In recent weeks in Bilbao, the long-awaited final on April 6 has been the only talk, and no wonder. An event welcomed by the city and the whole of Bizkaia, with red and white being the dominant colors on balconies, shop windows, bars, metro stations and almost on any corner. Again it is more than clear that Athletic does not only move football fans, but it is a social phenomenon that moves the entire territory that feels identified with the values of the club.
Not too many teams can boast of achieving such a response from their people and their city at an event like this. Excitement is at an all-time high and no one wants to be left behind in this ship that could bring the Cup back to Bilbao after 40 years. However, illusion should not be confused with overconfidence.
It is true that the circumstances – the great form of Athletic and the category of the rival – draw the perfect scenario for the rojiblancos to be proclaimed champions of the Copa del Rey, but the final is a final. Although Athletic are the favourites, anything can happen and it is not advisable to underestimate a Mallorca team that, no matter what, has eliminated teams of the status of Girona and Real Sociedad.
It’s great to be excited and celebrate before, during and after the game if you finally win. It gives strength to the team and creates a climate of joy and fun that binds people together. There is a lot of this in Bilbao, but I notice that sometimes we are too confident.
It seems that the match on April 6 in Seville will be a walk in the park or even that victory is already ours, but nothing could be further from the truth. We will have to fight and I’m sure Mallorca won’t make it easy. That is why it is advisable to get rid of the feeling of superiority as soon as possible, because if it is maintained and finally does not achieve success, the fall can be great.
There’s only a week left before the big day and the nerves and excitement are at a crescendo. Seven days for what will surely be a party that we all remember in these parts, especially if in the end what we want to happen. Until then, let’s continue to dream about the Cup, but be careful and humble so that the increase is the joy and the celebration, and not the blow of the fall.
Athletic and its loyal fans have always been characterized as exemplary and worthy of admiration for hundreds of reasons that do not need to be repeated, so let’s prove it again. We are doing our thing for the Cup.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
