Lions prove too strong for brave Miranées

They say all good things must come to an end, and this was the case tonight with goals from Iker Muniain, Markel Susaeta, Jon Aurtenetxe, two from Fernando Llorente and an own goal handing Athletic Bilbao passage to the Copa Del Rey final.

Athletic Bilbao had the advantage of being 2-1 up going into the second leg of their tie. But Mirandés still had hope after scoring a late goal in the first leg.

Bilbao started exceptionally well and took the lead when youngster Iker Muniain broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. Athletic then scored soon after with De Marcos squaring it for Iraola who layed it off Susaeta, who finished off a great team goal. 2-0 Athletic on the night.

Athletic soon had one foot in the final when young left back Aurtenetxe was in the right place at the right time to head in De Marcos's cross. Half time with Athletic 3-0 up.

Mirandés did gain some pride when a scramble in the box after a corner was eventually put in the net by Aitor Blanco. That made it 3-1 on the night. But you could sense there were more Goals in this game.

With twenty minutes to go Athletic did score again this time with in-form striker Fernando Llorente. Whose shot had a deflection on the way in. Llorente then grabbed his second of the night when a cross from the right was put in the net by the big man.

Then the Crowd in San Mamés started chanting "si, si, si, vamos a Madrid!" Mirandés did score again when a Free-kick was saved and crossed back to Aitor Blanco who scored his second of the night.

Athletic scored again albeit an own goal from César. Then the referee blew the whistle for full time. Athletic winning 6-2 on the night. A great achievement for the Basque team on reachin their first final in 3 years.


It finished (8-3) on aggregate. But the third division team should be proud on what they have achieved. Especially when they consider they knocked out the likes of Villarreal, Racing Santader and Espanyol on their way to the semi's .

Athletic themselves will be happy with this performance tonight. They wait for the winner of the other leg which is on tomorrow night at the Nou Camp. Last seasons beaten finalists Barcelona play host to Valencia with the game evenly poised at 1-1 from the first leg.

The final acourse will take place at the end of May either in The Calderón or the Bernabéu, yet to be decided.