Etxeberria - Class act playing for a fine team

[Tony Towner's Fridge]

He plays for Athletic Bilbao

You can only play for them if you are of Basque birth. I still like regionalism in football.

He is playing this season for absolutely nothing as a thank you to the club for employing him for nearly 15 years.

They play in stripes (alas red) and their stadium is neat and noisy.

His Tapas (or Pinxto as it is known in that area) bar is quite simply fabulous, having quaffed many a fine Rioja there.

Players like him are a ever lessening breed but need to be applauded.

I salute you Joseba Etxeberria which means Joseba 'New House'. Star man.

TNBA

TTF

 

[itszamora]

I don't know enough about them to have an informed opinion, but a well-known historian who specialises in Spain and taught me at University says many of the Basques and their policies are hugely racist but get away with them under the banner of regionalism.

Fair play to Etxebarria, though I guess it's easier to do when you've been spectacularly well paid compared to the general public for the last 15 years.

 

[Was not Was]

And he played last season for nothing as well. Top man.

Regarding Athletic Bilbao, they select from those born within the areas claimed as Basque - so not only the Pais Vasco, but also for example Navarro in France. So the way I understand it, it's not an 'ethnic' policy as such.

It's odd that Athletic aren't better known outside Spain, when you consider how high profile Real and Barca are. Athletic is one of just three clubs never to have been relegated from the top flight in Spain, and you can guess who the other two are.

One last thing - San Mames is a brilliant stadium, the best I've been to. If you get a chance to see a match there, go!

 

[Stumpy Tim]

One of my best mates is from Bilbao and is a big Athletico Bilbao fan... one of his best mates used to play for them. He's no more racist than any other Spaniard - which is still quite racist to be fair

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

Regarding Athletic Bilbao, they select from those born within the areas claimed as Basque - so not only the Pais Vasco, but also for example Navarro in France. So the way I understand it, it's not an 'ethnic' policy as such.

QUOTE]

They also pick players from a region within Cantaberia(sp) even though people of the region don't class themselves as Basque, which I find is quite amusing.

He is a top bloke.

 

[withdeanwombat]

Albion's "regional" team would make interesting reading I suspect.

I'll start with Powney in goal,and then..........errrrr.

 

[les dynam]

el abd is born and bred brightonian. gets loads of stick but he always seems like a nice lad, plus he still lives in the city.

 

[Austrian Gull]

Magnificent gesture by a decent player for club and country.

Always had a soft spot for Bilbao - amazing they manage to survive in modern football. They once signed Bixente Lizarazu as he is from the French Basque Country but since then not a single foreign player.

Success must feel more righteous to them than for an Arsenal fan whose team regularly has not a single English player in it.