat to Braga in the group stage of the Europa League.[43] Away to Club Brugge in the same competition, he was knocked unconscious in a clash of heads with Joseph Akpala for which he received lengthy treatment; in the tenth minute of the resultant stoppage time, Chris Wood scored a winning goal for Birmingham.[44] Pablo had replaced the injured Curtis Davies in the starting eleven, but the concussion sustained at Brugge gave Davies time to regain fitness and his undisputed starting place alongside Steven Caldwell in central defence. After Caldwell's season ended early through injury, Pablo returned to the team for the last few games, including the play-off semi-final defeat, and finished the 62-game season with 17 starts, of which only 7 came in the league.[45][46]

Davies and Caldwell began the 2012–13 season as first choice until an ankle injury sustained by Davies during a League Cup match at Coventry City gave Pablo an early opportunity to impress. He kept his place after Davies returned to fitness, but chipped a bone in his foot in the defeat to Barnsley and was expected to be out for a month.[47] Further injuries, the return to fitness of Caldwell, and the emergence of young left-back Mitch Hancox, which allowed Paul Robinson to partner Davies in the centre, meant that Pablo played only twice more, and he was released at the end of his contract.[48][49]

International career[edit]

After only a few Segunda División matches, Pablo received his first call-up to the Spanish under-21 team, for a friendly match against Bulgaria on 19 November 2002.[6] Despite the media's assumption that he would be among the substitutes,[50] he played the whole match as Spain won 7–1.[51] He was a regular selection over the next 12 months, and finished his under-21 career with ten caps. His last appearances came as Spain were eliminated by Sweden in the qualification play-offs for the 2004 European Under-21 Championships.[52]

His first call-up to the senior national squad came in October 2004, for World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and Lithuania, as a replacement for Juanito who dropped out of the original selection because of injury.[53] Carlos Marchena and Carles Puyol were the centre-back pairing in possession, and Pablo remained on the bench for both games.[54] He made his international debut on 17 November 2004 in a friendly against England in Madrid.[55] He entered the game as a half-time substitute for Marchena, with Spain leading 1–0; with 20 minutes left, he appeared to foul Alan Smith in the act of shooting, but no penalty was awarded – he told Mundo Atleti that Smith had thrown himself to the floor once he realised he could not reach the ball – and Spain had no difficulty retaining their lead.[56] Pablo replaced Iván Helguera, who had previously been a regular selection, in the squad for Spain's next match, a World Cup qualifier at home to San Marino in February 2005,[57] but did not play.

In his next match, a friendly against China in March, he appeared to score with a first-half header but the "goal" was ruled out because Fernando Torres was offside.[58] A few days later, he made his first competitive international appearance in the goalless World Cup qualifier away to Serbia & Montenegro, playing alongside Puyol in the first half and Juanito in the second.[59]

During the World Cup qualification process, Pablo established himself alongside Puyol as first choice for Spain. Despite his own goal in the last warmup game, against Croatia,[60] he and Puyol played in the first two group games at the finals, two victories which ensured qualification for the quarter-finals, and were rested for the third, against Saudi Arabia. Against France in the last eight, Spain took the lead via David Villa's penalty after Pablo was the victim of Lilian Thuram's "clumsy challenge from behind". France equalised in the first half, then took the lead with only a few minutes left; with Spain pushing for an equaliser, Zinedine Zidane scored a stoppage-time third.[61] It was the first time that Pablo had played in a losing Spain eleven.[55]

He retained his place for the remainder of 2006, but thereafter played less frequently, appearing in only four of Spain's twelve Euro 2008 qualifiers.[62] Named in the 31-man provisional squad for the competition finals, he failed to make the cut.[63] His last international appearance came as a substitute in a 1–0 friendly win against France in February 2008.[55]

Style of play[edit]

At 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in), Pablo is tall; he is good in the air, and as a younger player was noted for his pace. Albacete teammate Miquel Buades suggested that those key attributes made him "the worst thing that could happen to a forward".[3] His coach at both Albacete and Atlético, César Ferrando, said he had all the qualities needed for his position, which included anticipation and the intelligence to keep things simple.[3] Again according to Ferrando, Pablo rarely fouled, because "he doesn't need to. He has a whole arsenal of defensive resources."[64] A 2006 World Cup profile suggested he was "much happier on the ball than first impressions may suggest", and could look "ungainly".[65] A scout's assessment of his running style as "ugly" reportedly discouraged Real Madrid from pursuing an early interest in him.[2]

In later years, he used his experience: in 2012, the Birmingham Mail suggested that, in contrast to the "more aggressive and animated" Steven Caldwell, "Pablo tends to be subtle in his positioning and tackling, he likes to read the game rather than go head-to-head in a gladiatorial battle".[66]

Personal life[edit]

Pablo married Maika in Albacete Cathedral in 2007.[67] As of December 2010, the couple had one son, Adrián, and one daughter, Paula.[68]

In 2008, the Provincial Government of Albacete presented Pablo, Santi Denia, and Andrés Iniesta with the Medalla de Oro de Honor y Gratitud (Gold Medal of Honour and Gratitude), not only for their footballing prowess, as the only three natives of the province to play for the senior national team, but also in recognition of personal qualities that made them an example for the youth of the region.[69][70]

Career statistics[edit]

Club[edit]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Albacete 2002–03[4] Segunda División 38 1 1 0 39 1
2003–04[10] La Liga 37 1 0 0 37 1
Total 75 2 1 0 76 2
Atlético Madrid 2004–05[16] La Liga 35 3 8 1 5[a] 0 48 4
2005–06[20] La Liga 35 2 3 0 38 2
2006–07[27] La Liga 24 2 2 0 26 2
2007–08[28] La Liga 34 1 3 0 9[b] 0 46 1
2008–09[32] La Liga 21 1 3 0 4[c] 0 28 1
2009–10[35] La Liga 7 0 2 0 3[c] 0 12 0
Total 156 9 21 1 21 0 198 10
West Bromwich Albion 2010–11[40] Premier League 10 1 0 0 4 1 14 2
2011–12[46] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 10 1 0 0 4 1 14 2
Birmingham City 2011–12[46] Championship 13 0 2 0 1 0 7[d] 0 23 0
2012–13[49] Championship 6 0 0 0 1 0 7 0
Total 19 0 2 0 2 0 7 0 30 0
Career total 260 12 24 1 6 1 28 0 318 14
  1. ^ Appearances in UEFA Intertoto Cup
  2. ^ One appearance in Intertoto Cup, eight in UEFA Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ Five appearances in UEFA Europa League, two in Football League Championship play-offs

International[edit]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain[71] 2004 1 0
2005 6 0
2006 11 0
2007 4 0
2008 1 0
Total 23 0

Honours[edit]

Albacete

Atlético Madrid

References[edit]

Playing statistics

  • Albacete, Atlético Madrid: "Pablo Ibáñez: Pablo Ibáñez Tebar: Data". BDFutbol. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  • West Bromwich Albion, Birmingham City: "Pablo Ibanez". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  • Spain U21 and senior team: "Pablo Ibáñez: Pablo Ibáñez Tebar: International". BDFutbol. Retrieved 9 November 2011.

Specific

  1. ^ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Spain" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Castelo, Luis (23 May 2006). "22. Pablo. Evitó la ruina del Albacete y el Madrid no lo quiso" [22. Pablo. He saved Albacete from ruin and Madrid didn't want him]. AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Borasteros, Daniel (8 October 2004). "Pablo pasa en dos años de Tercera al equipo nacional" [Pablo: from the fourth division to the national team in two years]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 June 2012. Es muy sencillo describirle: es lo peor que le puede pasar a un delantero.
  4. ^ a b "Albacete 2002–03: Squad". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  5. ^ Muntané, Eduard (17 December 2002). "Huele a primera" [Smells like the Primera]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). p. 20.
  6. ^ a b L.C. (14 November 2002). "Pablo: 'Estoy en una nube'" [Pablo: 'I'm on a cloud']. AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  7. ^ Pita, E.V. (29 January 2003). "Jandro va cedido al Albacete y Pablo Ibáñez llegaría en junio" [Jandro on loan Albacete and Pablo Ibáñez to arrive in June]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  8. ^ Castelo, Luis (25 August 2003). "Pablo Ibáñez dio el susto" [Pablo Ibáñez scare]. AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  9. ^ Dominguez, Andres (31 August 2003). "Valdo y Rosado amargan el regreso a Primera del Albacete" [Valdo and Rosado sour Albacete's return to the Primera]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 June 2012. El eje defensivo formado por Siviero y el prometedor Pablo Ibáñez, uno de los puntales, tuvo buena parte de culpa en el gol de Valdo, en un inexplicable fallo de marcaje en una jugada de estrategia osasunista.
  10. ^ a b "Albacete 2003–04: Squad". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  11. ^ Acedo, Francisco (3 October 2003). "Monaco eye Albacete star". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  12. ^ Castelo, Luis (30 May 2004). "Pablo está cada día más cerca del Inter" [Pablo closer to Inter by the day]. AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  13. ^ "El central Pablo Ibáñez, a punto de fichar por el Deportivo" [Centre-back Pablo Ibáñez, on the point of signing for Deportivo]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). 28 June 2004. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  14. ^ Calle, F. de la (19 July 2004). "Matías Lequi lidera la lista de Lendoiro para suplir a Naybet" [Matías Lequi heads Lendoiro's list to replace Naybet]. AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  15. ^ Torelló, Roger; Hernández, Jesús (8 July 2004). "Pablo Ibáñez ya es jugador del Atlético" [Pablo Ibáñez is an Atlético player]. Mundo Atleti (in Spanish). p. 4.
  16. ^ a b c "Atlético de Madrid 2004–05: Squad". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  17. ^ Gómez, Raúl (18 November 2004). "España convence ante una Inglaterra decepcionante" [Spain convincing against disappointing England]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  18. ^ Kendall, Mark (17 January 2005). "Stopper plays down Juve link". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
    Acedo, Francisco (29 April 2005). "Atletico aware of Utd interest". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
    Livie, Alex (10 June 2005). "Reds tracking Ibanez". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  19. ^ Kendall, Mark (10 February 2005). "Atletico duo sign on". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Atlético de Madrid 2005–06: Squad". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  21. ^ Marshall, Adam (30 June 2006). "Camacho lines up Reyes raid". Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  22. ^ Gómara, Javier G. (4 July 2006). "Pablo está al margen de todo" ['It's nothing to do with Pablo']. Mundo Atlético (in Spanish). p. 18.
  23. ^ "Aguirre: 'Pablo está arrepentido, es el mejor central de España y le necesitamos'" [Aguirre: 'Pablo is sorry, he's the best centre-back in Spain and we need him']. 20 minutos (in Spanish). EFE. 5 July 2006. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  24. ^ "Pablo pide perdón a la afición del Atlético" [Pablo apologises to the Atlético fans]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Europa Press. 15 July 2006. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  25. ^ "In short". Irish Times. 8 November 2006. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  26. ^ "Pablo celebró con un tanto su partido 100 de rojiblanco" [Pablo celebrates his 100th game in red and white with a goal]. ABC (in Spanish). 28 January 2007. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  27. ^ a b "Atlético de Madrid 2006–07: Squad". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  28. ^ a b "Atlético de Madrid 2007–08: Squad". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  29. ^ Jenson, Pete (21 January 2008). "Atletico Madrid 0, Real Madrid 2: Raul prolongs Atletico derby misery". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  30. ^ Merino Martín, Sergio (30 January 2008). "Pablo Ibáñez, un jugador marcado" [Pablo Ibáñez, a marked player]. AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  31. ^ "Atletico complete Heitinga deal". Sky Sports. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  32. ^ a b "Atlético de Madrid 2008–09: Squad". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  33. ^ Hidalgo, Dani (4 September 2009). "Pablo: 'García Pitarch no habló conmigo ni me consultó sobre la oferta del Zaragoza'" [Pablo: 'García Pitarch didn't talk to me or consult me about the Zaragoza bid']. AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  34. ^ "Juanito leaves Betis for Atlético". UEFA. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  35. ^ a b "Atlético de Madrid 2009–10: Squad". BDFutbol. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  36. ^ Carrizo, Juan (4 June 2010). "El West Bromwich Albion confirma el fichaje del central Pablo Ibáñez" [West Bromwich Albion confirm the signing of centre-back Pablo Ibáñez]. La Tribuna de Albacete (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  37. ^ "West Bromwich Albion clinch Pablo Ibanez signing". BBC Sport. 2 June 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  38. ^ "Di Matteo: We must learn fast". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 17 August 2010. Archived from the original on 17 August 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  39. ^ "Leyton Orient 0–2 West Brom". BBC Sport. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  40. ^ a b "Games played by Pablo Ibáñez in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  41. ^ "Birmingham City new boy Pablo Ibanez tipped to benefit from his frustrating time at West Brom". Birmingham Mail. 5 September 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  42. ^ "Birmingham sign Wade Elliott and Pablo Ibanez". BBC Sport. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
  43. ^ "Birmingham 1 Braga 3". Birmingham City F.C. 15 September 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  44. ^ "Birmingham City leave it late to earn thrilling win at Club Brugge". guardian.co.uk. Press Association. 21 October 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  45. ^ Tattum, Colin (25 April 2012). "Pablo Ibanez up for Birmingham City's promotion challenge". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  46. ^ a b c "Games played by Pablo Ibáñez in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  47. ^ Tattum, Colin (14 September 2012). "Birmingham City team news". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
    Tattum, Colin (25 September 2012). "Pablo Ibanez injury woe and news on possible signings". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  48. ^ Tattum, Colin (16 March 2013). "Mitchell Hancox and Pablo Ibanez Birmingham City injury update". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
    Tattum, Colin (25 April 2013). "Blues secure future of youngsters". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
    Tattum, Colin (7 May 2013). "Blues release four senior players but five are offered new deals". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  49. ^ a b "Games played by Pablo Ibáñez in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  50. ^ "La Sub 21 busca compenetración" [Under-21s looking for teamwork]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 19 November 2002. p. 27.
  51. ^ Gascón, Javier (20 November 2002). "La Sub 21 hace un 'siete' a Bulgaria" [Under-21s tear Bulgaria apart]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). p. 23.
  52. ^ Hall, Andy (15 November 2003). "Sweden subdue Spanish surge". UEFA. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
    "Sweden survive Spanish scare". UEFA. 19 November 2003. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  53. ^ Bailey, Graeme (7 October 2004). "Prem target lands Spanish call". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  54. ^ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany Preliminaries: Spain–Belgium". FIFA. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
    "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany Preliminaries: Lithuania–Spain". FIFA. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  55. ^ a b c "Pablo Ibáñez: Pablo Ibáñez Tebar: Matches". BDFutbol. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  56. ^ "Race jibes mar Spain's win". The World Game. Associated Press. 18 November 2004. Retrieved 9 January 2020.[dead link]
    Palito, Miguel (19 November 2004). "'Enmarcaré la camiseta'" ['I'll frame the shirt']. Mundo Atleti (in Spanish). p. 2.
  57. ^ "De la Pena earns call-up for Spain". CNN. 4 February 2005. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  58. ^ "Spain swamp China in friendly". China Daily. 28 March 2005. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  59. ^ "Serbia & M'negro 0–0 Spain: Stalemate". ESPN FC. 30 March 2005. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  60. ^ "Spain win gives Aragones selection headache". ESPN FC. Reuters. 8 June 2006. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  61. ^ Garcia-Bennett, Cindy (29 June 2006). "Late show by France ends Spanish hopes". Western Mail. Cardiff. Retrieved 4 March 2016 – via The Free Library (Farlex).
  62. ^ "Spain Profile". FourFourTwo (Australia). 8 May 2008. Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  63. ^ "Raul omitted from Spanish squad". RTÉ Sport. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  64. ^ Díaz-Guerra, Iñako (10 September 2004). "Pensé que el Madrid se llevaría a Pablo y Luccin" [I thought Madrid would take Pablo and Luccin]. AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 15 June 2012. No hace casi faltas. No necesita hacerlas porque tiene todo un arsenal de recursos para defender.
  65. ^ "World Cup Squad Profiles: Spain". icBirmingham. Trinity Mirror Midlands. 17 May 2006. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  66. ^ Tattum, Colin (26 April 2012). "Pablo Ibanez tipped to shine at Birmingham City". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  67. ^ Gato, J. (23 June 2007). "Pablo firmó su contrato más importante" [Pablo signed his most important contract]. El Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). p. 7.
  68. ^ "Ibanez focused on Albion challenge". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 2 December 2010. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011.
  69. ^ "Andrés Iniesta, Pablo Ibáñez y Santi Denia, medallas de oro de la Diputación" [Andrés Iniesta, Pablo Ibáñez y Santi Denia, gold medals of the Provincial Government]. AS (in Spanish). EFE. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  70. ^ "El Partido Popular felicita a los futbolistas Andrés Iniesta, Pablo Ibáñez y Santi Denia por sus valores deportivos y humanos" [The Partido Popular congratulates the footballers Andrés Iniesta, Pablo Ibáñez and Santi Denia on their sporting and human values] (in Spanish). Partido Popular de Albacete. 24 December 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  71. ^ "Pablo Ibáñez". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 18 July 2013.

External links[edit]