Bilbao2Brooklyn
24 Jun 2003, 11:45 AM
It was a Up and Down year for Basque clubs.
The final table saw Alaves regulated, after playing so well for a couple of years, Osasuna, avoided regulation and will be in La Liga next year. Athletic Bilbao with a poor first half to the season finshed well, but couldn't hold-off Barcelona for the last UEFA spot. And what could be said of Real Sociedad, they were in it all they way to the end , only to be over taken by Real madrid.They did qualify for the Champions League.
Alaves:
The season is rated an F.
They got regulated, and should have been better. They'll be back soon.
Osasuna:
the season is rated a D
They avoided regulation, but didn't strike any fear in anybody and barely stayed alive.
Athletic Bilbao:
the season is rated a B-
If they would have finished 6th , and made into the UEFA cup, it would be a higher grade. But they didn't so their grade is lowered. Solid second Half and good younger players, looks good for next year.
Real Sociedad
the season is rated a A
They finished 2nd, scared the piss out of some Real Madrid faithful. To even come close to Real Madrid, with all their superstars is amazing. Ateam that played great football and captured the World's heart. a wonderful season.
Themes of the Basque club season:
1)Real were really good, no fluke here.
2)The Gurpegi case was crap, Spanish FA should be embarrassed.
3)Xabi Alonso is Talent.
4)Mane was fired
5)Juup is leaving Bilbao for Germany
6)Nihat and Darko are wonderfully talented players, lets hope Real can hang on to them.
'Till next year,
egur
(Basque for goodbye)
The final table saw Alaves regulated, after playing so well for a couple of years, Osasuna, avoided regulation and will be in La Liga next year. Athletic Bilbao with a poor first half to the season finshed well, but couldn't hold-off Barcelona for the last UEFA spot. And what could be said of Real Sociedad, they were in it all they way to the end , only to be over taken by Real madrid.They did qualify for the Champions League.
Alaves:
The season is rated an F.
They got regulated, and should have been better. They'll be back soon.
Osasuna:
the season is rated a D
They avoided regulation, but didn't strike any fear in anybody and barely stayed alive.
Athletic Bilbao:
the season is rated a B-
If they would have finished 6th , and made into the UEFA cup, it would be a higher grade. But they didn't so their grade is lowered. Solid second Half and good younger players, looks good for next year.
Real Sociedad
the season is rated a A
They finished 2nd, scared the piss out of some Real Madrid faithful. To even come close to Real Madrid, with all their superstars is amazing. Ateam that played great football and captured the World's heart. a wonderful season.
Themes of the Basque club season:
1)Real were really good, no fluke here.
2)The Gurpegi case was crap, Spanish FA should be embarrassed.
3)Xabi Alonso is Talent.
4)Mane was fired
5)Juup is leaving Bilbao for Germany
6)Nihat and Darko are wonderfully talented players, lets hope Real can hang on to them.
'Till next year,
egur
(Basque for goodbye)