Well Aritz is as good as gone. He is being sold to Mallorca for $6M Euros. The powers that be are crossing their t’s and dotting their i’s, but it’s nearly a done deal. Where does that leave the zurrigori? We purchased two new strikers, Toquero and Iñigo and have since loaned them out to Eibar and Numancia, respectively. Extebe, El Gallo is getting up there in age. He is now 30 years old. If LLorente produces like last year and Extebe partners up with him, and stays injury free. Susaeta could move into the hole. Perhaps? Maybe? I’m still nervous.

This news is very disconcerting. Both the socios and dressing room are not pleased that Artiz is being sold. Aritz has approved the move. (Who wouldn’t want to move to Mallorca?) And Artiz wants first team football, which is not guaranteed at Athletic. I’ll miss you Aritz. Your aerial powress and might. Bueno Suerte.

I will feel more comfortable about this transfer if the money will go to a strong left back and another striker. Who could we sign for $6M Euros? At left back, possibly, Monreal from Osasuna, Garrido from Man City, Yuri Berchiche from Tottenham or even Del Horno on loan from Valencia again. Strikers, well they have to be cheap, but Diaz de Cerio from Real Sociedad comes to mine. Or the youngster Asier Goiria from Eibar. But if we don’t put it to good use, then I am not sure if we really have improved the team from last year. Some may say we would be worst off. Let’s wait and see.

The loss of Aritz, will leave a big hole in our line up. But if we get a quality left back and another striker, then it is a move for the greater good of the team. Maybe youth team striker, Isma Lopez will also get first team opportunities as well. This is going to be a very interesting week.

OTHER NEWS

*We lost our last two pre-season friendlies.

Conquense 1-1 Athletic. The game went to penalties and Conquense pulled through 6-5 over Athletic.

Valladolid 5-2 Athletic. Athletic went 3 nil down in the first half with just poor defensive play. It looked like Athletic was back in the game when we scored two in the 2nd half, but alas no more.

I am not too concerned, let’s put it all behind us and start afresh. The real deal is coming up against Almeria this weekend. Aw Yeah!

*Eibar wants Tiko on loan. The unwanted, veteran midfielder would be a great addition to their team. For Tiko’s sake, I hope this happens. I know we have a lot of overpaid players on our books, but Tiko always gave his heart and soul for the team and deserves a chance to play football. He’s still only 31 years of age.

*Honor guard for newly retired ex-Athletic striker, Ismael Urzaiz. Isma will be given an honor guard and the opportunity to say good-bye to the fans and socios at San Mames. Isma has always been a quality and devoted player for Athletic. He joined the team in 1996 from Espanyol and played 11 seasons with the club. Last season he played with Ajax. It will be great to give Isma his due respect at the opening game.

LA FURIA ROUND UP

Andoni Iraola got some playing time in the second half, 15 minutes to be exact. Fernando Amorebieta did not play in the friendly against Denmark. All in all, I feel both players would fit in nicely with the National Team. If Del Bosque wants the midfield to attack more (IE Alonso, Capel, Senna along with Xavi etc) and the back line to hold tight, Andoni is your man at right back. Plus he is an excellent backup to Ramos. If Del Bosque wants the full backs to attack along the wings ( IE Ramos and Capdevila) and needs more speed back in central defense to coer, than Amore is your man. Amore has much more speed than Puyol and Marchena and he has superb ball control. Well, we shall see if our two Leones get another chance in the upcoming qualifier against Bosnia Herzegovina and Armenia in September.

Before I get into my rant, let’s review the latest friendly tournaments. Athletic returned to Huelva and played two games in the Colombino Tournament. The first game on August 6th was a cakewalk. Athletic with a decisive 3 points against new boys Malaga. Ongi Etorri (Welcome) Ion Velez – cantera player returns from his loan last year to Hercules and he scores a brace (very nice). He also provides an assist to Iraola. 3-1 no big deal and with only 10 men. (I’ll get back to that later). Caparros played the big guns (Susa, Etexbe, Gorka, Yeste, Ocio) for the most part against newly promoted Malaga, odd?

The very next day, August 7th, Athletic played for the trophy vs Recreativo Huelva, the home team. This is Huelva’s tournament and this is probably the best competition that Athletic has encountered this summer. To date, Athletic has played (9) friendlies.

Caparros brought out more of a B team vs Recre. OK???? Recre beat Athletic 2-1. Athletic’s first pre-season lost. Another penalty and another expulsion or red card.

What is going on? Too many penalties given and too many red cards! Four expulsions in the last four friendlies. FRIENDLIES! Houston we have a problem. What is going to happen to the team during the regular season? This cavalier, bully, attitude is going to lose points and hinder our abilities to succeed and get back into Europe. Caparros doesn’t think there is a problem. I hope he’s right, but this poor pattern needs to be nipped in the bud and fast! Our rivals will use this to their advantage. Piss off Athletic and they will go ballistic. Nice!

Let’s take a look at our culprits….

ARITZ ADURIZ – 27 year old striker with a bone head move vs Charlton. Sent off in the 87 minute. Why?

ANDER MURILLO – 24 year old defender/right back, hard man, who lost it against Colchester. A rush of blood to the head. Direct red card in the 61 minute. OK, he is fairly young but he has been playing with the first team since 2005!!

FERNANDO AMOREBIETA – 23 year old central defender, a class act. Our future and the future of Spain. It is sooooo frustrating that Fernan got sent off in the 40th minute vs Malaga. We schooled Malaga. Was this really necessary? I know we pride ourselves with having the most yellows, fouls, etc but NOT red cards.

AITOR OCIO – Our poster boy or hawyt dude and 31 year old central defender. If anyone should know better, it should be veteran Aitor. But once again he was sent off with two yellow cards vs Recre in the 92 minute for naught. Brilliant!

CAPARROS SPEAKS

And what of the Mister? Well, he hasn’t come out chastising the boys. In fact he has come out a bit defensive on the issue of 16 friendlies. This is the total number that Athletic will have played this preseason. The Spanish press decided to have a go at the Manager. Here’s his response:

“I’m in my element at this club,” enthused Caparrós.

“When I first came here I was asked if I’d be watching the ‘B’ team. It amazed me that it was even conceivable that the coach wouldn’t watch the reserves.

“We have also reached an agreement with a team in Iparralde, in the French Basque country, to incorporate interesting players in the future.

“We all work 24 hours a day. What I want is footballers with intensity. We don’t stop. We train, we do reports, we monitor the characteristics of each player, we watch matches of other teams. We’re above all!”

Well, I hope there is an endgame or method to his madness. There’s gotta be. I still believe in the gaffer and his methods. Bit why play the stronger team against Malaga rather than Recre? Oh well, life goes on. But I worry about injuries and I especially worry about the emotional strength of the players. What are we a bunch of hot heads? We have got to keep our cool.

IN OTHER NEWS

Zubi (Iban Zubiaurre) has had a helluva year with the whole Real Sociedad fiasco, courtroom drama, the guilty verdict and having to pay millions to La Real for his “illegal” transfer. (All dirty laundry from the past President Lamikiz era). Zubi needs time away from the spotlight to recoup and play football. Well we have found him a home. He is being loaned this season to Elche in Alicante, the second division team. Good luck Zubi.

THIS WEEK’S FRIENDLIES:

Sunday 8/10 – Teide Tournament vs Tenerife 9pm
8/12 Friendly vs Eibar @ Zarautz 6pm
8/14 Friendly vs Cadiz 10pm Ramon de Carranza Tourney
If they win they will play 8/16 for the Trophy

Possibly 4 games in one week. Hot damn!

Was I expecting a 5 nil thrashing? Perhaps. Athletic had the majority of possession, especially in the first half. Caparros rested a lot of the A team and played 4-5-1 (Extebe, Yeste, Ocio, and Susa watched from the stadium. Javi Mar, Llorente, Casas, and Iraola came in as subs).

Team line up: Iraizoz; Murillo, Ustaritz, Amorebieta (46′ Casas), Koikili;
Iturraspe, Gurpegi, Del Olmo (92′ Iraola), David Lopez (90′ Javi Martínez), Gabilondo;
Aduriz (76′ Llorente);

El Zorro, Aritz Aduritz scored early after a nice combination between Gabilondo and young Iturraspe. This kid has been getting considerable time this pre-season and his distribution and passing has been quite impressive. But Athletic was taking the game in stride, and playing on the counter. Sort of taking it a little too easy.

Kudos to Colchester for taking it up a notch and taking the game to us. Ustaritz blocked a half volley by Yeates with his hand in the penalty area. Whoops! Talk about giving your opponent a gift. Vernon slotted in the penalty nicely. He faked out Gorka who went the wrong way. Even Stevens. Embarrassing.

In the second half, Colchester brought in new blood with five changes. Athletic only made one change Casas (at center back!!!) for Amorebieta who came off with a knock. Colchester on pure adrenalin looked sharper, more dangerous, and quite frankly ready for a rumble. I don’t know what their manager said in his half time talk but they boys came out to rattle and crunch Athletic. Colchester started kicking, bruising and clashing with our boys. The ref just turned the other eye, IMO. Murillo clashed with Coyne and then Izzet. Izzet only saw yellow, but it should have been red. Well Athletic are no boy scouts, Murillo lost his cool in the next clash and received a red in the 61st minute.

Athletic, now down to 10 men, had to watch their backs while doing whatever it takes to get another goal and not go home with their tail between their legs. New signing Joseba Del Olmo, who was having a great game, was fouled in the penalty area. Thank you ref, justice at last! David Lopez stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way. Another preseason victory for Zurrigori!!

Was this the best of wins? Of course not. Am I concerned as red cards seem to be a trend in our preseason games? Not really, that’s how we play. I’m proud of our boys. They don’t back down and will do whatever it takes to win. We do need more goal production, but that will come.

Check out the match report from the Colchester point of view.

Up next… The Colombino Trophy in Huelva as Los Leones face Malaga and then Recreativo on August 6th and 7th.

LATEST NEWS

Pablo Orbaiz and Ion Velez have recuperated and will rejoin the team in Huelva for the Colombino tourney.

Several Peñas have decided to come out against the new sponsorship on Athletic shirts. Peña Leones Italianos are boycotting the shirt. Peña Catedral de Leon will offer kits without the sponsorship. Peña Corredor de Hernanes is also boycotting the sponsored shirt.

Athletic Bilbao Google Calendar : The dates, times and events will be updated as they are confirmed. This is a great resource, so be sure to set it as a favorite on your PC. Check it out.

Well the team squeeked by with another win in London, but this time a little rough housing occurred. Here’s the jist of it.

* Early score thanks to a link up by Susaeta and El Gallo, Extebe~*
* Missed Opportunities galore, yes you Llorente!
* Missed penalty by Charlton’s Thomas. Hit the post.
* Second half full of argie barge and substitutions galore.
* Aitor Ocio yellow carded for dissent. Whuh???
* Aduritz red carded in the 90th for violent conduct or rather trying to smack Fortune.

Check out the Charlton Athletic view/Match Report.

Colchester should be fun! I hope we hear from dear ol’ Dave with his personal report on the two games.

RUMORS

It looks like President Macua is working on another kit sponsorship deal. This time with Umbro. The deal is for an additional $2M Euros per year for 3-4 years. More needed cash flow per our Prez. Athletic’s shirt sales average 60,000 units per year. This is second only to Madrid and Barça. An official announcement from the club is expected this week.

More NAYS to Premier Clubs, this time Everton who put in a bid for our young starlet midfielder Javi Martinez. Rumored to be around 6M Euros. NO, no way! Too cheap and he is critical to our success. Thank you, but NO thank you.

Under the fact stranger than fiction category – Restorations in a 13th Century Spanish Cathedral have discovered the shield of Athletic Bilbao. What??? If someone finds a foto of this, please send me a link.

FRIENDLY IN BIZKAIA VS LEMONA

7/30/08 – Another near miss. Athletic eked out another one-nil win. This time on an Own Goal forced by Orbaiz. OK, we played a reserve team, but this little Third division team from Viscaya almost beat us!

Six friendlies to date. Just nine more to go… Is Caparros sane?

Athletic won their 24th Antonio Concepcion Reboura Trophy. They played two Fourth division (Spanish Tercera) teams from Huelva – San Roque LEPE and Ayamonte.

MATCH RECAPS

The first game on July 18th vs San Roque was a goal fest. Nice to see Extebe with a hat trick. Athletic definitely got into the spirit of things quickly. Nice to see youngsters, Agueros and Ramalho get some minutes in the 2nd half.

San Roque de Lepe (IV) 0 – 7 Athletic Club
10′ Susaeta 0-1
34′ Yeste 0-2
43′ Llorente 0-3
68′ Etxeberria 0-4
70′ Murillo 0-5
78′ Etxeberria 0-6
83′ Etxeberria 0-7

First half; Iraizoz; Iraola, Ocio, Ustaritz, Casas; Susaeta, Gurpegi, Javi Martinez; Del Olmo, Yeste, Llorente

Second; Iraizoz; Casas (Agüeros 60′), Murillo, Koikili; Garmendia, Javi Martinez (70′ Jonás Ramalho), Garmendia, Gabilondo; Etxeberria, Aduriz, David Lopez

The second game the next day (7/19) was against Ayamonte. Athletic just squeaked by with a lucky win. Itturaspe and Toquero got a chance to strut their stuff. Ustaritz made a horrific mistake in defense. This gave Ayamonte’s Cris Baiano the opportunity to score. Lack of fitness was apparent. Luckily Arduritz scored with a late header or the game would have went to penalties.

Ayamonte (IV) 1-2 Athletic Club
10′ Baiano 1-0
46′ Gabilondo 1-1
89′ Aduriz 1-2

First half: Armando; Iraola, Ocio, Ustariz, Casas; Iturraspe, Gurpegi, Yeste, Susaeta, Del Olmo, Toquero

Second; Armando; Murillo, Ocio, Casas, Koikili; David López, Garmendia, Muñoz, Gabilondo; Etxeberria, Aduriz;

Next up for Athletic is the Morocco Summer Cup. Athletic will play AS Far of Rabat tomorrow in the semifinals. Udinese will play Pacos de Ferreira of Portugal in the other semifinal. The winners will face off in the tournament final on Friday. There will also be a consolation third place match that very same day. Yay, more silverware.

TRANSFER UPDATE

Igor Angulo (24, left sided midfielder) and Aitor Ramos (23, forward) have been transferred to Ecija in Segunda B. The club has sold the duo with options to repurchase should the need arrive or the players improve greatly. The two players had few appearances (5 and 7 respectively) with the first team. Both players are still quite young, so we may see them back at Bilbao.

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

RANT TIME

The Athletic fans at the foros/forums are not very happy with the signings so far. With dreams of Europe or UEFA Cup, everyone was expecting one big signing IE Nacho Monreal, Joseba LLorente, etc. Nothing. Del Olmo is the only signing worth bragging about. Instead of fighting towards Europe, Caparros and company will most likely be fighting against relegation. OK, people let’s calm down. Athletic may be one of the most popular teams, run by Socios, that has never been relegated, but due to our philosophies and finances, we do not splurge on the transfer market. We prefer to find that diamond in the rough or potential in the cantera. We need to concern ourselves with the New Catedral. Plus we are hoping that our current squad will step up, and strive for glory. We’ve got the taste of Europe last year and I really think we still have a chance in 2008-9. Yes our left back problem is a gaping hole, but put a little faith in President Macua and Caparros. Sheesh! The available Vascos in the transfer market are slim pickens or overpriced. Quite honestly, we are a team that does not like to get in debt. Very admirable indeed. We also screwed ourselves messing with La Real and this time the courts came after us! So we need to stay away from pinching La Real’s players and it hurts, but somehow we can find a way. We need to hone our skills and attack and defend as a unit. No stars, just Team Athletic. Rant over.

INJURY UPDATE

Joaquin Caparros is working our players’ asses off with three training sessions a day.

Here is a list of the most recent injuries in preseason!

*Youngster (only 15) Iker Guarrotxena – Injured during running exercises, IE overworked. Poor kid! The prognosis is favorable.
*Pablo Orbaiz – recuperating after ankle surgery. He recently did a lot of press, being very positive about his recovery. Slowly but surely, Pablo. There will be more tests upon his return to Bilbao. We need our defensive midfielder back and fast.
*Koikili – Right ankle strain. He is undergoing physiotherapy. Ouch, this is going to hurt. Our Left Back position is probably our most vulnerable. Get well soon Koi!
*Ion Velez with muscle spasms. He skipped training, but nothing major. Phew!

ONES TO WATCH

Two youngsters have really impressed in training so far: Iturraspe and Agueros. Iturraspe is only 19 years old and a “crack”. He has really impressed Caparros and company with his maturity in midfield and is definitely one for the future. Agueros has also been impressive. He is only 18 years old and could be a potential solution or backup for our Left Back dilemna. Do we have one of the best canteras and scouting program around? You bet!

YESTE IS SO STRONG! LOL

THE FIXTURE LIST IS OUT!

Our first rival/victim is Almeria at home on 8/31 – awesome fixture. Our last game will be at the Mestalla vs Valencia. Hmmm. Athletic Fixture List