Antonio Karmona

Antonio Karmona Herrera (born 24 March 1968) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a defender.

He was best known for his Alavés stint, where he spent seven seasons and totalled 260 competitive matches, also being the undisputed team captain.

Most of Karmona's career was spent, however, in the Segunda División, where he amassed totals of 260 games and 11 goals over the course of eight seasons, representing three clubs including his main one.

Club career Karmona was born in Bermeo, Basque Country. At the age of 22, he was playing amateur football in his hometown and preparing to become a fisherman like his father and many others from the town, but instead was invited to join the senior ranks of local Sestao Sport Club.

Having appeared in all 38 league matches in the 1998–99 campaign, Karmona captained Alavés to the 2000–01 final of the UEFA Cup, where they met Liverpool and eventually lost 5–4 due to an own golden goal by Delfí Geli, with him being sent off during extra time. In an interview before the game, he revealed he was a lifelong Liverpool fan.

After suffering relegation, the 35-year-old Karmona re-joined Eibar and played two more second-tier seasons before retiring. Subsequently, he worked with Athletic Bilbao's coaching and scouting staff for some time.

International career Karmona won five caps for the Basque Country unofficial representative team. In 2003, his last appearance, he became the first Eibar player to be selected.

Honours Alavés Segunda División: 1997–98