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A connection between Bizkaia and California, the red and white.  The admiration for the values, the defense and pride of the game with players from the homeland.  Fifteen members of the Athletic Peña headquartered in San Francisco attended the game in San Mames on Saturday to watch the game against Barça live.  They continued their journey yesterday that will run through November 3rd with a meal at the Baserri Maitea in Forua, run by Zaldua, exporter of the Bilbao club.  Article by Alberto Garcia in Mundo Deportivo. 

Alberto Garcia/Bilbao, Bizkaia.   Ryan Makiñana (34) is the head of the group that includes 87 members, 75 from the US and a couple from the Basque Country.  Starting point, “My mother is from Durango, and hers was from the Philippines, but my grandfather, Luis Matute was a member of Athletic for three decades.  My mother went to California, San Francisco, and I was born there.  This is an opportunity to connect with my roots, my friends and family talk to me about history, philosophy…My grandfather died when I was only one or two, this is an opportunity to connect,” he recalled.

Ryan has already been in San Mames, but he stressed “it is very special each time that I go.  There is no other field in the world that compared, because it is unique, with a unique following and a romance that can be felt.  My aunt Inmaculada taught Villalibre in Gernika when he was little, and is an “Athleticzale,” she has always said that it is more than a team, it is a feeling.  And I can see what it means to people.”  He also added, “Zaldua is a friend of my mothers, they were neighbors.”

On Saturday they celebrated the first anniversary in the box at San Mames.  “The club invited us, it was like dealing with family with Urrutia’s hospitality.  We are from California, but we feel like we are from Bizkaia.  We are very appreciative, it was a spectacular night,” Ryan said. The downside was the loss, although “being an Athletic fan means that you know that you have to support them in good times and in bad.  The ideals and values that we protect mean more.  The only thing we ask is that they give there all.    We were also able to share with other clubs and so that is also very special.”   

Ryan and his group have planned this trip for some time, because the Peña is also celebrating its first year at its headquarters at the Dubliner West Portal in San Francisco whose owner and member’s last name is Urrutia “but he’s not related to the president….”  This trip also had another goal.  “I got married on the 21^st in San Francisco and my wife came along, so we could have a small reception that couldn’t go,” he said.

This group was formed after traveling to Boise in July of 2015 to attend the friendly game between the Xolos from Tijuana and Athletic.  “I went with my family and I was surprised to see so many fans from Boise, but also from California. John Sager, also went and his grandfather is from Llodio, and so we decided to start the Peña,” he said.

Makiñana works as a journalist and commentates various sports on television and radio, but above all, boxing and American football.  And maybe an Athletic game someday.  “It would be difficult to be impartial but I’d love it,” he said.

The last message came without any question.  “The Internet helps us spread messages, information and to connect…It will also be important for the future of the Euskal Etxeak where potential members are.  The majority of those will be, aren’t Basque but they love what it represents.  There the NBA or baseball is strange, there is no game that only has local players that defends the country.  They love this, the philosophy, the most romantic in the world.  They also like the food in the Basque Country,” he reflected.

 (Published in El Mundo Deportivo)