THE REPORT A very Basque Cup final

February 10, 1929

The first derby in history in the elite in Spain was Basque and took place in Atotxa 92 years ago. Donostiarra Paco Bienzobas opened fire as a scorer (minute 30), who that season would obtain the first Pichichi trophy for the top scorer in the category. Luis Bergareche tied at 43 '. This was later director of the Vuelta a España from 1955 to 1978, when it was organized by the newspaper ‘El Correo’.

Agustín Sauto, 'Bata', whom they called that since one day as a child he went out to play football with his friends wearing a robe to walk around the house, was a reference producer in those origins. He scored three goals in the widest victory achieved by the rojiblancos in a derby at San Mamés (7-0, 1934-35). There has been another 7-0, in a Regional Championship in 193, again with a robe showing off, he made another ‘hat-trick’ and a double from Iraragorri. Those who hosted the highest number of goals in history were a 1-7 in Atotxa on February 16, 1930, with three from Gorostiza, three from Iraragorri and one from Unamuno I. The score was also traced, but in San Mamés, the March 4, 1951, with Zarra as the star, since he raised a hand of goals. This is the highest scorer in the history of the Basque derbies in the League, with 14 goals. And another 7-1 came in a friendly in 1925.

Iribar-Arconada, two legends at the finish line

Iribar is the greatest legend in the two clubs. His 614 games put him on the absolute podium, ahead of Gorriz, who leads the Donostia table with 599. Txopo spent 18 seasons defending the goal of San Mamés. He won two Cups and the Zamora in the 1969-70 campaign. He will always have the thorn of the UEFA final lost to Juventus in 1977. The goalkeeper who marked an era on the other side of the AP-8 is Arconada, fourth in the club's ranking with 551 commitments, in 15 seasons. Coincidentally, the record of the former is worse in league derbies is unfavorable: 13 defeats, five victories and three draws against Real.

Arconada coincided with the last years of Iribar. The first time they played a derby between them was on March 28, 1976 (Real won, 3-2), and the last time, on September 15, 1979 (Athletic 0-Real 1). They met seven times, with five victories for Real and two for Athletic. Arconada was under the sticks of Atotxa on the day that Real was proclaimed champion for the second time in a row, by beating Athletic 2-1. Both had their song: “Iribar is great” and “Nothing happens, we have Arconada!”.

The ikurriña derby

Real's biggest win against Athletic came in what was known since then as the 'ikurriña derby', a 5-0 on December 5, 1976, when the captains of both teams, Kortabarria and Iribar, took to the field holding an ikurriña that had been provided by another Real player, Uranga, who had not been summoned. It was difficult to find one and she entrusted it to her sister, Ane Miren, a good seamstress: a red cloth, green and white bands, needle and thread. He sneaked it into the stadium as best he could. The Basque flag had not been legalized yet, as it was associated with ETA, and was received by a great outcry from fans. 40 days later, in that Spain that was reorganized after Franco's death, the Government allowed its use. The senyera it had already circulated for some time. The image was shocking. Iribar and Kortabarria, leading the ranks, with their teammates behind. She was a young Real, with Murillo and Gaztelu as veterans, among whom the great generation of the Arconada, Zamora, Satrústegui and López Ufarte were already appearing. In Athletic he played, among others, Villar. That year he reached the UEFA and King's Cup finals, against Juventus and Betis. Since then it is said that every time there is a celebration before the derby, the Real will surely win. That handmade ikurriña can be seen today in the Royal Society museum, in the Anoeta field.

Aduriz-Satrústegui, the gunners

The victory of Real in San Mamés with four days remaining to end the 1980-81 season, with two goals from Navarre Satrústegui, paved the way for the first league title of Real Sociedad. Satrus is the top scorer in the history of Real, and also the txuri-urdin 'player who has scored the most goals for Athletic in league competition: 13. His career was cut short by a meniscus and cruciate ligament injury in 1982 Aduriz has been an example of longevity. His best performance has been offered from the age of 30: he returned to Athletic in 2012 at the age of 31 and a half, having previously scored 23 goals as a lion and since then he has achieved a whopping 149 goals. A hip injury and the pandemic kept him from the dream of the Cup final. When he scored his team did not lose. Aritz hung up his boots with 39 springs as the sixth highest scorer in Athletic's history, with 172 goals in 407 official matches. He is Athletic's third top scorer in the 80 years since the Civil War, after Zarra and Dani. He has been the team's top scorer on 8 occasions, a record only surpassed by Zarra's 10 seasons. He left as the oldest player to score with Athletic and the second oldest to play an official match, after goalkeeper Armando. Between the debut and the last game of Aritz as a lion, 17 and a half years passed. There are only two superior registers: those of Gainza and Iraragorri. And he left as Athletic's top scorer in European competitions, with 34 goals. At the age of 31, it had not yet been released! Aduriz has scored 48 different rivals with Athletic, a record in our history. In fact, no other lion has ever exceeded 40.

The latest titles

The 80s of the last century had a clear Basque accent. And in several cases both clubs saw each other in decisive matches. In the last game of the 1981-82 season, Real played their second league at home against Athletic. The 2-1 victory, with goals from Zamora and López Ufarte –Sarabia scored for Athletic–, gave the San Sebastian side the second consecutive league title. That team is still remembered today: Arconada, Gorriz, Zamora, Larrañaga, Satrústegui, Periko Alonso… a group governed by Ormaetxea. Then the coin flipped. Athletic won the title in 1982-83, and for this they had to break a 14-year streak losing at Atotxa. The return derby, in San Mamés, on the penultimate day, was essential, to continue with options to snatch the first place from Real Madrid. Goals from Dani and Argote gave the lions victory. A victory in Las Palmas and a merengue stumble against Valencia gave the Bilbao club the title, leaving 27 years of drought behind. It was the seventh League. And in the 1983-84 season, a new moment in history. Everything was played precisely against Real. Liceranzu scored 1-0, but in the second half Uralde tied and a chill ran through San Mamés. There were seven minutes to go when Argote took a corner, Liceranzu finished off again and gave Athletic the eighth league title. It was also the 3,000 goal for the rojiblancos in the history of the competition. The fans invaded the field.

At that time, the celebration of the titles on board the Gabarra became popular, which plowed the Ría de Bilbao in front of a million people on both banks. These days it has become fashionable again due to the restoration it has undergone, worth 200,000 euros, paid for by Athletic.

Aldridge, first alien

La Real broke with a common philosophy of not signing foreigners in 1989. Of course, before the arrival of the Swede Agne Simonsson (Gothenburg, Sweden, October 19, 1935) was registered, who remained one season, that of 61-62. That year the team would descend to the Second Division. He played 22 games, in which he scored 8 goals. He broke the tradition maintained from the beginning of hiring only national footballers. Under the presidency of Iñaki Alkiza, the transfer policy was changed and the borders were opened in the Real. Aldridge had played for Newport County AFC, the club where he made his professional debut; Oxford United F.C; and in the mythical Liverpool. In the 1989-90 season he arrived in Donostia, but he barely stayed at the club for two years. Despite this, his level in San Sebastián was very high. In just 75 games with the txuri-urdin club, he scored 40 goals, being the offensive benchmark. Since then, it is very common to see foreigners in the Blue and White team. Athletic, meanwhile, has remained faithful to its philosophy of hiring only Basques, although it has sometimes stretched that idea to the limit of what is forbidden with people like the French Laporte.

Unpublished ending

Athletic and Real are centenary clubs, which treasure titles, but have never met in a final of the Spanish Cup in its different modalities (Spanish Championship, 1903-1930; Republic Cup, 1931-1936; National Tournament of Football, 1939; Copa del Generalísimo, 1940-1976; and Copa del Rey, since 1977). Their last confrontation was in the 1987 semifinal in a two-legged tie (0-0) and (0-1), where Real ended up winning the Cup. Of course, La Cartuja will be the fourth Basque final in history. . Athletic has been in the other two, one won against Vasconia in 1910 and another lost against Real Unión de Irún in 1913. The latter club was measured against Arenas, another historic one, in 1927 and prevailed thanks to a goal from Echeveste. .

Etxeberria, Iñigo Martinez, Remiro …

Each transfer from one club to another has caused an earthquake in the north of the Basque Country. The last blow of effect was carried out by Jokin Aperribay, snatching the eternal rival from Remiro. A kind of revenge, if you will, for all the operations that ended with a txuri- urdin being photographed in Ibaigane next to an Athletic president. Loren, Lutxo Iturrino and Bittor Alkiza are some recent examples, with the added spice in the case of the latter being the son of former president Iñaki Alkiza. And in recent times Imaz, Billabona, Iñigo Díaz de Cerio, Xabi Castillo, Balenziaga, Gorka Elustondo and Etxeberria have taken that step. A fat woman was armed with this last case, in 1995. Ibaigane paid the 550 million clause for a 17-year promise that aimed very high. It marked an era for the right wing of San Mamés. And it has become the third in number of games with Athletic. He was a star in a Qatar U-20 World Cup (he arrived as a substitute, but an injury to Morientes allowed him to play six games and be the top scorer, with seven goals) and Real never believed that they would take him away. The last case has also unleashed enormous dust: Iñigo Martínez arrived in January 2018, after the departure of Laporte and the payment of his clause, set at 32 million (now he has 80). His first visit to Anoeta was very hard, with a shower of false bills when he set foot in Donostia.

The new stadiums

Bilbao and San Sebastián are also united by having brand new stadiums, although with a nuance: San Mamés is completely new and Anoeta has renovated its old field, eliminating the athletics tracks, it has even been renamed Reale Arena due to a commercial varnish. In 2013, the new Athletic Coliseum was inaugurated, which partly sits on the grounds where the old Cathedral stood. While the old one was being used, the new one was built, in the shape of a horseshoe, leaving one of the funds pending for when that one was demolished. Finally, a capacity of 53,289 seats has been reached. Today it is one of the architectural jewels of Bilbao, along with the Guggenheim Museum and the Iberdrola Tower. UEFA chose it as one of the venues for the European Championship postponed in 2020. The Reale Arena saw the light in the 2019-20 campaign, after two and a half years of construction. The capacity has gone to 39,500 seats. Already remodeled, it premiered on September 14, 2019 in front of Atlético de Madrid and a record attendance of 36,000 spectators. The last Basque derby at La Catedral, on February 22, 2013, ended with a visitor triumph by 1-3 (Ibai, Griezmann, Agirretxe and Carlos Vela).

33 youth players between the two

The current icons in both teams, players trained in the quarry and who act as stars, are Williams and Oyarzabal. Iñaki has a relationship until 2028, when he is 34 years old, and his termination clause amounts to 135 million euros. He dreams of sharing a team with his brother Nico, one of Lezama's pearls. He is on his way to beat Larrañaga as the player with the most consecutive games in LaLiga. He's going to do five years without missing a single one. And Oyarzabal was tempted twice by the neighbor, but both times he closed the door. This year he has broken his love affair with penalties. Merino has taken away some of his focus, but he is the franchise player in Anoeta. La Real has 16 players trained in its first squad: Zubeldia, Elustondo, Aihen Muñoz, Le Normand, Zaldua, Guevara, Barrenetxea, Gorosabel, Guridi, Roberto López, Illarramendi, Merquelanz, Zubimendi, Sangalli, Oyarzabal and Bautista. And Athletic has 17: Unai Simón, Herrerín, Núñez, Capa, Yeray, Lekue, Yuri, Nolaskoain, Unai López, Sancet, Zarraga, Vencedor, Morcillo, Muniain, Williams, Iñigo Vicente and Villalibre.

Daniel Ruiz-Bazán is the last lion to lift the Copa del Rey. It was in 1984, 37 years ago, and he wants Muniain to take over. In his time, the celebrations aboard the Barge were patented and precisely next to that platform and the San Mamés stadium, the historic '7' attends AS. Dani's charisma (Sopuerta, 69 years old) is enormous. He is the third scorer in the history of Athletic and one of the players most loved by the stands. Even young people today recognize him.

I am a bit fed up, allow me the confidence and irony, to interview you for being the last Athletic captain to lift a Cup. Now there are two finals coming. It would be bad if this serial does not end here …

You will say! LOL. It is on everyone's mind that of the two, let's at least get one. The ideal would be to win both, but let's not be selfish either. It would be good to raise a Cup at the moment we are, as football is doing, and how is our team. It would be a great triumph.

If you have to take one … the derby?

I look at him as a footballer. If you lose the first, the second will be more difficult, not because it is one team or another, I do not try to focus on the rivalry. Morally it can influence that you lose the first one. You still play a good game and if you fall, you turn your head a lot. It happened to us in '84, everyone thought Barcelona was going to win, and then Endika's goal gave us victory. You still dominate, you think you can win and if you lose, it would be very detrimental to the second. The first thing is to win the one on Saturday, and then let it be what God wants.

Being able to win a Cup 37 years later and have two finals in 14 days has to create anxiety …

A lot. The coach has handled the logical discourse of thinking about the League so far but it is unthinkable, because the player has a tingling … you look at the calendar and remove a sheet every day, until it arrives it is impossible to get rid of it. It has not happened in life. It is badly done by the Federation to put two finals in two weeks. The logical thing was to wait a month or at the end of the season for the second. There will be some explanation.

Did waiting a year for this final seem good to you?

Antes que el Athletic, las finales y el fútbol, está la vida de las personas, de los aficionados. Tenemos que pensar en la cantidad de hinchas del Athletic que se han ido e intentar evitar que nos deje ni uno más. Cada vez que veo una esquela en el periódico y el escudo del Athletic a la izquierda, se me parte el corazón. Evitar eso es lo más importante. El Athletic es tan grande que ya se celebrará. Los de Bilbao hacemos lo que nos da la gana ¿no? Ahora tenemos que demostrarlo: lo celebraremos cuando nos plazca. Ojalá nos llevemos las dos finales, y como si lo festejamos el 31 de febrero. La gente debe ser prudente y hay que celebrarlo en familia, con banderas y trompetas en los balcones. Cuantos menos riesgos corramos, mejor. No a las aglomeraciones.

Pero ver La Cartuja vacía da un dolor terrible…

Ha sido un año terrible. Estoy viendo el fútbol y parece otra cosa. Veo al Athletic y tengo un sentimiento apático, una tristeza… San Mamés vacío es muy triste. El Athletic vive al 99 por ciento de su afición y no tiene respaldo. Ahora nos llega una situación excepcional, pero hay que imponer la prudencia.

La final aquella, el gol de Endika, la tángana con Maradona…

La Copa, las Ligas… llevaba una trayectoria de muchos equipos cedido, con doce años en el Athletic. Estaba llegando al ocaso de mi carrera y pensaba en la cama: me voy sin conseguir ningún título. Cuando uno hace una carrera larga, lamentas irte sin haber ganado nada. Y de repente me encontré con un título de Liga siendo capitán, uno de Copa y otra Liga. No hay adjetivos en el castellano para explicarte lo que significa. Cuando veo imágenes se me pone la carne de gallina. Ahora hablando contigo veo la Gabarra y se me remueve el alma. Es la mayor alegría del mundo que puedes vivir y los jugadores de hoy en día no han experimentado aquello, pero les puedo decir que es lo más grande que te puede pasar. El Athletic demuestra al resto del fútbol que nuestra filosofía es importante. Poder competir con todos los equipos del mundo con nuestra idea y estar en tres finales, una ya en el bolsillo, es muy grande e importante para este club.

Estamos San Mamés y aquí al lado reposa la Gabarra. Con aquel millón de personas le traerá recuerdos de los más felices de su vida.

Llenarías tres periódicos con las anécdotas, las ilusiones y las lágrimas que eché, los momentos que tuve. Ancianos de ochenta años que se nos asomaban al camión, aquel en el que veníamos de Lemona. Solo querían tocar a Dani. ¡Ni Jesucristo cuando la última cena! Me tocaban la mano y se iban más contentos solo por eso… Fue algo impresionante, es inenarrable. Veías el fondo y una marea de gente… monjas de clausura que nunca salían y allí estaban. Los de las grúas de los astilleros a 30 metros de altura, un tío que se montó un artilugio, una especie de bicicleta para ir al lado de nosotros por la Ría. Fue la ostra. La gente explotó de alegría porque llevábamos 30 y tantos años sin lograrlo y la gente lo tenía muy dentro y explotó.

Es tercero en goles en la historia del Athletic, con 199 en 402 partidos. Aduriz se quedó lejos, sexto. Parece imbatible en la tercera posición.

Ahora es más difícil. Tengo una gran amistad con Aduriz y le decía: no vas a llegar, te va a faltar. Es muy complicado. Si ves las estadísticas de goles, antiguamente en nuestra época nos hacían más y hacíamos más. Antes era raro que en un partido en San Mamés no rematara cuatro o cinco veces a gol. Ahora pasas el primer tiempo y no han llegado ni una. Los sistemas son diferentes, es más difícil. No es porque ahora sean peores o que yo estaba por encima de estos. Jugábamos con tres delanteros: Dani Sarabia y Argote, o Dani, Carlos y Rojo. Y yo como mucho bajaba a medio campo, el míster quería que estuviera fresco cuando el balón andaba por arriba. Si yo bajaba de la delantera al lado de Iribar, volvía a subir y hacía 20 carreras… a la tercera le sacaba el dedo al Txopo y le soltaba: no bajo más, para ti. Era otro tipo de juego. Hoy es más conservador. Vamos a San Mames, metemos ocho tíos atrás y que tiren por donde quieran. Marcan uno y nosotros, lo mismo. Es muy triste el fútbol actual. A veces estoy en casa y mi mujer me dice: estás bostezando. ¡Es que me estoy aburriendo! Me encanta le fútbol pero esto…

¿Si pudiera tachar a uno de la Real sería a Oyarzabal?

Soy un deportista y no tacho a ninguno. No hay cosa que más destete que la gente que odia a la Real o comentarios de esos contra el rival.

¿Pero quién es el que más le gusta del enemigo?

Oyarzabal tiene un algo especial. Pero tienen un equipo muy completo, difícil, superior al nuestro, pero no quiere decir que sea superior en la final. La final la juegas contra el equipo que crees que es más fácil y te crea problemas porque es un momento puntual de hora y media. Tienes que superar nervios, decisiones arbitrales, fallos, expulsiones… todo junto y, al que mejor le sale, gana. No es que la Real sea favorita. Hay quien dice que el Athletic es más experto en estas lides. Yo también tengo a un amigo muy experto que hace unos tabiques de la leche y a veces le salen torcidos y se equivoca. Es el día, el momento y la hora. Está a un cincuenta por ciento y el que sea mejor, ganará.

Formó parte de la mejor Real de la historia. Lo ganó todo vestido de Txuri-urdin. En la final de 1987, cuando la Real ganó su última Copa, el ‘Petit Diable’ jugó su último partido como realista.

¿Sensaciones?

Para empezar pienso que en una final no hay favoritos. Eso para empezar. Es verdad que el Athletic ha ido hacia arriba y el Athletic un poco hacia abajo, es verdad. Pero eso no quita para decir que la Real tiene mucho más fútbol que el Athletic, y lo lógico es pensar que seremos campeones, si no se cometen errores.

¿Ve parecidos razonables en el camino de esta Real hacia la final y el que hicieron ustedes?

Quizá el formato es parecido. Porque también jugamos en campos del mas débil. Y luego ya se hacia a doble partido, como la semifinal contra el Athletic, que ellos pensaron que nos habían eliminado cuando nos quedamos con nueve jugadores pensando en la vuelta en San Mamés. La Real actual ha hecho más o menos lo mismo que hicimos en el 87. El problema es que hace un año la Real si era favorita porque estaba arrasando, y ahora todo está más igualado.

¿Todavía se acuerda de aquella final del 87?

Claro, porque fue mi último partido con la Real, y el último título que logra la Real, marque un gran gol a pase de Bakero, y que luego Arconada paró el penalti decisivo. Pero no fuimos ni Arconada, ni yo, ni Bakero… sino que gana la Copa la Real, gana el aficionado y el equipo, porque jugar con equipo es lo que habría que destacar.

¿Sabía que iba a ser su último partido la final?

No sabía a qué equipo iba a ir, pero sí que iba a ser mi último partido porque ya me lo había comentado el entrenador. Pero yo salí con todo porque quería ganar la Copa.

¿No le sorprende que haya pasado tanto tiempo sin que la Real haya jugado otra final?

I do not know. En estos tiempos que corren es difícil competir contra los grandes. Pero tiene mérito llegar a esta final. Es muy complicado porque los presupuestos de los grandes son mayores. Ganar títulos siempre es complicado, y creo que la Real no debería dejar pasar esta oportunidad. Hay que ganar como sea, no solo jugar la final.

¿Qué consejo le daría a los jugadores de la Real?

No se si hay que dar consejos. Pero si creo que mentalmente hay que ser fuerte y no caer en el desánimo. Hay que jugar concentrado y a tope desde el principio.debemos aprovecha la dinamita que tiene en ataque. Y nuestra posesión debe ser más vertical.

¿Que sea contra el Athletic le da otro picante a la final?

Una final da igual jugarla contra quien sea, pero si es verdad que ahora mismo todo el mundo comenta todo el rato te comenta que hay que ganarles. Es un aliciente para poderles ganar.

¿Si pierde la Real la final nos metemos en un búnker?

No, que va. Esto es sólo fútbol. Pero es cierto haber perdido algún derbi en Nochevieja por ejemplo, y es noche ni se me ocurría salir de casa. Pero vamos a olvidarnos de esa posibilidad porque hay que ser fuerte y jugar a fútbol, no esconderse y tener miedo de ir a por ellos. Pero no siempre se puede así que lo que tenemos que jugar es el partido.

La Copa del Rey estrena final con derbi vasco entre Athletic y Real Sociedad. Pero no es la primera vez que se dan cita dos equipos de Euskadi en la pelea por el título. Ha ocurrido en otras tres ocasiones, con el Athletic implicado en dos de ellas y victorioso en una.

20 de marzo de 1910

La primera de esas finales entre equipos vascos la jugaron el 20 de marzo de 1910 el Athletic y el Vasconia Sporting Club de San Sebastián en el campo de Ondarreta de la capital guipuzcoana. El club bilbaíno se impuso en la final por 1-0 con un gol de Remigio Iza.

FICHA DE PARTIDO

Athletic: Astorquia, Arzuaga, Amann, Belauste, Cameron, Grapham, Hurtado, Iza, Burns, Veitch e Iceta.

Vasconia: Bea, Arrillaga, Pérez, Airreveche, Goitisolo, Irureta, Prast, Simmons, McGuinnes, Lacort y Saura.

GOL: 1-0 | Remigio Iza (min. 56)

22 de marzo de 1913

En 1913 el título se lo disputaron el Athletic y el Racing Club de Irún en el estadio de O'Donnell en Madrid. El 22 de marzo se jugó un primer partido que concluyó con igualada a dos goles. Un día más tarde se celebró el encuentro de desempate en el que se impuso por 1-0 el equipo guipuzcoano con un tanto de Retegui.

FICHA DEL PARTIDO

Racing Irún: Ayestarán, Arocena, Carrasco, Izagirre, Boada, Echart, San Bartolomé, Iñarra, Patricio, I. Arabolaza, Retegui.

Athletic: Ibarreche, Solaun, Hurtado, Iceta, J.M.Belauste, E. Eguía, A.Acedo, Zuazo, Pichichi, Cortadi, Pinillos

GOL: 1-0 | Retegui (min. 70)

15 de mayo de 1927

FICHA DEL PARTIDO

Real Unión: Emery; Alza, Bergés; Pedro Regueiro, Gamborena, Villaverde; Sagárzazu, Luis Regueiro, René Petit, Echeveste, Garmendia.

Arenas Club: Jáuregui; Llantada, Críspulo Sesúmaga; Laña, Urresti, Fidel Sesúmaga; Anduíza, Rivero, Yermo, Gurruchaga, Robus.

GOL: 1-0 | Echeveste (min. 117)

La última final entre equipos vascos tuvo lugar el 15 de mayo de 1927 y la jugaron el Real Unión de Irún y el Arenas de Getxo en el estadio Torrero de Zaragoza. La finalísima, a la que asistió el Infante Don Jaime, terminó con empate a cero en sus 90 minutos reglamentarios, por lo que debió jugarse una prórroga de 30. A falta de 3 para el final, Echeveste anotó un tanto que daba el trofeo a los irundarras. Se trató de la última copa del Real Unión y la primera retransmitida por radio.