undefined

Assessing the Premier League International Cup U23

Assessing the Premier League International Cup U23

Joseba Etxeberria highlights “the impact the tournament had on the evolution and development of our young players” that let them play against U-23 quarries such as Liverpool or PSG

Athletic Club has taken part during this season in the sixth edition of the prestigious Premier League International Cup U23, which every year and for more than five years, has brought together attractive clashes between some of the best quarries from all over Europe. During the tournament, they do not only compete against each other but they also gain useful international experience.

Joseba Etxeberria has been in charge of leading the Zurich team in their three matches played in England: “It has been a great experience – the manager of Bilbao Athletic emphasizes-. Despite not being able to get through the rounds, we have competed one-on-one in three matches that have allowed us to see players who were participating less in the reserve team and also Basconia’s boys. We have faced competitive youth teams, played against high level players, some of them playing internationally. They are new feelings that always benefit young players. Besides, since the match was held on Wednesday, it has not altered the weekly dynamics very much.”.

As part of Group E, Athletic Club made their debut on October 30 at the Recreation Ground in Aldershot with a narrow 1-0 defeat against Paris Saint Germain, whose single goal scored by Alexandre Fressange earned them three points. On November 27, Wolverhampton Wanderers took the lead through Benny Ashley-Seal, but Gorka Guruzeta’s goal after half time established the definitive 1-1 draw at St. George’s Park in Burton-upon-Trent. Finally, last Wednesday, The Academy was the scene of a great performance by Athletic Club against Liverpool FC , to whom they beat 2-0 at half-time thanks to a double from Iñigo Baqué, but Jack Bearne’s goal less than ten minutes from time eliminated our team.

In this edition of the Premier League International Cup, 27 players from Bilbao Athletic and CD Basconia have taken part: Iru, Agirrezabala, Areso, Bernaola, Vivian, Luengo, Murua, Paredes, Álvaro Núñez, Lorente, Rojo, García de Albeniz, Vencedor, Baqué, Víctor San Bartolomé, Salado, Zarraga, Prados, Unai Naveira, Artola, Morcillo, Asier Córdoba, Jon and Gorka Guruzeta, Tascón, Cabo and Ewan Urain.