Arkupe turned into mini Pozas as Athletic fans gather by Anoeta for cup derby | OneFootball

Athletic fans without tickets turned Arkupe, the bar by Anoeta, into their base for the cup derby with Real Sociedad, creating a lively yet largely good natured scene.

According to El Correo, supporters had arranged via social media to meet there, a few metres from the stadium, hoping to hear goals in real time. From six in the evening the area filled with red and white.

By around seven thirty the party was in full swing as the Athletic team bus reached the ground to modest backing from only several dozen onlookers. The stronger send-off had come earlier at the team hotel, while near Anoeta fans set about enjoying a Donostia version of Pozas.

Inside Arkupe, a supporter stood on a friend’s shoulders to announce the starting line-up, each name roared back, ending with a chorus for Iñaki Williams. The match was then followed on the bar’s big screen.

The only flashpoint came as Athletic fans sang the anthem while hundreds of txuri-urdin crossed the square towards the stadium. Whistles and a few obscene gestures followed, but the Bilbao contingent kept singing, this time facing their rivals.

Later chants from the Biscayan crowd included digs about Anoeta being like a table football and calls for San Mamés to bounce.

At kick-off, around 300 ticketless supporters kept urging Athletic from their improvised Pozas in San Sebastián, nerves masked and ears straining for any roar from Anoeta before it reached the television.

Source: El Correo