SEVILLE – Athletic Bilbao beat Mallorca 4-2 on penalties on April 6 to win their 24th Copa del Rey title and their first since 1984 – ending a 40-year trophy drought in a nerve-racking final in Seville.
Bilbao have been through years of heartache, having lost their previous six Copa del Rey finals and a Europa League final to Atletico Madrid in 2012.
Coach Ernesto Valverde has won 11 trophies in his coaching career, but was quoted by The Guardian as saying: “None compares to this, because of the way we have been chasing this, because of what the Cup means, because of the finals we lost.”
Roared on by around 50,000 fans who invaded Seville and outnumbered Mallorca’s supporters at a sold-out La Cartuja stadium which holds 60,000 spectators, Bilbao put all their trauma behind to pull out the victory in the final which finished 1-1 after extra time.
Their 23-year-old goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala, who made a couple of brilliant saves during the game, saved one spot kick in the shoot-out from Manu Morlanes, while Nemanja Radonjic skied his effort.
Bilbao’s penalty takers were flawless in their execution, scoring four in a row to secure the win that crowned a brilliant season under the calm guidance of former Barcelona coach Valverde. Bilbao, fifth in La Liga, could yet secure a top-four finish.
An emotional Man-of-the-Match Nico Williams told TVE: “I’m so happy to have made history at this club, the club of my life. I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time. I’ve given everything for my family, my friends.
“The fans have always been with us and they deserve it, let’s enjoy it. It’s a dream to win with the club of my life. Everyone can enjoy it now and celebrate.”
Despite Bilbao dominating proceedings with almost 70 per cent of possession, Dani Rodriguez fired in a curling shot after a couple of other efforts had been charged down, giving Mallorca the lead in the 21st minute.
But Oihan Sancet equalised in the 50th minute before Bilbao laid siege to Mallorca’s goal, with goalkeeper Dominik Greif working his magic to deny several efforts by the Basque side.
Bilbao wasted several other chances to score late on, including Williams hitting the post in extra time. The Spain winger had taunted Mallorca with his dribbling all night.
But a gritty Mallorca outfit, who were aiming for only the second major trophy in their history after their Copa del Rey win in 2003, held strong in defence and were a threat on counter-attacks as well, before finally succumbing in the shoot-out.
“I’m emotional because I’m proud of my teammates and of the fans who came here,” Rodriguez told TVE.
“It was a dream to lift this Cup and we tried until the end.”
Bilbao are the fourth-oldest Spanish club.
They are among three never to be relegated, alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona, while staying loyal to their unique philosophy of only fielding players of Basque origin, considering it a badge of honour.
With their 24th Copa del Rey win, they have the second-most behind Barca with 31.
“This title is unlike any other,” said Valverde, who is in his third spell as Bilbao coach, having also previously played for the club.
“You only have to see how the stadium was, the fans who came here. I had refused to think about (celebrating) before the final, now I will think about it... What am I gonna do?”
Bilbao traditionally celebrate their triumphs by taking a barge down the Nervion river and past their San Mames ground.
“There were 10 commandments in the dressing room: One was not mentioning the barge. Now I want to experience it for myself,” said Williams.
“It’s been 40 years, let’s see if it still floats,” joked Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.
REUTERS, AFP
