Valverde receives love next to the Gernika Tree

Athletic were declared champions of the Cup in the early hours of last Sunday, returned to Bilbao in the afternoon of the same day and until yesterday morning there was no news from the lions. The meeting took place next to the emblematic Gernika Tree. So the Bilbao club responded to the invitation received by the General Meetings of Bizkaia.

The first to be seen in town was Ernesto Valverde. The coach from Gasteiz, in the same way as what happened in Seville, was acclaimed once. What seems to be gaining a certain level of normality today was not so normal in recent years, because only once, for a minute in the Balaídos stands, did the “Valverde stay” sound. The title won on the red-and-white bench caused a great collective joy that Txingurri was gradually finding difficult to contain on an individual level.

The official Athletic delegation arrived in Gernika by bus with president Jon Uriarte and the five captains at the head. Iñaki Williams, to whom the txikis dedicated several times a song played today, replacing the original lyrics with his first and last name, Muniain, De Marcos and Raúl García also received love.

The txapela of Txopo

Same as the mythical Iribar. The Txopo, dressed in the original red and white txapela, was the last to leave the area after staying to sign all the autographs the txiki needed, including the photos that the aitas and fathers had asked of him. The now red-and-white ambassador responded to each of the many requests he received.

Iñaki Williams also had more patience than his teammates when it came to serving small fans. Muniain and De Marcos couldn’t do it because they were carrying the trophy in their hands. Raúl García, for his part, shook hands with everyone who asked for it on the way to the bus.

The red and white representation did not end there, but many of its parts preferred to be overlooked. This is the case, for example, of Jon Aspiazu. He, now Athletic’s second coach, and Iribar were and continue to be the only two members of the Athletic family present yesterday in Gernika who knew what it was like to sail the estuary on a barge on two occasions. Aspiazu had no minutes as a lion in League matches, but he trained and was called up with the first team in the League and played a few games in what was then called the League Cup. The delegation of the Bilbao club also includes vice presidents Nerea Órtiz and Jon Ruigómez, general director Jon Berasategi and football director Mikel González, among others.

The draw of the Cup is remarkable

Different parts of Athletic’s expedition saw in situ the joy that existed among the fans after the penalty shootout victory over Mallorca in Seville and the subsequent achievement of the Cup title. Muniain, with all the reasons in the world, He spoke about the vitamin that such a sporting success represents for a club with a red and white philosophy. Valverde’s current squad, although it is still difficult to assimilate due to the proximity of the main match and all that remains of the launch of Gabarra, has made history.

The younger generation has a closer identification with the champions since early Sunday morning. Dani, Sarabia, Goiko, Txato Núñez, Zubi and company passed the baton to the current Williams, De Marcos, Muniain, Berenguer, Sancet and company. Better late than never.

On Sunday, by the way, the coach who lost the lions in the two previous Cup finals returned to Bilbao, both closed due to Covid. Muniain admitted that “we are delighted to welcome Marcelino (now Villarreal coach) to San Mamés.” A coach, someone we love very much. In particular, I have only words of love and affection for him. I sent him a message, spoke, congratulated him and we hope to meet again on Sunday and hug each other.”