The Basque derby - a history of Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad’s rivalry
The Basque Derby is around the corner, and man, are we buzzing about it. It's not the kind of match that gets the spotlight down here in Australia, but don't let that fool you. This clash is huge – it's one of the blockbusters in Spain, and let us tell you why it’s one of our absolute favourites.
Firstly, let's look at the origins of the Euskal Derbia. The first game between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao was back in 1909. It has been an attractive game to fans all over Spain ever since; let alone in the Basque Country where both clubs reside.
The game pits together the two biggest clubs in the Basque Country. An inter-city rivalry between Donostia-San Sebastián and Bilbao. Both clubs have won several trophies in their history, most notably in the 1980s with four national titles in a row between them. Real Sociedad winning two in a row, followed up immediately by Athletic Club with two of their own. Athletic Club have more trophies out of the two overall, but the fact these two clubs have been so successful is incredible.
Athletic Club have an unwritten policy of only fielding players who were born in the Basque Country or who learned their football skills at a Basque club. You'll never see the club splashing money on foreigners or players from different regions of Spain. It's almost unbelievable to conceive the idea. In a world where money talks and survival is paramount, it's remarkable to see the club stick to this rule. For most clubs this restrictive working structure would be deemed impossible. For Athletic Club; pride. Amazingly, the club remains one of only three founding members of the Primera Division who have never gone down. No prizes for guessing the other two - Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Real Sociedad had a similar policy up until 1989 when they signed Liverpool legend John Aldridge. The club felt they had to change given they were competing with Athletic over such a small crop of talent. It hasn't necessarily led to more success, but if you look at the current league table you can see they're getting things right. From an Australian point of view too, we wouldn't be watching Maty Ryan in goals had they not changed their policy back then. The impressive thing to note is a huge portion of La Real's (Real Sociedad's) current squad is still from the region.
The way both clubs go about it means youth development is everything. It also means that when you find a good one, you do your darnedest to keep them. A prime example of this is Iñaki Williams who plays up front for Los Leones (The Lions). Williams signed a nine-year contract extension with Athletic back in August 2019. A contract which includes a release clause set at €135 million. This is to keep the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, clubs who have tracked Williams for some time, at bay.
The investment in Iñaki Williams has been worth it too. On October 1 this year he set a new league record with his 203rd consecutive Liga appearance against Alavez. This broke the previous record held by Juan Antonio Larrañaga of Real Sociedad between 1986 and 1992.
With some massive names linked to him over time, you might be wondering; why does he stay? The answer can be found in the concept of the cuadrilla - meaning a group of friends in Basque culture who are unbreakable. Friendships that last a lifetime through thick and thin. It means more to stay and help his team that everyone he knows either supports or fights against. Not someone else's team in a different world.
Games between these two are always hotly contested. The passion and noise the fans create inside San Mamés and the Reale Arena is intense. While there doesn't tend to be violent clashes between the two sets of fans - winning is still everything. The sense of community in the Basque Country means that fighting is rare, which is something we can all learn from around the world. This is a rivalry that shows respect.
This respect was highlighted back in 1976 with an iconic moment in Spanish football. Rival captains Inaxio Kortabarría and José Ángel Iribar held the illegal Basque flag together on show before the derby as a show of unity. It was also evident as recently as the 2020 Copa Del Rey final, played in April of this year. This delay was not only due to the pandemic, but more-so the two clubs refusal to play without their fans in the stadium.
It was dubbed the most important derby ever and the most significant moment in Basque football history. The first time the two clubs had met in a cup final. So important that the clubs’ places in the 20/22 UEFA Europa League group stage were forfeited. It also meant that some of the current players would no longer be there. That didn't matter though. Waiting as long as they both could to get their fans back in the stands was what mattered the most.
Sadly, the waiting was in vain. The game was played behind closed doors in Seville, the south of Spain. A stadium as far away as possible from the Basque Country, and the furthest thing anyone associated with both clubs hoped for with no fans allowed to go.
This was meant to be an epic celebration in the stands, instead it was a tight affair infront of no-one. A game in which Real Sociedad ended their 34-year wait for the Copa del Rey after Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty won the game 1-0. Of the 22 starters, 18 were born in the Basque Country.
Bilbao fans got even more bad news just two weeks after in the 2021 Copa de Rey final which was played on time. Barcelona beat them 4-0 which means the clubs 37-year wait to win the competition continues.
The only solace for Atheltic Club fans may be that at least La Real's two week reign as champions is, and probably will be forever, the shortest reign in history.
- Tags: Highlights
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