Genuine always wins

Genuine always wins

Athletic Club Fundazioa spreads happiness as host team of Phase 2 of LaLiga Genuine held at Lezama

The celebration of Phase 2 of LaLiga Genuine in Lezama was a complete triumph. In a competition in which success has nothing to do with winning or losing, but with having a good time, Athletic Genuine, accompanied by its loyal and spirited fans, were the ideal hosts.

The 22 participating teams, more than 350 players with intellectual disabilities, thoroughly enjoyed a dream weekend. Following the championship's motto to a tee, "sharing before competing", Athletic Genuine shared the happiness of playing at home with the other teams.

Phase II began in the best possible way, with a grand opening at San Mamés, the Cathedral of Football. Jose Angel Iribar and Vicente del Bosque, accompanied by Clemente Villaverde, president of the LaLiga Foundation, and Jon Uriarte and Nerea Ortiz, president and vice-president of Athletic Club, kicked off the women's match between the Lionesses and Sevilla FC.

Nerea Ortiz welcomed the captains of the participating teams in Basque and then assured them that it was "an honour for Athletic Club to host LaLiga Genuine once again, a project that we have been committed to for years and that we value enormously. We say 'ongi etorri', welcome, and, above all, we hope you enjoy yourselves and demonstrate the importance of values".

 After the inauguration, all the captains made a guard of honour for the Athletic and Sevilla players as they took to the San Mamés pitch.

33 matches in which everyone wins

During Saturday morning and afternoon, and also on Sunday morning, a total of 33 matches were played. As happened last year in the Final Phase, Lezama was a complete party. The Athletic fans, with their flags, mascots, scarves and drums, greeted each club's arrival with welcome chants.

But the big bang came with Athletic Genuine: the anthem at full volume and a guard of honour that ended in hugs and team and fans chanting "Athletic gu gara", "Champiñones, champiñones", "Sha la la la la la Athletic Club" and other songs. The players' joy is indescribable in these moments. In the words of one of the parents of a Genuine Lion: "They couldn't be happier. Athletic has changed their lives." If happiness is combined with a sense of belonging, the emotion overflows and becomes contagious. For example, when celebrating goals you score... and, sometimes, the ones you concede.

Among the surprises this weekend, Ander Herrera's presence on Saturday stood out, the midfielder stopping by Pitch 1 to greet Athletic Genuine. On Sunday, it was Athletic Club coach Iraia Iturregi, accompanied by Ainhoa Tirapu, who greeted the Red and Whites. After the final whistle, Nerea Ortiz, Josetxu Urrutia and Egoitz Begoña, representing Athletic Club, together with Clemente Villaverde, president of the LaLiga Foundation, presented the medals to the Genuine Lions and Lionesses.