Barça mourn stalwart Gràcia
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Article summary
FC Barcelona are mourning Sigfrid Gràcia, an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup winner with the Catalan club, who died aged 73.
Article body
Local lad
Gràcia was born in the Catalan town of Gavà on 27 March 1932 where he started out as a promising left-back with local side CEF Gavà. He later joined España Industrial, as the Barcelona youth team were then known, before graduating to the Barça senior squad where he would remain for 14 seasons.
Trophy haul
With the Blaugrana he claimed three league titles, four Spanish Cups and three Inter-Cities Fairs Cups. Barcelona won the inaugural edition of that last competition in 1958 against a London XI, and Gràcia was also involved in the final victories against Birmingham City FC (1960) and Real Zaragoza (1966).
International
In addition he was capped ten times by his country between 1959 and 1962, making his debut in a 4-2 win against Poland in Katowice on 28 June 1959.
European disappointment
Sadly, Gràcia was unable to add the European Champion Clubs' Cup to his collection. He was part of the Barça side that lost the 1961 final 3-2 to SL Benfica in Berne. In total, he made 525 appearances for the Blaugrana, scoring 21 goals.
