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!!

Cup Game

2005-11-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

Tonight, Los Leones are in action in the Copa del Rey against Hospitalet.

The game has been moved to Sabadell, as Hospitalet play on a plastic pitch. Tonight is a great chance to progress in a competition last won in 1984, when Sr Clemente was also in charge.

The game can be followed on www.athletic-club.es by clicking-on the 'Match Live' icon.

.....and we are back!! (Again!!!)

2005-11-09T09:13:00.000-08:00

We are back. After a period of inactvity, the blog is back.

A lot has happened since the last post. After a great start to the season, we find ourselves bottom of La Liga, and with a new coach. If anyone can turn around the fortunes of Los Leones, then Javier Clemente can. A fan of the club through-and-through, this will be his third spell in charge at La Catedral. We wish him well, and look forward to seeing a change in fortunes vey soon.

Round 2

2005-09-10T00:04:00.000-07:00

Athletic travel to Madrid later today, for the Sunday game against Getafe. Yeste and Urzaiz are doubtfull, both having injuries.

Pena Centenario will be represented in Bilbao week commencing 12th Sept, but will not be present at the Athletic-Malaga game on 18th Sept.

Photo courtesy of www.athletic-club.es

Top of the league..........................

2005-08-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

Athletic made the best possible start to the 2005/06 season, with an emphatic win against Basque rivals Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Goals from Yeste, Llorente, and Luis Prieto in the second half sealed a well-deserved victory in front of a capacity crowd in La Catedral.
With international matches taking place this coming weekend, Athletic will remain on top of La Liga at least until Sept 11th, when they travel to take on Getafe.

Photo courtesy of www.athletic-club.es

Aupa Athletic!!

2005-08-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

An action shot from the last home game of season 2004/05.

End of season 2004/05

2005-08-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

Last home game of the season, and yours truly is in La Catedral to see Athletic play bottom club Numancia.

The team from Soria played very well, and were worthy winners. In a cruel twist of fate, ex-Athletic player, Carlos Merino scored, and was a constant threat until he was replaced in the second half.

At the end, the supporters gave a warm send-off to Asier Del Horno, and Ernesto Valverde.

New season, new coach, new hopes.

2005-08-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to our site. The 2005/06 season is full of promise. Not only do Athletic have an exciting crop of young players in the squad, but the pre-season tour to easten Germany was deemed a success, with the strikers finding their form.

Check back for regular news from La Catedral. Gora Athletic!

Champions!!!!

2005-04-26T19:51:00.000-07:00

Athletic Club (Women's team) are once again the Superliga Champions!!

Finishing with 66 points, three clear of Levante, Athletic are champions for the third time, and have our most sincerest congratulations.

Tonight, Tuesday 26th, will see the team being honoured at the Vizcaya Government offices, followed by a parade to the Bilbao town hall, where an official reception will be given to them.

Athletic lose to Sevilla

2005-04-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

Athletic lost 3-1 on Sunday, against a well-organised Sevilla side in San Mames.

Trailing 3-0, it was left to Julen Guerrero, brought on as a substitute to restore some pride shortly before the end.

The result means Athletic are now in ninth place in La Liga, and will need to improve if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

Athletic draw in Sevilla.

2005-04-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

Athletic drew 0-0 against Real Betis tonight, to set up an all-to-play-for second leg clash at La Catedral.

Despite replacing all 3 strikers during the second half, Bilbao could not find the important breakthrough goal to give them the advantage in the King's Cup semi-final.

Athletic move up 2 places with late win.

2005-04-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

Athletic gained two places in La Liga today, election Sunday in Euzkadi, with a 2-0 win late into injury time in Santander .

A 95th minute penalty from Orbaiz, and a goal one minute later from Tiko, were enough to take all three points back to Bilbao.

This coming week is an important one, with a visit to Sevilla on Thursday for the cup semi-final first leg with Betis, followed by a league game in Bilbao on Sunday against Sevilla.

Derby Saturday.

2005-04-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday 9th April.

Athletic 3-0 Real Sociedad.

Athletic, in a game they never loked like losing, picked up three valuable points in the derby game with the team from Donostia. Goals from Ezquerro, Yeste and Tiko, kept Los Leones in the frame for a UEFA Cup place.

.....and we are back!!

2005-04-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, after some technical problems, we are now back. Apologies for our absence.

Jose Luis Mendilibar

2005-03-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

It would appear that the current coach of Eibar, currently lying second in the second division, is the choice of the Athletic directors to replace Ernesto Valverde at the end of this season.

Although other candidates had been mentioned, Mendilibar, due to his excellent work this season, was always in with a good chance.

Santi Ezquerro

2005-03-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

Reports from Bilbao would suggest that Ezquerro, whose contract expires in the summer, is not happy with the offer put to him by the club, and could seek a move away from San Mames.

Undoubtedly one of the top Athletic players this season, Santi would no doubt attract offers from abroad, with England and Italy a possible destination. Closer to home, clubs from Spain would also be interested in signing the player who has scored 16 goals so far this season.

It has been rumoured that Villarea, Sevilla and Atletico could be in competition to sign the player at the end of June.

Aupa Julen!!!!!!!!!!

2005-03-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

Bilbao favourite, Julen Guerrero scored his 100th goal for the rojiblanca tonight, after coming on as a substitute in the 3-1 win over Albacete in San Mames.

Julen, replacing Casas, scored from a free-kick in the 93rd minute, putting a shine on a hard-won victory.

Albacete opened the scoring in La Catedral through Ruben, in the 12th minute. Santi Ezquerro levelled four minutes from half-time, and after the break Lacruz put Athletic in front in the 71st.

Bilbao are now lying in ninth place in La Liga, with eleven games remaining.

Congratulations Julen!!!

Photo courtesy of www.eitb24.com

The price of success..................................

2005-03-06T19:32:00.000-08:00

Rumours in the Basque media would suggest that the young Athletic player, Andoni Iraola has been watched by representatives of Italian club, Juventus Turin.

Iraola has been playing well this season, and it is no surprise that he is attracting attention from a club of the standing of the Italian giants. He is just one of many from an exciting pool of young Athletic players currently making a name for himself in the first team.

The player has however commented that he is very happy at San Mames.

Agur Ernesto..........................

2005-03-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

Kaixo laguns,

Latest news from Ibaigane is that our coach and former player, Ernesto Valverde, is to leave his post at the end of the season.

A post on Basque news site, EITB24, has quoted President Lamikiz as saying that his first choice as replacement, would be Michael Laudrup, current coach of Brondby in Denmark.Laudrup enjoyed a successful career as a player in Spain with both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

However, other names in the running are Miguel Lotina, currently coaching Espanol, and once of Basque side, Osasuna; Deportivo coach Javier Irureta, ex-Alaves coach Mane, and Mendilibar, currently in charge at Eibar.

The season still has a long way to go, with a two-legged semi-final to be played against Betis in the Copa, and a UEFA place to be won. Our support is with coach Valverde, and we wish him well in the remaining weeks of this season.

Kaixo......Hola.....Hello from Scotland

2005-01-24T11:52:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Athletic Club de Bilbao Scottish Supporters Club blogsite!!!

To all our members, in Scotland, Euzkadi, and England, a big Hello.

Check back regularly to read the news about the Rojiblanca, and what's happening with the Supporters Club.

Agur!