Athletic Bilbao has the "San Mames" cathedral, it is special in that even today only Basques can wear the red and white jersey, it has phenomenal fans and "lions", as they call the players of this club...
It also has "La Gabara", a boat that is a symbol of this club's success and that will set sail for the first time in 40 years on Thursday - in honor of Atlético.
The pride of the former industrial, but today one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, on Saturday won one of the two biggest cups of that country for the first time since 1984 - the King's Cup, a competition in which it is a symbol, since it won the 24th time with the triumph over Majorca in the Seville final this trophy.
Exactly in 1984, when Atlético conquered Spain with the double crown, "La Gabara" was the epicenter of the biggest party in Europe, as the players sailed on it together with the cup while they were greeted by thousands of fans on both sides of the Ibaizabal river.
It was the year of the unforgettable Copa del Rey final, when you didn't know who was hitting whom on the pitch of the Santiago Bernabeu, when Diego Maradona knocked out Miguel Angel Sola, and Atlético eventually defeated Barcelona.
At that time, no one could have even imagined that four full decades would pass before Atlético's new triumph in the Cup, where at that moment they were by far the most trophy-winning team.
However, it was as if the next 1985 was the announcement of the unfortunate finals for the club from "San Mames" - Atletik was defeated in the finals then, and five more times in recent history - in 2009, 2012, 2015, 2020 and 2021.
So much had to happen, even another drama in the final at "Cartuha" with Majorca (the Basques celebrated after the penalty-roulette) and the return of the great Ernesto Valverde, so that all the cubes are arranged.
"We have lost five finals in this century, so since we have not won anything, then my boys have nothing to lose in this final," Valverde tried to calm down the euphoria before the match with Mallorca.
Apart from football, this expert, who coached Barcelona at a time when it was perhaps the most difficult job in the world, loves photography, he even had his own exhibitions, and it was through them that he described the passion of Athletic Bilbao fans.
"I could be in any of the photos together with these fans, because I identify with them. They live for the club, their passion for football and Athletics is incredible - I really see my reflection in them," Valverde was picturesque at one time for "La Opinion".
40 years ago Andoni Zubizareta, his namesake nicknamed "the butcher of Bilbao" Gojkocea, then Ismael Uturbi, captain Dani Ruiz Bazan, scorer of the goal in the final Endika Guarocen i Javier Clemente next to the field.
Captain today Iker Muniain, brothers (Niko i Injaki) Williams, Ojhan Sunset, Raul Garcia, Gorka Guruzeta and many others who, together with their teacher Valverde, will go to an unforgettable party and drive through Bilbao on Thursday.
Most clubs around the world celebrate cups on an open bus, Atletik is special because of that - "La Gabara" is ready to celebrate.
Bonus video:
