As the city of Bilbao buzzes with the recent Copa del Rey triumph, Athletic Club marks a momentous 40-year anniversary of their last major double win.
A Legacy Cemented in Glory
Wrapped in the echoes of victory, April 29, 1984, stands as a historic summit in Athletic Club's storied journey. The lions roared to their height under the helm of visionary coach Javier Clemente, clinching their eighth league title. The season's crescendo witnessed an epic battle against Real Sociedad, where Liceranzu's two crucial goals overshadowed Uralde's lone strike for La Real. Athletic's supremacy was undisputed, but the pinnacle was yet to come.
The Dramatic Copa del Rey Finale
Emotions ran high as, six days post-league triumph, Athletic faced a powerhouse Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. Amidst the infamous post-match incidents involving Maradona, it was Endika's goal that etched itself in Athletic folklore, signaling the end of an era but immortalizing a golden chapter. That victory not only celebrated their @k^th Copa del Rey but inadvertently handed them the Supercopa, courtesy of the rule that awarded it to a team clinching both the league and cup—no match necessary.
Adapting to a Shifting Landscape
Life after glory saw Athletic navigate through turbulent waters. In 1985, the Copa del Rey final brought heartbreak against Atlético Madrid, and it took nearly five decades to rekindle the magic of the final stage. The Bosman ruling later introduced challenges for the Basque-only policy, but the spirit of Lezama shone through the likes of Julen Guerrero. The century year of 1998 was a high point, celebrating a runner-up finish in La Liga and a cherished Champions League spot. Under Valverde, the club revisited Europe's elite stage in 2014, and this season holds the promise of Europa League action with glimmers of a Copa del Rey encore.
Editor: Yana Davydiuk
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