

There’s A New Kid in Town
By: Elisa |HOT OFF THE PRESS!
Reports coming out of Spain state that Athletic has signed 26 year old striker, Iñigo Velez formerly of Real Murcia, for two years. His stats don’t look that great. Last year with Murcia he played 10 games and scored only one goal. But we need more options up front and he’s dirt cheap. With this signing, Caparros has five strikers at his disposal: Extebe, Fernan Llorente, Arduritz, Ion Velez and Iñigo Velez (no relation).

THAT’S OUR NEW KID IN RED/PIMENTONEROS COLORS Read the rest of this entry »
Pre Season Friendlies and Tournaments Confirmed
By: Elisa |Athletic returned to camp on July 8th. They will be based on Carmel Island near Huelva from July 10 - July 21st. Returning to Bilbao for the first time on July 26th and then heading out to London for more games. Check it out!
Preseason Time
By: Elisa |Athletic returned to pre-season training this week at the Isla Canela near Huelva. The Mister has called into camp 33 players - 5 Canteranos and 28 Lions. Joaquin Caparros has stated that the team is much improved and we need to continue to ensure that Sam Mames is our fortress. President Macua has reflected on his first year, stating that we’ve seen a much more balanced team with dreams of a return to Europe this season. Everyone is feeling quite good about this year and I for one, cannot wait for it to begin.
New Signing at Athletic and much more
By: Elisa |As the rest of us have been inundated with the Euros and looking forward to a mouth watering Spain vs Italy encounter in the quarterfinals, here’s the last news out of Bilbao~*

New signing - Joseba del Olmo Garcia
Athletic has paid the €300,000 buyout clause on Del Olmo’s contract with Eibar. Del Olmo has signed a one-year contract with the club. The contract includes an automatic renewal for another year should the 27 year old striker play in a minimum of 22 official games. Athletic has also attached a buyout clause of €20million. A smart piece of business IMO. The coaching staff is expecting alot from Del Olmo. He is a different type of striker, two footed, with a lot of potential. We shall see. To date Eibar has provided Koikili, new signing Toquero and now Del Olmo. Read the rest of this entry »
Odds and Ends or Much Ado about Goalkeepers
By: Elisa |Things have kinda slowed to a grinding halt as the Euros begin.
Nevertheless, below is a recap of some of the ongoings at Athletic.
* Natxo Monreal from Osasuna is too expensive for Athletic. President Macua is not interested in paying highway robbery for any player. We need a left back, but we are not desperate. 12 M Euros, his buyout clause is too much. Tottenham’s Berchiche, Man City’s Garrido, or well there’s always Del Horno are our options. (I hope we don’t go there again.) Maybe one of the youngsters.. Read the rest of this entry »
What’s News?
By: Elisa |It’s been slow as the summer creeps in and the Euros draw near. But a couple of juicy bits on the Athletic front.

-Armando renewed for another year with the club. Armando stepped in from Cadiz and did an admirable job as interim goalkeeper back in January. He got bottled at Betis and lives to tell the tale. I am frankly estatic that he will continue at Athletic. It will be interesting to see if Gorka or Armando is Caparros’ first choice next year. Read the rest of this entry »
Basque/Vasco Coaches
By: Elisa |
I just wanted to pay homage to all the current Basque or Vasco coaches. Here’s what I have amassed to date. Incredible amount of coaches who love the beautiful game. Read the rest of this entry »
The Silly Season ~ Bilbao Style
By: Elisa |Our First Signing of the Summer aka Striker Watch:
Athletic signs Sestao River’s 23 year old forward Gaizka Toquero, who already had a pre-contract with Eibar. He is returning on loan with Eibar. He has signed with Athletic until 2010.
End of Season Score Card
By: Elisa |It’s been a helter skelter year for Athletic Bilbao, but all in all a satisfying one. It’s looking up, as I have stated in previous posts.
This end of season, instead of nail biting, swearing, suffering and agony at the end with the threat of relegation looming, it was pink elephants, chocolate bunnies and intertoto dreams.
Well intertoto belongs to Deportivo La Coruña and the days of leaking 65 goals a season, are behind Los Leones.
Here’s my End of Season Score Card…. Read the rest of this entry »
Jornada 38 - Sevilla v Athletic Bilbao
By: Elisa |Sevilla were far superior and rallied at home to thump Los Leones del Bilbao 4-1. Too many injuries, players out out of position and once Sevilla got on a roll, our heads just went down. Just like the game vs Madrid. Sad…
I don’t want to rehash all the gory details. Safe to say we were outclassed and outplayed. Kudos Ryan.
What can I say? Yes I am frustrated. One game away from the Intertoto qualification. Four games away from UEFA Cup. Read the rest of this entry »







