That ’77 European semi-final (and II)
That ’77 European semi-final (and II)
After a 1-1 draw in Belgium, Athletic won its first UEFA final with a goalless draw at San Mamés
Today is the 43rd anniversary of the match that led Athletic Club to its first UEFA final. On Wednesday, April 20, 1977, the expectation in Bilbao was at its highest when Athletic Club could take advantage of the 1-1 draw obtained in Belgium against Racing White Daring (RWD) from Molenbeek. The Lions managed to do so thanks to a long-suffering goalless draw that, after the final whistle, made happy the supporters, who lived the match with more anxiety than expected, “caged” published the chronicles, referring also to the fact that San Mamés, for the first time in its history, had security fences around the field.
The good play in Belgium, which deserved a better prize in the first leg, suggested that the second leg would be less dramatic than it turned out to be. The uncertainty of the result, coupled with the increased possession of the ball by a physically strong Racing White, caused a constant tension and nervousness. Especially in the final minutes, when a quick throw-in from Lasa to Iribar was almost intercepted by an opponent before Txopo, who was very attentive, managed to avoid the drama that would have been caused by the last goal against.
Fortunately, all the pressure of the match was nothing more than a scare, as the team led by Koldo Aguirre, who had already eliminated Ujpest Dozsa, FC Basel, Milán and FC Barcelona, reached the long-awaited final against Juventus F.C., who beat AEK Athens F.C. on the same night of April 20. The “eleven villagers” that Athletic lined up on this memorable occasion were Iribar, Lasa, Gisasola, Goikoetxea, Escalza, Villar, Irureta (Garay, 81′), Rojo II, Churruca, Amorrortu (Carlos, 72′) and Rojo I.