Private offering to Our Lady of Begoña

Every year, towards the beginning of the season, Athletic Club’s squads head to the Basilica in the neighbourhood of Begoña to make an offering to the statue of Our Lady Mary, the patron saint of Biscay. This year the ceremony took place in private due to COVID-19. Athletic Club’s  representatives of the male and female first teams as well as a member of the board of directors, led by club president Aitor Elizegi, were present in this year’s offering.

The men’s first team was represented by captain Iker Muniain, Óscar de Marcos, Mikel Balenziaga, Raúl García and Iñaki Williams, accompanied by head coach, Gaizka Garitano. Head coach Ángel Villacampa, captain Garazi Murua, Erika Vázquez and Marta Unzué went on behalf of the women’s first team. Third captain, Ainhoa Moraza, was unable to attend due to being on international duty with the Spanish national side. Joana Martínez and Jorge Gómez are the directors who accompanied the president.

The parish priest of Begoña, José Luis Achutegui, officiated the ceremony. For sure, our players will wish that they can return to Mary next year with some cup titles, especially as they are already in the final and semi-final, respectively. But the priority is health, with the pandemic much is at stake, much more than in football.