Game Notes from Bilbao

This was a game I had looked forward to all year. The stadium called San Mames but colloquially called La Catedral is held to be one of the best stadiums in Spain. It is a small stadium in the centre of the city enclosed all the way around with a small pitch but I was expecting more from their fans.
The city is lovely and we ate very well. We managed to meet up with Dave from Armada Sur before the game and had a few drinks in a bar near the stadium. There was a great atmosphere outside the stadium and in spite of the troubles last Thursday between the Athletic fans and the fans from Anderlect there was no trouble.

Yes they can clap well when they score and you could hear their fans behind the goal once or twice but the Tenerife fans who were only about 250 out sung them endlessly. To a point after the game when the Athletic fans actually applauded the Tenerife fans.
Of the CDT fans there was a range of ages. There were elderly fans who couldn't stand the whole game and there was a fair amount of complaining from them when anyone else stood up. Dave and I from Armada Sur with a range of others including 3 fans from Sociedad who were there to support Mikel Alonso. There were fans from the Peña Instinto Blanquiazul who were amazing in their support. Even after the 4th goal by Athletic they sang and sang. The players even came over after the game to thank the fans for their support.



ATHLETIC DE BILBAO 4 (2)
CD TENERIFE 1 (0)

ATHLETIC DE BILBAO
Iraizoz; Iraola, San José, Amorebieta, Koikili; David López, Gurpegi (Etxeberria, 65’), Iturraspe, Gabilondo; Toquero (Muniain, 77’) & Llorente (De Cerio, 60’).

CD TENERIFE
Aragoneses; Marc Bertrán, Culebras, Ezequiel Luna, Sicilia; Ricardo, Mikel Alonso (Kome, 56’); Juanlu (Richi, 74’), Alfaro, Ayoze (Manolo Martínez, 26’); & Nino.

REFEREE
Undiano Mallenco, from navarra. Sent off visitor Culebras (16’). Yellow cards for local player Amorebieta, and visitor Mikel Alonso.

GOALS
1-0: (17’) Llorente, from a penalty. 2-0: (22’) Toquero. 3-0: (53’) Iraola. 3-1: (59’) Alfaro. 4-1: (64’) Gabilondo.

INCIDENTS
In the stadium San Mamés. With 38.000 spectators. The ground was grass and was in good condition. Sunny afternoon, but somewhat cold.



The game started slowly, with both teams playing tactically more than the football.In the 16th minute Culebras was sent off for a foul on Toquero that didn't exist. This really spoiled any chances we might have had.
The penalty was converted into a goal by Llorente which left CD Tenerife in pieces. 5 minutes later Toquero passed the ball to Llorente and he headed it and Toquero finished it in the goal.

After the second goal the game calmed down and CDT started to have chances although none of them were dangerous. and this is how the game reached half time.
After half time the game was more exciting and in the 46th minute Nino had a good chance but it went just outside the post. Only two minutes later Athletico has a goal disallowed as Iraola was offside.
In the 53rd minute, Iraola sentenced the game with a goal. Alfaro managed to score a great goal but it helped nothing and finally Gabilondo scored the 4th for Athletic.

CD Tenerife never gave up and they fought to the end even with one man less.