Eight years since we reached the Europa League final
Eight years since we reached the Europa League final
In 2012, April 26, Athletic beat Sporting Portugal 3-1 at San Mamés
On this day, April 26, but eight years ago, Athletic Club won by 3 goals to 1 over Sporting Clube de Portugal in the second leg of the semifinal and certified the pass to the UEFA Europe League final.
In the first leg in Lisbon the Portuguese won 2-1, so the victory seemed essential to overcome the tie. Susaeta scored soon, with his goal in the 17th minute. The Dutchman Van Wolfswinkel made the provisional tables in the 44th minute and Ibai scored in the 46th. With that result, an extra time would have been necessary, but Llorente’s goal in the 88th minute brought happiness to The Cathedral.
After overcoming the group stage of the competition ahead of RB Salzburg, PSG and Slovan Bratislava, Athletic Club beat in the qualifying rounds Lokomotiv Moscow, Manchester United and Schalke 04 before crossing with the Portuguese club.
After the one in the UEFA Cup 1977, the one in 2012 in Bucharest was the second European final that our club has played.