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Home , Athletic Bilbao, Mikel Oyarzabal

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MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 Tearful Oyarzabal salutes fans after win Copa del Rey

MADRID: scored the ning in the academies of the club’s they penalty that won Real Sociedad the now represent, including Oyarzabal, who delayed 2020 Copa del Rey on Saturday was born in and joined Real before dedicating their victory to the Sociedad’s ‘Zubieta’ as a teenager. fans unable to attend an historic final The final had been put off as long as against Basque rivals Athletic . possible in the hope fans might be able Oyarzabal, La Real’s captain who to attend, but instead it was staged joined their youth academy aged 14, almost 1,000 kilometers south in , proved the difference in a 1-0 win in where around 350 guests and journalists Seville, where the biggest ever game were allowed in, but the stands were between these two famous clubs was otherwise left empty. played in an empty stadium. “It’s an incredible day,” said a tearful Trouble in Bilbao Oyarzabal afterwards. “You remember Excitement spilled over in Bilbao, everybody, all the people who would where police had attended to distur- have loved to be here, people who have bances earlier in the evening. Large left us. This is for everyone, my family, crowds of Athletic fans gathered near my friends. It means everything.” the team’s San Mames stadium, with Oyarzabal’s strike secures Real some throwing bottles and flares, while Sociedad their first Copa del Rey tri- many ignored rules regarding social dis- umph in 34 years while at the same tancing. “Some madmen causing prob- denying a 24th success for Athletic lems before the final,” wrote Bilbao may- Bilbao, who must now try to recover in or Juan Mari Aburto. “You do not repre- time for a second attempt in two weeks’ sent the values of our Athletic or our time. city. Please, a little sanity and let us enjoy Athletic have also reached the final of ourselves.” this season’s competition, which will be There was little about La Cartuja that played on the same pitch at La Cartuja felt like home for these two teams, on April 17, with Barcelona and Lionel except perhaps the weather, given the Messi their opponents next time around. first 20 minutes was played in torrential “I’m not disappointed, I’m sad,” said rain. Neither side really settled in a fran- coach Marcelino Garcia Toral. “The tic first half, full of rushed passes and SEVILLE: A handout picture released by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) shows Real Sociedad’s players celebrating with the players are gutted but they have to nervy touches, but Real Sociedad were trophy after winning the 2020 Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) final football match between and Real Sociedad at bounce back.” the more dominant in possession, even if La Cartuja stadium in Sevilla on Saturday. — AFP For Real Sociedad, this was a one-off Athletic went closest to scoring. chance and they took it, edging a final Raul Garcia flashed wide early on teams tightened up and two penalty with referee Javier Estrada deciding he was reduced to a yellow. Oyarzabal that was tight, tense and without clear from an acute angle before Inigo decisions in quick succession put was just outside the box. But there was exhaled and struck the penalty sweetly openings, but one in which the better Martinez fired off a shot from distance, Athletic on the back foot. no disputing the second, as Inigo this into the corner. There were eight minutes team lifted the trophy at the finish. with La Real goalkeeper Alex Remiro Inigo was at the center of both, first time prevented from finishing off a added on for injury time but Athletic Eighteen of the 22 players that started doing well to tip the ball over. The sec- blocking an Oyarzabal cross with his superb ball through by , the never looked like finding an equalizer. were Basque, with many of them begin- ond half was more concentrated as both arm, only for VAR to spare the defender, only consolation that his initial red card They will try again in two weeks. — AFP