eufa league

[HowardKennitby]

All-Spanish final as was expected. I thought Valencia would do better than they did. Bilbao are are looking like a seriously good team at the moment.

[Sipowicz]

Howard, it's Uefa Europa league.
How come ones Athletic and the other's Atletico?

[nungate]

Althletic are Basques from Northern Spain they have their own language, and you can't play for the team unless you have been born in the region.
Didn't see the Valencia score, can you tell me what it was? If they lost the fans will blame Unai Emery, he's not popular in Valencia which is a shame as he is an excellent manager, Almeria haven't been the same side since he left them for Valencia.

[nungate]

Sorry, should have said that the have their own language ans is probably why they are Althletic as opposed to the "Spanish" side Athletico

[Sipowicz]

Athletic Bilbao 3-1 Sporting
Valencia 0-1 Atletico Madrid.

[nungate]

Thanks Sipowicz. I hope you understood my answer about the Athletic/Athletico thing, it's just my own theory

[Sipowicz]

Thanks nungate, sounds plausible!

[Sipowicz]

Just noticed, Happy Anniversary!

[mightyWBA]

Athletic Club played really well last night,here is an explanation about their name and club colours.
It's interesting stuff :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_Bilbao

[Sipowicz]

Thanks for that MWBA, as you say, some interesting stuff.
I still don't understand why Bilbao still go by the name Athletic, when, according to the article, a decree issued by Franco in 1941 banned clubs from using foreign names. This being when Athletic Madrid became Atletico Madrid!

[mightyWBA]

They changed it back after Franco snuffed it :)

[mightyWBA]

It's like AC Milan which was founded as a football and cricket club in1899 by British expatriates Alfred Edwards and Herbert Kilpin who came from Nottingham. In honour of its British origins, the club has retained the English spelling of the city's name, as opposed to the Italian spelling Milano which it was forced to bear under the fascist regime of Mussolini.

Once these old facist dictators go it's safe to call your club what you want!

[10ClarionSt]

When Bilbao beat United at OT, I said then that they looked like the cup winners. I haven't changed my mind.

[redman41]

Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid on May 9 in Bucharest should be a good Match to watch