Athletic Club takes Follow Something Unique to Bergamo

The Athletic Club Foundation will take its #FollowSomethingUnique campaign to Bergamo.

The Lombard city thus joins Dortmund, Newcastle and Prague, in this list of places where Athletic Club has organised this initiative that promotes identity, respect and sportsmanship among rival fans.

Following on from the previous editions, there will be three main events organised on the morning of the Champions League match between Atalanta BC and Athletic Club: the planting of an oak tree – a sapling from the Tree of Gernika – a Walking Football match – with the participation of Gorka Iraizoz and the the Leones Italianos fan' club – and a post-match get together.

These three acts will further contribute to the spirit of Athletic's European away days, moments of celebration among a respectful and proud fanbase.

The #FollowSomethingUnique programme in Bérgamo 

This is the schedule of events organised for the morning of Wednesday 21 in Bergamo:

• 10:00: Oak tree planting ceremony, with a sapling from the tree of Gernika, in Parco Goisis (Monterosso neighbourhood) located at Viale Giulio Cesare, 50.
• 10:30: After planting, walk (400 metres) to the local football pitch at Parrocchia S. Gregorio Barbarigo.
• 11:00: Walking Football match between fans, with the participation of the Leones Italianos and ASD Oratorio Monterosso.
• 12:30 onwards: Post-match drinks

An oak tree as a symbol of gratitude

As in previous editions of #FollowSomethingUnique, Athletic Club will plant a sapling from the Tree of Gernika as a gesture of gratitude to the Italian city. This symbolic act has been made possible thanks to support from the Bergamo City Council.

Next to the oak tree, we'll place a plaque with the following message:

"Siamo arrivati come avversari, ce ne andiamo come amici. Grazie, Bergamo, eskerrik asko"

Which means: "We met as opponents, we leave as friends. Thank you, Bergamo. Eskerrik asko."

 

Walking Football match with Gorka Iraizoz and Leones Italianos

The Walking Football match organised in Bergamo features two notable attractions.

The first is the participation of Gorka Iraizoz as captain. The legendary Rojiblanco goalkeeper played for Athletic for a decade, from his debut in 2007 until 2017, making a total of 392 official appearances. Among his achievements is the Spanish Super Cup won against FC Barcelona in 2015.

The second draw is the collaboration of the Leones Italianos, who have helped with organising the match. This international fan club, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, is one of the most  beloved in the Athletic family.

In addition to their unconditional support for Athletic, common to all fan club clubs, it is essential to highlight that for many years it was the only fan club made up exclusively of members who have neither origins nor roots in the Basque Country.

Led by Franz Scordamaglia, who took over from Emiliano Gabrielli, it has 150 members spread throughout Italy. Many of them will be wearing red and white on Wednesday.