Euskal Non-League Day: Aurrera KE
Euskal Non-League Day: Aurrera KE
Founded in 1921, the coastal club have always prided themselves on their heart, character and relationship with the sea
Location: Ondarroa
Ground: Campo de Zaldupe
Division: Tercera Divsión (Fifth tier)
Match: Aurrera KE vs Anaitasuna (Sept 9. 17:00 CEST)
Located some 65 kilometres from Bilbao, the sea is a way of life in Ondarroa and its inhabitants take great pride in being one of The Basque Country's most prominent fishing towns.
Bordering Gipuzkoa, the Bizkaian town has served as inspiration for several artists and musicians, influencing the works of Augustin Zubikarai and his son Antton, who wrote the lyrics to Athletic Club's anthem. The list of talented folk to come from Ondarroa is endless.
Sport also plays an important role in the town's life, with rowing and traditional Basque sports such as Cesta Punta being extremely popular.
One of Ondarroa’s most famed daughters was the triathlete Dina Bilbao. Born in the neighbourhood of Kamiñazpi, Dina was a pioneer, feminist and adventurer. She blazed a trail and is still remembered every year through the “Dina March”.
Her brother, Rubén, made his debut his Athletic first-team debut in the 1983 Spanish Super Cup final against FC Barcelona.
He is one of several elite footballers to have emerged from Ondarroa, with Aurrera KE playing an important role in their careers.
Formed in 1921, with the Campo de Zaldupe as their home, Aurrera are a classic Basque lower-league side.
Juanito “Katugorri” Urkizu
Urkizu is perhaps the most important Ondarreses to have ever turned out for Athletic. The most decorated person in our history, he is the only Lion to have won LaLiga and the Copa as both player and coach.
He was involved in the 12-1 wins over Barça and Celta Vigo, and he lifted four LaLiga titles and seven Copas del Rey in his time at Athletic.
Aritz Solabarrieta, Iñigo Martínez, Karmele López, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jose Mari Bengoetxea, Josu Ortuondo, Luis Mari Orue, Pello Agirreoa, Pedro Lavín and the aforementioned Rubén Bilbao are the other Ondarreses who have worn the red and white jersey.
This list grows longer when we look at those who have passed through Lezama without making senior debuts: Etor Etxaburu, Gorka Badiola, Gotzon Basaras, the Etxaburu brothers, Iker Lasarte, Iñaki Bergara, José Antonio Bedialanueta, Mikel Kortazar, Oinatz Aulestia, Simeón Badiola and Unai Pérez, among others. What's more, Ángel "Ondarru" Garitano, Edurne Burgoa and the aforementioned Agirreoa and Solabarrieta have also worked as coaches at the academy.
Currently, Basconia players Ibon Badiola and Manex Irizar, Iban Urkiza, the C team's fitness coach, and the captain of our Genuine team come from the town. It is also worth mentioning that Bilbao Athletic Beñat Gerenabarrena, a native of Lekeitio, came to Athletic Club's youth academy from Aurrera KE.
Over the course of 102 years, Athletic and Aurrera's first teams have played each other on eight occasions, with seven wins for the Zurigorri The first clash took place in 1946, while the most recent on was in 2001, both at Zaldupe.
In 1981, the only two official matches between Aurrera KE and Athletic took place in the second round of the Copa. The Lions won 0-2 at Zaldupe, with goals from Txema Noriega and Santi Merino before putting the tie to bed with a 1-0 victory in Bilbao.
