Athletic Offside on Twitter
By: Paul |
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So, I sold my soul and created a Twitter account for this blog. On there, I’ll be posting links to my blog posts as they’re written, links to other Athletic news (I will try to post as much of it as I can in English, as I know how difficult it can be for English-speaking fans to follow the team), and some random thoughts about Athletic and the sport in general. I also think it may be a good way for readers/Athletic fans to share their thoughts with me.
If you are interested in my personal life, I do have a personal Twitter account. But, if you’re interested in my personal life, you might be a bit weird.
Anyway, add the Athletic Bilbao Offside on Twitter!
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team News
Caption This! #13 (With Last Week’s Winner)
By: Paul | 2 Comments
Here we go…
Category: Caption This!An Open Letter to Opposition Fans (esp. Other Offside Writers)
By: Paul | 14 Comments
Dear fans of other teams and especially Offside writers for Athletic’s opponents,
NEVER refer to Athletic Club Bilbao as “Bilbao”. You may have noticed me coming in commenting on posts by recent opponents saying this, but I decided to write this so everybody is aware that the team’s name is not Bilbao.
So what should we call them? Acceptable “official” names are Athletic Club Bilbao (the only time it’s 100% acceptable to use “Bilbao” when referring to the team), Athletic Club, Athletic, or, and please use this sparingly, Athletic Bilbao. Unofficial nicknames that can be used are Los Rojiblancos, Los Leones, or Zurigorri. NEVER call them “Bilbao”.
So, you may ask “what’s the problem with that name?” Well, for starters, I’m not even 100% sure that Bilbao is even in the official team name, I believe it’s only on the crest- I’m relatively sure that the official name for the team is Athletic Club- no Bilbao involved. Regular reader and commenter Isabel also explained:
I’ve noticed that calling the team just Bilbao (as opposed to Athletic, Athletic Club or Athletic Bilbao) is quite common amongst non-Spanish supporters. But anyway, here’s a long-ass explanation: Although there was at one point in time a club called Bilbao FC, it was started by the English workers who came to the Basque Country. The Basques saw that and thought that new game was pretty cool and decided to start their own club, taking the name “Athletic Club” the Athletic portion being a sort of homage to the British who introduced the game to us. Then, during the era of the Franquismo, the name was forcibly changed to the “more Spanish” Atlético Bilbao. But once that was over, they reverted back to the way it always was.
The main reason why most Athletic supporters dislike the club being called Bilbao is because in the past and even now, a lot of people use that as a taunt and a reminder of the times we were forced to change our name.
Plus, on a really shallow note, I like the sound of Athletic, Athletic Club or Athletic Bilbao more. (I couldn’t have said it better myself, for a reference to what our friend Isabel is talking about check out wikipedia)
That’s about it. NEVER call them “Bilbao”.
Sincerely,
Paul
P.S. Atletico Bilbao, Athletic de Bilbao, and Athletic Club de Bilbao are also unacceptable (there is no Spanish in the team’s name anywhere).
P.S.S. If you’re a Real Madrid fan, call them whatever you want because I hate your team anyway.
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsThe Iker Muniain Show (Werder & Valladolid)
By: Paul | 1 Comment
So, I realize I’m a bit late posting on the last matches that were played, but here’s a post on them.
As I’m sure (or, at least I’m strongly hoping) everybody is aware, Athletic played game two of the Europa League group stage away at Werder Bremen last Thursday. I was able to “watch” the game during my research methods class (which is the most pointless class ever, but I digress) via uefa.com’s live match stream. As such, I can say that I was largely disappointed, minus some bright spots in the second half. Read the rest of this entry »
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsCaption This! #12 (With Last Week’s Winner)
By: Paul | 4 Comments
I will be back later to summarize Athletic’s last game, but I need some more time to fully gather my thoughts. In the meantime, here’s this week’s photo.
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsReality Hits Hard
By: Paul | 4 Comments
Did that game really just happen at San Mames?
Actually, did that game even happen at all?
No, actually, did Athletic really win their first three games???
Anybody got a cigarette?
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsCaption This! #11 (With Last Week’s Winner)
By: Paul | 7 Comments
Another week and only one entry- let’s get it rolling people! Also, thanks to Isabel for suggesting this week’s photo.
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsWhat Goes Up Must Come Down
By: Paul | 5 Comments
Athletic were flying high. Three victories in a row to begin the season, with a chance to make it four in a row for the first time since anybody reading this blog right now was born (if I’m wrong about that, correct me). Yesterday, Athletic had their test against Tenerife. That’s right- after three wins in a row, the game that could make it four was going to be played against Tenerife. Tenerife finished third in the Second Division last year and earned promotion, starting the 09/10 season off with 1 win and 2 losses. This should have been an easy win for Athletic but it wasn’t. Athletic looked like a completely different team- Tenerife kept on probing the back line, they drew more fouls, took more shots, etc. Honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that Athletic were playing against Tenerife I would be surprised that the score was only 1-0. So sure, not all of the regulars were starting but still- Tenerife.
Still, it may be good that the team has been brought down to earth, especially before Saturday’s game which will be played against Sevilla.
We did get to see Athletic’s third kits in action. I like ‘em.
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsAthletic Club Merchandise- Part 2
By: Paul | 1 Comment
I figured this might be worth a post, because I don’t know how many people would see it if posted as a comment to my previous post. I realize this post may be somewhat pointless, but I know first-hand how difficult Athletic gear is to get a hold of so I am spreading the word to anyone I can.
But anyway, it seems that Athletic jerseys are becoming easier to come by (probably thanks to Umbro). For the first time in two years, Athletic jerseys are in stock at Subside Sports.They ship worldwide and prices can be put into British Pounds (default), US Dollars, or Euros. Hopefully there will be more to follow.
If retro shirts are your thing, check out this site or this one.
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team NewsBack From The Dead/3 Wins in a Row (AKA Our Llorente is Better than your Llorente)!
By: Paul | 5 Comments
I’m not your typical college student. I enjoy good beer. In fact, I review beers online and on Saturday, I decided to review a Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale (if you’re into beer, try it- it’s good). After a little while, some friends came over and my roommate and I finished the 12 pack we had and had a couple Coronas our friends brought, so needless to say I was drunk, finishing the night hugging the porcelain before going off to bed. Before all of that though, a disaster happened- I spilled an entire glass of Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale all over my laptop. I remember it happening, but don’t remember the details exactly, but I’m told I turned the computer off, lifted it up, and then poured beer out of my computer. I think you can guess what happened the next day- on top of my hangover, my computer wouldn’t work. Because of that, I missed the game and because I couldn’t get it to work Monday or yesterday either, I wasn’t able to post about the game. Today, though, I turned it on and logged in and now it’s working (although my spacebar key isn’t working on the first try and my Enter and Backspace keys are a bit sticky). So there’s my reasoning for not posting anything until now. So, what exactly happened on Sunday? Read on. Read the rest of this entry »
Category: Athletic Bilbao Team News
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