Ladies & Gentlemen-Say Goodbye to La Catedral-Estadio San Mamés.-

Whether seated in Mosaikoa San Mamesen or the Tribuna Norte, there is always a faint waft the Basque Txuletón, -a specialist Basque cured meat bought at from local Sagardotegi- touching your nostrils as such is the case with the countless three star Catalan & Basque employed chefs at San Mames' famous Sukaldea within the kitchen. Over there they diligently work from a day before in curing the Txuletón's from the day before, prepare the Basque Chorizo's marinated Ezpeletako biperra and Choricero pulp & on the match days they sautee the stuffed peppers, scallops, shrimp, Portobello mushrooms made in the finest Navaresse olive oil to serve the Pinxto's (Tapas) all around the stadium as the distinct smell of Idiazabal cheese fused with Saffron is only deliberate for the fans to delve into the hospitality of San Mames serving succulent brochettes, Pagoa & oldarki beer to wash down the tastes and Sagardotegi cider to accent the fine cuisines offered in match day. Since the initial inception of La Catedral in 1913, onto Arzuaga's appointment in '22, San Mames strived to offer the utmost hospitality that was a mere celebration of Basque solidarity and union that was a source of solace in such tumultuous times. Gastronomy & fine drafts were a way of bringing together the atmosphere within San Mames, a further stimulant to the immediate family aura one feels when entering the grand stands whether a Los Leone or outsider. That sheer alliance whether old or young, male or female was and still is a trademark of the deafening sounds within San Mames which has caused Astiazarán -unsurprisingly a former Sociedad ultra- to subdue, nullify and filter those raucous sounds for the emanating from all sides of the stadio, for the International english broadcasts.

The sole syntax of the stadium, built with Titanium crafted by Basque hands and the finest materials imported from Germany, Italia Hungary & Luxembourg only a testament to its solid foundation of top class struts engineered by the finest architects of Espana & England of the early 1900s, with only cosmetic changes needed to associate various events.

It has been the concourse of developing the famous Basque futbol and its respective philosophy. It has been the home of the countless legends produced by its gazteria -most who lost recognition through Franco- It has been the home to Eight La Liga titles (4 Premiera for Ladies), 23 Copa del Rey, 1 SuperCopa, (2 if Eva Duarte counted), 1 Club World Cup and countless historic memories spawned by the proximate victories which left Athletic Club only hair-lengths from more titles.

It is what caused Samuel Eto, Johan Cruyff, Puskás, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Cesar, Kubala, & Paco Gento to grasp the Basque ikurriña flag when overcome with pure emotion and show their support for Athletic Bilbao and Basque Country.

Within the month of August this year, we will see the magnificent Nou San Mamés Barria incepted. A stadium product of the Basque efficiency through their autonomous ethic which will host 55,000 fans with a Architectural recourse potential to expand to 75,000. Yet on Sunday May 26th 7:00 PM Spanish Time, we will witness Athletic Club play Levante in what is the final futbol game for Basque outfit in the Lion's Den.

It will be the final time that La Catedral, the oldest stadium in La Liga will hear Los leones de San Mamés-Bilboko lehoiak (Lions of San Mames).

Whether Bilbai or outsider, tears will be shed.

Its always sad when football loses one of its genuine Monuments. I hope the new stadium retains the famous atmosphere.

San Mames was unique . Didn't know it was that old , impressive. I hope their new stadium brings them twice the joy and passion than it's predecessor . Good luck Bilbao

I wonder if this tradition will continue in the new stadium, too:
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=1780865.html

I was fascinated and very touched when I learned of it during the build-up of that match

rwo power wrote:I wonder if this tradition will continue in the new stadium, too:
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=1780865.html

I was fascinated and very touched when I learned of it during the build-up of that match

Damn Had no idea it was going to be taken down.

Still... it stood for a hundred years. That's an amazing achievement. May the new stadium bring as many good memories as San Mamés

Definitely one of Spain's great stadiums. I don't think taking it down was the right decision but a new Stadium can be a step in the right direction for Bilbao.

I'll be watching tomorrow

"El Che"


These pictures just tell half of the story. It was one of the most emotional nights in all of Spanish futbol's history. San Mames was a masterful stroke of construction and its a masterpiece. Yet leaving the San Mames behind didn't feel right. Players didn't want to leave, fans were beyond emotional, Bielsa from the start did not support the move as never such a dark sensation of longing was felt within the Lions Den. Leaving such a historic system due to financial and expansion reasons doesn't suit Athletic. It is the reason I and most Liverpool fans want an Anfield stay despite it being a crumble of mess.

Something didn't feel right.
At the end of the match, no one thought of Barria.

Everyone wanted to stay right where they are.

My god this was emotional. It killed me.

All i'm going to say is that I and most other Juventus fans did not know dat feel when we moved out of the Delle alpi

Inside San Mames Barria.



Outer view where the external décor is not yet finished.

only 3/4th completed as of now, other 1/4th to be finished over the course of next 18 months. Total capacity of 55000.



Random pic of a young Marcelo Bielsa:

Bielsa Young:

@Arqui

So did they decide to go on with the 'Pichichi' tradition? *curious*

rwo power wrote:@Arqui

So did they decide to go on with the 'Pichichi' tradition? *curious*

The first game in the stadium has not commenced, as that will be versus Celta Vigo on Monday.

As for the tradition, it will most definitely continue as all the Pichichi memorabilia and icons have been shifted within San Mames Barria.

All the old traditions of the previous stadium will continue within here too.

That's great to hear! I wonder if it will mean that it will start anew, that is, that every team who first plays in the new stadium will honour it again, even when they already did it in the old stadium.

As I mentioned before, I find this tradition a wonderful touch.