A tradition lost in Athletic

By not calling players from Athletic through Santi Denia an Olympic tradition was broken. And it’s just in Montreal in 1976 the red and white team was left unrepresented in the few Games, with the Spanish team present. Now he took the baton Paris 2024. Nico Williams, Sancet, Agirrezabala, Paredes, Prados, Unai Gómez. There were many candidates, but none passed the final filter. This is true in the case of Nico His presence influenced the European Cup.

Soccer is considered the king of sports, however in Games has a secondary role. So much so that the conditions are even mutating. In the beginning, senior teams participated and were considered a world. Then it is a tournament for novice players and from Barcelona 1992 This is for sub’23.

One way or another, except in 1976, the troops from Athletic among those summoned from Spain. From Antwerp 1920 together Belauste, Sabino, Acedo and Pichichi, an edition with four lions at the top; until First Simon at the Olympic Games Tokyo in 2021 which was delayed by the pandemic. They all won silver medals. And the senior team’s first outing is remembered for that famous shout Belauste He said to Sabino: “‘Mine is the platoon, Sabino, who prevailed over them!”.

A century ago, when Paris 1924They are there Larraza, Chirri and Goyenechea; Meanwhile at Amsterdam 1928 come Legarreta. Spain did not reach the Games until Mexico in 1968including rookie teams. Igartua He carried the Athletic flag into the lake. Nobody Montreal in 1976 and in Moscow 1980 is mentioned Urkiaga and From Andres. They played all, but those led by Jose Santamaria They did not pass the first stage.

Spain’s first and only gold was in Barcelona 1992. There it is Billabonawho only played 34 minutes in the competition. Merciful brought to karanka already Corin in Atlanta 1996fell in the quarterfinals against Argentina. Arazubia and The cross had a leading role in Sydney 2000being starters in a final where they lost on penalty kicks Cameroon. Spain did not return until London 2012when they arrived Herrera, Muniain and Javi Martínez. They bid farewell without winning a game… or scoring a goal.

In Paris There will be no Zurigorri representation… as far as the Spanish team is concerned. Yes there will be Dominican Republic together Ibai Gómez and Fernando Amorebieta on the bench, at least in terms of his past. Just in time for them to face the troops of Santi Denia in the group stage.