San Mamés ovation for Simón, Laporte and Williams as whistles fade | OneFootball

San Mamés rose to salute world champions Unai Simón, Aymeric Laporte and Nico Williams as Athletic Bilbao staged a pre-match tribute alongside Spain coach Luis de la Fuente before facing Sevilla.

According to El Correo, the evening’s formalities opened with recognition for Elene Gurtubay and Ziara Vega after their European Under-19 title with Spain in July in Bosnia under former Athletic coach David Aznar. The pair stepped to the centre circle with their medals and drew warm applause.

Next, the three seniors entered carrying the World Cup they won in the United States, with Laporte holding the trophy as most of the stadium stood. A near-full house delivered a thunderous ovation, though whistles came from the Herri Harmaila end.

Around the tribute, the singing section chanted that anyone not jumping was Spanish, then closed by voicing support for Euskal Herria.

De la Fuente watched the ceremony from the directors’ box, as he had done the previous day at Atlético Madrid’s stadium. Before kick-off he said he felt emotional to be back at his club and home, calling it a special day and a privilege that Athletic players had become world champions.

Source: El Correo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”