“Kids, you don’t know what you’ve done.” This phrase is attributed by some to the legendary Piru Gainza and others to the then president Pedro Aurtenetxe. The context, in any case, is the same in both cases. Athletic had just been proclaimed champions of the 1982-83 League after winning 1-5 at Las Palmas and the barge was preparing to sail the estuary for the first time with Clemente’s lions on board.
“Guys, you know what you did.” Valverde and his lions had the chance yesterday to enjoy the same experience that Rubio de Barakaldo and his team had 40 years ago. Greater Bilbao was too small to celebrate the Cup title won on Saturday in Seville against Mallorca. If what we experienced in the city of Seville was incredible, what happened yesterday far surpassed it.
Gabarra, reformed and elegant as always, crossed the estuary on an approximate route of 12 kilometers where the Athletic feeling appeared on all four sides of thousands and thousands of people. Jon Uriarte himself gave “a million thanks to the million people” who, according to his calculations, joined this red-and-white party.
Only one in the world. Once again the Bilbao club made it clear that theirs is not just football. Athletic is a feeling. A feeling that, as shown again, is transmitted from parents to children, with the ball or not.
“We all belong to Athletic for something and above all for someone,” said Lekue from the balcony of City Hall before becoming visibly moved and dedicating this Cup to his father who died more than a year ago the past. Family, always family. Themselves and the red and white.
No one wants to miss it
The 1983 and 84 champions, by the way, traveled in their own boat. The only thing missing is the presence of current coach Luis de la Fuente. Others of those mythical lions appeared with Clemente, Manu Delgado and the physio Miguel Gutiérrez.
About three hours of walking in Gabarra is left, from Marítimo de Las Arenas to Bilbao City Hall. A walk that also served as an awareness of the metamorphosis experienced by the various municipalities through which many processions passed. Around 160 boats – one of which, by the way, was piloted by today’s and yesterday’s Barça player in red and white Iñigo Martínez – and 32 trawlers completed the delegation.
Greater Bilbao knows how to adapt to new times by putting aside its industrial vocation to become a city of services and tourism. The red and white club has also had to adapt to this modern era, but not give up on its roots. Philosophy, friend.
Athletic fans have once again shown the world that what this club is doing is madness. Little ones, even babies, share space, color and emotions with their siblings, their aitas or amatxus and even their mamas or aitites. All in the family. If they know how to be in bad times, how can they not be in good times.
“I’ve been here for six years and I can say that coming here was the best decision in my life,” Yuri said from the balcony of City Hall. Raúl García also enjoyed his experience as a lion. De Marcos acknowledged that, along with the birth of his children, “this was the best day of my life.”
Yesterday, Athletic Gabarra ceased to be an unattainable dream for several generations of red-and-white fans who, since Endika’s long-awaited goal against Barça in 1984, have not enjoyed a show that go around the world . Better late than never.
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.
