VI European Supporters Cup

Athletic Club’s representative team, comprised of a selection of players from the Club Supporters Association, have won the sixth edition of The European Supporters Cup, which was played in the Catalan locality of Sant Joan Despí last weekend. In this manner, the combined athleticzale team have become the team with the best track record of the tournament, they have taken part on three occasions winning twice and runners-up on the other occasion.

In the previous phase, Athletic made it to first place in Group B after having defeated Manchester City (1-0) and Levante (3-2), and reaching a goalless draw against Atlético de Madrid. The equilibrium and supremacy of the defenders predominated in the final leg of the competition, where the accumulation of matches played began to take its toll on the players’ legs.

Athletic and the English team Chelsea, the favourites to win the tournament, were face to face in the semi-finals, nevertheless, they were brought to their knees by the Red-White team during the penalty shoot out, and after the intense duel the match ended up in a nil all draw.

An Identical result occurred in the Grand Final between Athletic and San Pancracio the local team, a genuine new sensation of the Championship. But, once again, the Red-Whites showed their dominion in the lucky draw or penalty shoot out and brilliantly won the Cup which they had held up in the air three years ago under the orders of their then coach, the recently departed Ángel Nogales.

A particularly determining factor in the match was the performance of the Biscay goalkeeper Jesus Aparicio, who saved nothing less than five of the seven free kicks taken during the two halves.

During this the VI European Supporters Cup “I Carrasco Progress Memorial” Award Ceremony, the captain and coach of Athletic’s representative team, Txema Castaños, made a touching speech in memory of Ángel Nogales, an endearing person who has left his mark on the Combined Club Supporters Association Team.