News
MAR 19.04.2016
The nine fans who have travelled thousands of kilometres from China and South Africa for the #LigaBBVAExperience have been soaking up the buzzing atmosphere in football-mad Bilbao. Champing at the bit ahead of the unforgettable experience on the cards, the fans have been blown away by the passion for the beautiful game in the city, and marvelled at their first sight of San Mames on a day that also featured more than its fair share of good food.
Tuesday kicked off with something that is always eagerly awaited by any fan: the chance to go deep into the bowels of a stadium, in this case San Mames, the home of Athletic Club. Once inside, our group of LaLiga followers got to feel like footballers for a day: they strolled down the same corridors used by the players, went into the dressing rooms and the press room, and walked out on to the pitch. They also had their moment in the managerial hotseat, sitting in the dugout that's usually occupied by Ernesto Valverde.
After their exploits on the turf, it was time to refuel. The Bascook restaurant was the setting, where all concerned delighted in some of the best Basque dishes. After this food stop, the action resumed with a tour on which the fans discovered the city's most iconic monuments.
And yet arguably the highlight of the day was still to come, albeit at night. After all, having dinner with an Athletic supporters' club (peña) is the sort of experience that doesn't come along very often. The Peña Deusto welcomed our fans at Bar Niza Barria, giving them a taste of just what the atmosphere's like in the build-up to a big game.
With all of these ingredients, the group's appetites have been fittingly tantalised ahead of the main course: what promises to be an unforgettable match between Athletic and Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
© LALIGA - 2016