The mythical Iribar greets the captain of Juventus before the end of 1977 (Twitter: @athletictxistu)
The Athletic Club de BilbaoIt is a large Spanish football. Not in vain, The Basque side is one of the most successful of our football 8 leagues and 23 Copas del Rey (in addition to 2 Supercopa of Spain). But nevertheless, the great unfinished business of those San Mames It is to lift a European title. Three times has had a chance to get it but in all European finals was defeated. what we review.
Copa America 1955-1956
came the Athletic as new champion league and cup as one of the favorites to clinch the trophy in the year 1956. The Copa America It was a certain prestige tournament but ended up succumbing to the creation of the European Cup. By then, the format was quite similar to the 'Final Four’ Euroleague Basketball. Athletic Club, Nice, Benfica (before the resignation of Oporto, Champion of Portugal), Milan (before the resignation of Fiorentina, Italian champions) a semi would dispute and end precisely Milan.
Forecasts were met and Athletic He defeated by 2-0 al Nice Meanwhile he AC Milan did the same for 4-2 al Benfica. Thus, the Lions They should see their faces against the Rossoneri he would have public support. Finally the Cup stayed in Italy as locals were imposed by 3-1. Athletic that formed with: Carmelo, Orue, Garay, Canito, Mauri, Maguregi, Arteche, Marcaida, Arieta, Uribe and Gaínza.
UEFA Cup 1976-1977
More of 20 years had to wait for the rojiblancos fans to see their team back to play European Cup finals. The Athletic Club after a brilliant participation in that UEFA 76-77 He stood in the final against a strong opponent as Juventus.
The road to the final was not easy for either. The Basque team eliminated Ujpest Dozsa Hungarian, Basel Swiss, Milan, Barça Y Molenbeek Belgian. Meanwhile, the Juve He left on the way to Manchester City, Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Magdeburg and AEK Athens.
The final (which at that time it was played over two legs) He left a narrow win (1-0) for Italian in Turin while San Mames, in a large gathering of local, the Athletic He managed to win by 2-1. The double value of the goals scored in the attacking half allowed the Old lady win the title again and depriving the rojiblancos a European title.
It was Athletic Iribar, Alexanco, Villar, Irureta, Amorrortu, Dani and Txetxu Rojo among others with KoldoAguirre coaching. The bianconeri had players of the caliber of Dino Zoff, Gentile, Scirea, Tardelli, Or Boninsegna Bettega, all directed by Trapattoni on the bench.
Some images of the second leg at San Mames (Photo: EITB)
UEFA Cup 2011-2012
The third European finals of Athletic Club It was much more recent in time. Although they say the third time's the charm, neither could be and the boys led by Marcelo Bielsa they returned to stay with honey on the lips. This time the opponent was a distant relative, the Atletico Madrid directed by Simeone.
That edition left qualifying and victories in the history of San Mames. Manchester United, Schalke 04 and Sporting Lisbon were among those who fell under the claws of lions. Especially moving was the victory at Old Trafford 2-3. But nevertheless, the final was clearly for Atletico Madrid who managed a strong marker 3-0.
