The Basque derby through the eyes of past masters | OneFootball

The Basque derby is renewed each year yet anchored in rich history. Veteran broadcasters Sara Estévez and Txema Oliden look back on Real Sociedad and Athletic’s rivalry and ahead to tonight in Anoeta.

Sara Estévez, from Bilbao and now 100, pioneered Spanish sports reporting. "Mid-century derbies were very important," she said. "For Athletic to win them they had to apply themselves fully, La Real forced them to risk everything."

The comments were made on Radio Bilbao. She described the rivalry as immense, at times hateful, with politics often intruding. She hailed Piru Gainza’s Athletic and the 1958 11 villagers Cup win over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, saying, "That final is unforgettable and I think unequalled."

Looking to tonight, she is not entirely optimistic about Athletic mounting a comeback at Anoeta. "In a way yes, but I am somewhat disappointed with Athletic. I do not think the team then can be compared with the one now."

Donostia-born Oliden, 65, became a leading radio voice on La Real at Radio Cadena Gipuzkoa, Radio Nacional and Radio Euskadi. He retired last season after more than 30 years.

"Obviously the title-winning Real were a great side, but I saw them through adolescent eyes and have probably sweetened that past. As an adult covering the club, one moment stands out, the first under Denoueix, that runners-up season which was outrageous." "Roberto López Ufarte was, for me, a genius."

Source: AS