Spanish Cup

BilbaoCherry said:
I apologize, but I need to post this.

We (Athletic Club) just won the Copa del Rey after 40 years.

6 lost finals this century, Andoni Iraola featuring in several of those.

Finally, it’s coming home.

The 25th!

Aupa Athletic!!

And Up The Cherries In All Departments!!
Click to expand...

Congrats and good to have you on the forum... can tell you know your football ;)

Are Athletic still emplying the tradtion around only signing Basque citizens? IIRC, read few years back they may have relaxed it slightly.

Amazing how you;ve always been so competative, with such small relative pool of players to pick from.

I recall Exterberria back around 2000's when playing football manager. AMC/Forward. Was immense!!! That was when I followed continental game more closely.
 
MB1980 said:
Congrats and good to have you on the forum... can tell you know your football ;)

Are Athletic still emplying the tradtion around only signing Basque citizens? IIRC, read few years back they may have relaxed it slightly.

Amazing how you;ve always been so competative, with such small relative pool of players to pick from.

I recall Exterberria back around 2000's when playing football manager. AMC/Forward. Was immense!!! That was when I followed continental game more closely.
Click to expand...
Thanks brother, loving my time here and really enjoying following the team and the project. Very exciting times.

Still the same. The unwritten rule is players born or brought up in the Basque region. 21 out of 26 in the current squad are from the Academy.

Etxeberria was class. We signed him from our arch rivals Real Sociedad for a record fee at 17 after he won the Golden Boot at the U17 World Cup, were he partnered up top with Raúl González. Started and ended his career as a second striker, but played most of it in the right wing. Roberto Carlos once said during his prime that he was the most difficult winger he had had to mark.
 
BilbaoCherry said:
Thanks brother, loving my time here and really enjoying following the team and the project. Very exciting times.

Still the same. The unwritten rule is players born or brought up in the Basque region. 21 out of 26 in the current squad are from the Academy.

Etxeberria was class. We signed him from our arch rivals Real Sociedad for a record fee at 17 after he won the Golden Boot at the U17 World Cup, were he partnered up top with Raúl González. Started and ended his career as a second striker, but played most of it in the right wing. Roberto Carlos once said during his prime that he was the most difficult winger he had had to mark.
Click to expand...

Interesting to know mate.

I see population is around 2.1 mill in basque region... like I say amazing how Athletic remain so competative. As obviously players from that region are free to sign for other clubs if bids/offers come in. Notice many players spend entire career, or vast majority playing for club in the region, when compared to average length of service players give to clubs elsewhere.

Imagine (at least in previous eras...) theres a higher loyality shown by people towards Athletic, as proud people/region?

I spent a week in San Sebastien 20 years ago, and was surprised/impressed by level of 'proudness', amongst other things, that population seemed to have around being Basque and not Spanish as such. Million miles away from what you see (or whats allowed over here in England...). Place certainly had its own distinct flavour, compared to Espana.
 
MB1980 said:
Interesting to know mate.

I see population is around 2.1 mill in basque region... like I say amazing how Athletic remain so competative. As obviously players from that region are free to sign for other clubs if bids/offers come in. Notice many players spend entire career, or vast majority playing for club in the region, when compared to average length of service players give to clubs elsewhere.

Imagine (at least in previous eras...) theres a higher loyality shown by people towards Athletic, as proud people/region?

I spent a week in San Sebastien 20 years ago, and was surprised/impressed by level of 'proudness', amongst other things, that population seemed to have around being Basque and not Spanish as such. Million miles away from what you see (or whats allowed over here in England...). Place certainly had its own distinct flavour, compared to Espana.
Click to expand...
Yes, definitely.

It’s a product of our unique and complex history.

Loyalty, yes. Etxeberria himself played his entire career with us. Iraola is top 5 in matches played in our history. Only left at the very very end to have an experience in NY.

Since a few years the club does this annual “One Club Man Award” recognizing players who have played their entire careers for their home club. Matt LeTissier, Carles Puyol, Paolo Maldini to name a few have been recognized.

Emotional LeTissier in Bilbao (start at 4:28)

I am obviously biased but we are a gem of a club.
 
BilbaoCherry said:
Yes, definitely.

It’s a product of our unique and complex history.

Loyalty, yes. Etxeberria himself played his entire career with us. Iraola is top 5 in matches played in our history. Only left at the very very end to have an experience in NY.

Since a few years the club does this annual “One Club Man Award” recognizing players who have played their entire careers for their home club. Matt LeTissier, Carles Puyol, Paolo Maldini to name a few have been recognized.

Emotional LeTissier in Bilbao (start at 4:28)

I am obviously biased but we are a gem of a club.
Click to expand...

Interesting award! Le Tissier must have been taken back, as he always seemed to be so miserable for years, whenever I saw him on soccer saturday/sky sports!

Couple of years ago I did a save on FM and set myself rule of only being allowed to sign English players for AFCB (mainly as game too easy, without some self imposed rules, rather than some form of ultr-patriotism... although unlike many, I'm proud to be English. I've seen several English people on my travels apologize for our history, and/or admit they're embarrassed to be English/British... tbh I find them embarrassing). Surprised I wasnt arrested!!

But yes, despite not following Athletic any more than other clubs, I've always had respect for that tradition and also how well they've done.
 
BilbaoCherry said:
I apologize, but I need to post this.

We (Athletic Club) just won the Copa del Rey after 40 years.

6 lost finals this century, Andoni Iraola featuring in several of those.

Finally, it’s coming home.

The 25th!

Aupa Athletic!!

And Up The Cherries In All Departments!!
Click to expand...
Chelsea followers will appreciate 6 lost finals. ;)
 
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