Athletic Club de Bilbao Scottish Supporters Club

Season 2007/08

2007-08-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

The blog is back!!!!!

After a gap of a (very uneventful) season, the Athletic blog returns for what everyone hopes will be a successful campaign.

The pre-season is already underway, and news of the various friendly matches, signings, and goings-on at Athletic will follow shortly.

Lamikiz Resigns

2006-09-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

Athletic Club President, Fernando Lamikiz, today resigned his post, after a poor start to the season and fans protesting after the 4-1 home defeat to Atletico Madrid two weeks ago.

Lamikiz will be replaced by Ana Urkijo, who will become the first female president of the club.

At the end of the 2003/04 season, when Athletic finished fifth in La Liga, Lamikiz won the election for the top job, but has increasingly become an unpopular figure with supporters. For many, the last straw was the sacking of Javier Clemente last season, when Athletic saved themselves from relegation with only two games to go.

Photo courtesy of www.eitb24.com

Two Sent Off as Bilbao Win A Point

2006-09-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

Murillo
Aduriz

Athletic won a hard-earned point in a bad tempered game tonight, in a 0-0 draw with Getafe.

Murillo and Aduriz were both shown red cards, which will rule them out of next Sunday's clash with Barcelona at La Catedral.

Disaster in La Catedral

2006-09-17T21:02:00.000-07:00

Atletico Madrid demolished Athletic tonight, putting four goals past Aranzubia, and inflicting another defeat which leaves Bilbao second-bottom of the league.

Maxi (18th), and Petrov (36th) put Atletico 2-0 up at half-time. Aguerro made it 3-0 in the 64th, before Javi Martinez scored a consolation in the 84th. However, a Galletti penalty in the 89th finished off a miserable night for Los Leones.

Athletic Defeated In Sevilla

2006-09-10T22:59:00.000-07:00

Athletic were well-beaten tonight, by a strong Betis side.

Goals from Juanito 18th, Edu 39th and Capi in the 82nd, ensured that the rojiblanco returned north empty-handed.

Points Shared In Basque Derby

2006-08-27T21:54:00.000-07:00

Athletic had to settle for one point in the opening game of season 2006/07 . Having led 1-0 from a 38th minute Aduriz penalty, the Lions lost a goal with three minutes to go, Aranburu scoring for Txuri Urdin.

Thanksgiving Mass

2006-08-16T20:18:00.000-07:00

In keeping with tradition, a Thanksgiving Mass was held on Monday 14th August, in memory of all members of the Athletic family throughout the world, who passed away during the previous year.

The mass was held in the Basilica of Begona.

Pre-season success

2006-08-16T20:09:00.000-07:00

Athletic continued their preparations for the 2006/07 season, with wins over Essen and Ijsselmeervogels in Germany, and Everton in Liverpool, after losing to hosts Cologne 1-0 on 3rd August in the triangular tournament wih Middlesbrough.

August 6th 1-0 Rot Weiss Essen (Yeste, 13th)
August 8th 3-0 Ijsselmeervogels (Alex Garcia 22,62, Benat 81st)
August 12th 1-0 Everton (Aduriz 16th)

First Win for Athletic

2006-08-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

Athletic Club got off to a good start tonight in Cologne, winning 1-0 against English club Middlesbrough.

In the triangular tournament, three games of 45 minutes each, Athletic set themselves up for an exciting encounter against the home side, who themselves beat Middlesbrough 2-0.

A goal by Joseba Etxeberria ensured that Los Leones began their preparations for the 2006/07 season with a win.

New Season......New Coach.

2006-07-20T10:16:00.000-07:00

New coach for this season is ex-player Felix Sarriugarte.

End Of An Era

2006-07-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

Julen Guerrero, 'The Pearl Of Lezama', has announced his retirement from playing.

Without doubt, one of the most well-loved Athletic players, Julen has a new position within the organisation, as coach to the Junior Honour team.

At an emotional press conference at Ibaigane on the 11th July, the visibly upset club captain sat with President Fernando Lamikiz as his decision was made public to the assembled media.

The Pena Centenario would like to pass on our best wishes to Julen in his new role.

Visit to Euzkadi

2006-07-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

Pictured here in May, members of the Pena Centenario in Bilbao.

Gernika

2006-04-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

In the news today, was the story of Basque MP's petitioning for the moving of Picasso's masterpiece, 'Guernica' from Madrid to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

The Pena Centenario fully supports this initiative, and looks forward to the day when we can view this famous painting in Bilbao, depicting the bombing of an innocent village, and the massacre of men, women and children, by the combined fascist forces of Hitler, and the Spanish dictator Franco.

The bombing took place on April 26th, 1937.

Gora Athletic! Orbaiz the hero!

2005-12-03T23:26:00.000-08:00

A 95th minute equaliser from Orbaiz saved a point for Athletic tonight, after Atletico had led through a Kezman goal scored early in the first half.

With literally the last kick of the game, Athletic saved themselves from another defeat, and may now prove to be the turning point in a rather disappointing season to date.

The 26 year-old from Pamplona demonstrated that the game is still alive until the referee blows for time, and Atletico may consider themselves rather unlucky not to hold on to all three points.

However, it is Athletic who will take most from this game, and will be looking forward to next week and the game in Valencia.

Gora Athletic!!!!!

Next up........Atletico!

2005-12-03T12:45:00.000-08:00

Athletic take on Atletico Madrid, in a game which could see Los Leones haul themselves off the bottom of the league.

Atletico are 6 points ahead of Bilbao, lying in 11th place.

The team from San Mames will be strengthened by the news that Athletic legend, Julen Guerrero, has recovered from injury, and will be on the bench.

The game can be followed live on www.athletic-club.es

pic courtesy of www.icons.com

First win for Clemente

2005-11-26T20:45:00.000-08:00

Athletic gained three valuable points tonight, winning 1-0 in Mallorca.

A 57th minute free-kick from Luis Prieto from far outside the Mallorca penalty box, was enough for Bilbao to gain their first win under new coach, Javier Clemente.

Athletic now have 10 points from 13 games, and will be looking forward to next week when Atletico Madrid visit San Mames.

Athletic in Mallorca

2005-11-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

Athletic travelled to Mallorca yesterday, to prepare for tonight's game.

Bilbao are anchored to the foot of La Liga, three points behind Real Betis. It is therefore critical that Los Leones take something from the game to remain in touch with the pack, and avoid becoming almost certain candidates for relegation.

Javier Clemente is still searching for his first league win, and hopefully will find it in Son Moix.

George Best 1946-2005

2005-11-26T12:01:00.000-08:00

Athletic fans, as well as fans from all over the world, will be saddened to hear of the passing away of George Best.

Without doubt, one of the best players in the world in his day, George will leave many fans of a certain age with great memories.

I'm honoured to say that I saw George play competitively, when Hibernian played Dundee on a Tuesday night in September, 1980. Although his best days were in the past, he still lit up a drab and dark night with some flashes of brilliance.

Many thanks to Bob Dunning for the use of the picture. www.ynw62.dial.pipex.com/boband.htm

Athletic lose derby game in San Mames

2005-11-21T17:45:00.000-08:00

Athletic, without legendary captain Julen Guerrero, lost in La Catedral, Sunday, to Alaves, 2-0.

The team from Gasteiz scored early in the first half, and once more on the final whistle, to leave Athletic rooted firmly to the bottom of La Liga with 7 points from 12 games.

To avoid the drop to Division 2, Los Leones must start winning games. Along with Barca and Real Madrid, Bilbao are one of only three teams to have played every season since their foundation, in the top division.

Photo courtesy of www.elcorreodigital.com

Lest We Forget

2005-11-13T18:15:00.000-08:00

"Dana emon behar jako maite dan askatasunari"

"Let us give everything for the freedom we love"

Esteban Urkiaga

'Lauaxeta'

1905-1937

Our President

2005-11-10T20:32:00.000-08:00

Pictured here in Liege, with Joseba Etxeberria before the UEFA cup game in December 2004, (two days before he made a mad dash back to England, then up to Scotland) is our President.

Athletic progress to last 16

2005-11-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Athletic came from behind last night, to beat third-division Hospitalet 3-1 in the Copa del Rey.

A 39th minute goal from Carcel seperated the teams at the break, but goals from Yeste (56) and Llorente (59, 63) put the team from Bilbao into the next round.

Vacacciones en Navarra

2005-11-09T20:54:00.000-08:00

In September, the Pena visited Pamplona.

Pictured here is our club secretary outside the Ayuntamiento. Since 1991, the Navarran town has welcomed our club once, if not twice every year. As in the past, we found a warm welcome from old friends...Miguel Artazcoz,Carmello Buttini, etc.

Tudela, Navarra.

2005-11-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

Pictured here is the Club Secretary outside the Pena Athletic in Tudela ,
Navarra, in September.

Tudela is the home town of Ismael Urzaiz, and one young lady in a local bar was happy to inform us that she attended school with the striker.

Unfortunately, the bar was closed, thereby preventing our pena from visiting our laguns in Navarra.

New Member Of Pena Centenario

2005-11-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

The Pena is delighted to welcome a new member. Nahia Gordobil, daughter of Anne-Lise and our President, Karlos, was born on 8th September. With a Basque father, a French mother, living in England, and a member of the Scottish Supporters Club, Nahia is a true European, and we look forward to the day when she attends her first game.

Congratulations go to Anne-Lise and Karlos.

Txapeldun!!