Athletic and Slavia lay the foundations for a lasting friendship

As part of its ‘Follow something unique’ initiative, promoted by Athletic Club Fundazioa in the context of the UEFA Champions League, Athletic Club shared various activities with SK Slavia on the morning before the match between the two teams, which will kick off at 21:00 CET. at the Fortuna Arena. It was precisely at the sports facilities adjacent to the Czech team's stadium that a sapling from the Tree of Gernika was planted and a Walking Football match was played, with the participation of legends such as Eli Ibarra, Gaizka Toquero and local icon Vladimir Smicer.

As highlighted by the first vice-president of Athletic Club, Nerea Ortiz, the gifts and gestures made are ‘small, but symbolic and very powerful’. In this regard, she stressed that ‘the Tree of Gernika represents the soul of Basque identity’ and that it is something ‘very special’ in the context of another European visit in which ‘we arrived as rivals and are leaving as friends’. For his part, Marek Beitl, second vice-president of SK Slavia Prague, highlighted ‘the hospitality received during last season's match at San Mamés in the UEFA Europa League and stressed the importance of ’wonderful initiatives" such as those carried out in Prague.

Although the result is not the most important thing in Walking Football, both teams drew 2-2, and the winner was decided on penalties, with Athletic taking the trophy.

The match featured true icons such as Eli Ibarra, Gaizka Toquero – who scored a beautiful goal – and local legend Vladimir Smicer, who was runner-up in the 1996 European Championship with the Czech Republic. Numerous Athletic fans enjoyed representing their beloved club, accompanied by Nerea Ortiz and fellow Rojiblanca board member Igor San Román. Among those in attendance was Ivo Knoflicek, former SK Slavia footballer and 1990 World Cup player.

After the presentation of medals and a commemorative trophy, the activities ended with a lunch that was appreciated by all participants after a match in which they had to contend with the freezing temperatures of the Czech capital. The activities continued a relationship in which, in addition to sharing colours, both entities reinforce their strong social profile and a history that dates back to the 1920s, sharing legends such as Ferdinand Daucik, beautiful European nights such as last season's, and, going forward, a lasting friendship.