Pogacar undergoes ‘successful’ wrist surgery after crash
April 24, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Two-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar said he was lucky to escape from his weekend crash with only a broken left wrist, an injury that should not derail his Tour preparations.
Nurse faces legal action for ‘faking’ Spanish kids’ vaccines
March 2, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Forty-two families in Spain are pursuing legal action against a nurse whom they allege faked the process of administering routine vaccines to their children, their lawyer said Thursday.
Osasuna beats Athletic 1-0 in 1st leg of Copa semifinals
March 1, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — Osasuna showed its strength against one of the Copa del Rey powerhouses on Wednesday, defeating Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at home in the first leg of the semifinals.
Ez Abde scored the winner in the 47th minute with a low left-footed shot from inside the area after a breakaway.
Girona beats Bilbao 2-1 to escape relegation zone in Spain
November 4, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Girona escaped the Spanish league’s relegation zone after beating Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at home on Friday.
The Catalan club ended a seven-game winless run and jumped all the way from 17th to 12th place in the tightly packed bottom half of the table.
MATCHDAY: Bilbao visits Girona; Mama Baldé leads Troyes
November 3, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Friday:
SPAIN
Athletic Bilbao visits Girona seeking to end a three-game winless streak on the road in the Spanish league. Ernesto Valverde’s team beat Villarreal last round at home to sit in sixth place.
Bilbao start for 2023 Tour de France, race to test climbers
October 27, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — Starting in the Basque Country in northern Spain, next year’s Tour de France will feature four mountain-top finishes and a Tour record 30 difficult climbs but only one time trial.
Race director Christian Prudhomme revealed the route for the July 1-23 race on Thursday.
MATCHDAY: Arsenal looks to extend EPL lead; Barca’s rotating
October 22, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:
ENGLAND
Premier League leader Arsenal looks to extend its lead with a win at Southampton. The team managed by Mikel Arteta has won nine of its 10 games this season to top the table and will be expected to add to that impressive record at struggling Saints.
Valverde returns to Barcelona in charge of Bilbao
October 21, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Ernesto Valverde, the last coach to lead Barcelona to a Spanish league title, will make his first return to Camp Nou on Sunday in charge of Athletic Bilbao.
Valverde was fired by Barcelona in January 2020 despite having won two consecutive league titles and with the team top of the standings.
Griezmann lifts Atlético to 3rd after win at Bilbao
October 16, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Finally free to play as many minutes as his coach wants, Antoine Griezmann scored to help Atlético Madrid win at Athletic Bilbao 1-0 and move ahead of the Basque club into third place in the Spanish league on Saturday.
Sevilla held 1-1 by Bilbao in Sampaoli’s return; Madrid wins
October 8, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Dressed in dark jeans and a black T-shirt that couldn't contain his muscular, tattooed arms, Jorge Sampaoli feverishly paced the sideline at Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium as if he wanted to play.
Sampaoli faces tough return to Sevilla against Bilbao
October 7, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — With two days to get to know his players, Jorge Sampaoli will see how much work is needed to get Sevilla back to being a force in Spain when it plays a red-hot Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Sampaoli returns to coach Sevilla after Lopetegui firing
October 6, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Jorge Sampaoli is set to begin his second stint as Sevilla’s coach after the Spanish club announced his hiring on Thursday.
Sevilla said the 62-year-old Argentine agreed to a contract for the remainder of this season plus one more.
Williams brothers lead Bilbao into 3rd place in Spain
September 30, 2022 GMTBILBAO, Spain (AP) — Brothers Nico and Iñaki Williams assisted one another for goals in Athletic Bilbao’s 4-0 home win over Almería that pulled the Basque Country side level with Barcelona in the Spanish league on Friday.
MATCHDAY: Bayern has chance to answer critics after slump
September 29, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Friday:
GERMANY
Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are both in crisis before their high-stakes game in Munich restarts the Bundesliga after the international break.
Riding bike, Luis Enrique delivers squad for Nations League
September 16, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain coach Luis Enrique delivered more than one surprise when he announced his second-to-last squad before the World Cup while pedaling back-country roads around the hills of Madrid on Friday.
Athletic Bilbao signs Herrera from PSG on 1-year loan deal
August 27, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Athletic Bilbao signed Ander Herrera from Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday on a loan until the end of the season.
Athletic will have the option to buy the Spanish midfielder for the 2023-24 season.
Evenepoel takes Vuelta’s red jersey as Roglic moves closer
August 25, 2022 GMTBILBAO, Spain (AP) — Remco Evenepoel took the leader’s red jersey on a wet and cold day at the Spanish Vuelta on Thursday, while Jay Vine overcame a flat tire to win the sixth stage and defending champion Primoz Roglic moved closer to the top.
Marc Soler gives Spain 1st Grand Tour stage win in 2 years
August 24, 2022 GMTBILBAO, Spain (AP) — With the finish line in sight, Marc Soler looked back over his shoulder and realized his challengers wouldn’t catch him.
He threw his hand to his helmet in apparent disbelief, then started celebrating a big win for him and his country.
World Cup Watch: Iñaki Williams gets his chance with Ghana
August 23, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Iñaki Williams is enjoying yet another season as a starter for Athletic Bilbao.
The only debate about his role in Basque Country is whether he should play more up front as a true striker or out on the wing.
Atlético Madrid leads the list of title challengers in Spain
August 2, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — After a disappointing season that followed its first Spanish league title in nearly a decade, Atlético Madrid leads the list of challengers to traditional powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Banco Bilbao: Q2 Earnings Snapshot
July 29, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) _ Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) on Friday reported second-quarter net income of $1.78 billion.
The bank, based in Madrid, said it had earnings of 27 cents per share.
Valverde officially confirmed as Athletic Bilbao’s coach
June 30, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Ernesto Valverde is officially back as Athletic Bilbao's coach.
The Spanish club made the announcement on Thursday, five days after new president Jon Uriarte was elected and pledged to bring Valverde back for his third stint as coach.
Valverde set for coaching return after Bilbao club election
June 24, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Ernesto Valverde appears set to return to coaching at Athletic Bilbao after a candidate who pledged to sign him won the election for the presidency of the Spanish club on Friday.
Jon Uriarte won a four-year term after he beat two other candidates with 46% of the 22,000 votes cast by members.
15,000 fans watch Argentina train in Spain for Finalissima
May 28, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Lionel Messi’s Argentina trained in front of 15,000 fans at the stadium of Athletic Bilbao in northern Spain on Saturday as it prepares to play Italy in London in a clash of the South American and European champions.
Late goal gives Sevilla final Champions League spot in Spain
May 15, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Sevilla needed a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Atlético Madrid to clinch the final Champions League spot in the Spanish league on Sunday.
Barcelona secured second place, and a spot in the lucrative Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, after a 0-0 draw at Getafe, which escaped relegation.
Sevilla held by Cádiz at home in Spanish league
April 29, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Sevilla was in danger of losing ground in the fight for second place in the Spanish league after being held at home by relegation-threatened Cádiz to 1-1 on Friday.
The draw moved Sevilla a point ahead of Barcelona, which can regain second place when it hosts Mallorca on Sunday.
Banco Bilbao: Q1 Earnings Snapshot
April 29, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) _ Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) on Friday reported first-quarter profit of $1.85 billion.
The bank, based in Madrid, said it had earnings of 27 cents per share.
The bank posted revenue of $6.71 billion in the period.
Unal scores again as 10-man Getafe draws at Bilbao 1-1
March 18, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Striker Enes Unal scored his 14th goal in the Spanish league to help 10-man Getafe draw at Athletic Bilbao 1-1 on Friday.
Only Real Madrid's Karim Benzema with 22 has more league goals this season.
MATCHDAY: Wolves faces Leeds; Getafe at Bilbao
March 17, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Friday:
ENGLAND
Wolverhampton wants to boost its improbable ambitions of Champions League qualification. Leeds is desperate to move further clear of relegation trouble.
Athletic rebounds in Spanish league by beating Levante 3-1
March 7, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Athletic Bilbao rebounded from a poor streak with a 3-1 win over last-placed Levante in the Spanish league on Monday.
Mikel Vesga, Iñaki Williams and Oier Zarraga scored in the final half-hour to give Athletic the home win and move the Basque Country club closer to the European places.
Valencia ends Athletic’s run, returns to Copa del Rey final
March 2, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Valencia prevented Athletic Bilbao from reaching its third straight Copa del Rey final with a 1-0 win in the second leg of the semifinals on Wednesday.
Gonçalo Guedes scored in the first half as Valencia advanced 2-1 on aggregate to reach its second Copa final in four seasons after winning its eighth title in 2019.
MATCHDAY: Liverpool, Chelsea in FA Cup; Juventus in action
March 1, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Wednesday:
ENGLAND
After winning the League Cup on Sunday, Liverpool resumes its bid to capture the FA Cup for an eighth time and stay on course for an unlikely quadruple of trophies.
Valencia waits on Gayà for Copa semifinal against Athletic
March 1, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Valencia may get a much-needed boost for its struggling defense with the return of Spain international José Luis Gayà in the Copa del Rey semifinal against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.
Late own-goal ends Athletic Bilbao’s unbeaten run in Spain
February 14, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — An unfortunate own-goal by goalkeeper Unai Simón ended Athletic Bilbao's unbeaten run as the club fell to a 3-2 loss to Mallorca in the Spanish league on Monday.
Athletic rallied from two goals down in the second half but conceded in the 88th minute when Takefusa Kubo's shot from close range hit the post and bounced off Simón's head before going back into the net.
MATCHDAY: Athletic tries to stay near CL spots in Spain
February 13, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Monday:
SPAIN
Athletic Bilbao tries to move closer to the European qualification places in the Spanish league when it visits relegation-threatened Mallorca.
Athletic beats Espanyol 2-1 to move closer to European spots
February 7, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Athletic Bilbao moved closer to the European qualification places in the Spanish league after beating Espanyol 2-1 on Monday.
Oihan Sancet and Iñigo Martínez scored in the first half to lead Athletic to the home victory that left it one point behind seventh-placed Real Sociedad.
Athletic faces Valencia in Copa after slaying Madrid, Barça
February 4, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Athletic Bilbao is again showing Spain why it claims to be the “king” of the Copa del Rey.
Athletic advanced to the semifinals of the "King's Cup” on Thursday after eliminating Real Madrid 1-0.
Athletic finally beats Madrid, returns to Copa semifinals
February 3, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — It took a goal near the end for Athletic Bilbao to finally get the better of Real Madrid and reach the Copa del Rey semifinals for the third straight season.
Álex Berenguer scored in the 89th minute to give Athletic a 1-0 victory in the quarterfinal at San Mamés Stadium on Thursday, ending a three-match losing streak for the Basque Country team against Madrid.
MATCHDAY: Madrid visits Athletic in Copa quarterfinals
February 2, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Thursday:
SPAIN
Real Madrid tries to return to the Copa del Rey semifinals when it visits Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés Stadium. Madrid hasn't made it to the last four since the 2018-19 season, when it was eliminated by Barcelona.
Madrid waits on Benzema and Vinícius for Copa quarterfinals
February 1, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Real Madrid will have to wait until the last minute to know if Vinícius Júnior and Karim Benzema will be in condition to play in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
Madrid to face Athletic Bilbao in Copa del Rey quarterfinals
January 21, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Real Madrid and host Athletic Bilbao will face each other for the fourth time in two months when they meet in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals.
Also in Friday's draw for the single-game round, Valencia hosts Cádiz, Real Betis plays at Real Sociedad and host Rayo Vallecano is paired with Mallorca.
MATCHDAY: Arsenal-Liverpool in cup; Barça, Madrid in action
January 20, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Thursday:
ENGLAND
Arsenal hosts Liverpool in the second leg of the League Cup semifinals with the teams locked at 0-0 after last week's first leg at Anfield.
Real Madrid tops Athletic 2-0 to win Spanish Super Cup
January 16, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — Real Madrid won't be going a second consecutive season without a title.
After failing to lift a trophy under Zinedine Zidane last season, Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid secured the Spanish Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
Spanish FA draws criticism for Super Cup in Saudi Arabia
January 14, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Facing criticism from human rights groups, the president of Spain’s soccer federation defended the return of the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia as Real Madrid prepared to play Athletic Bilbao in Sunday's final.
Young Williams leads Athletic to another Super Cup final
January 13, 2022 GMTRIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — After scoring the most important goal of his young career, Nico Williams received a long hug from veteran forward Iñaki Williams, his older brother.
In the stands at the King Fahd Stadium in Saudi Arabia, his relatives also embraced each other, unable to hold back tears.
MATCHDAY: Juventus hosts Napoli; Atlético plays in Copa
January 5, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Thursday:
ITALY
The Italian league resumes after a two-week winter break with Juventus hosting Napoli in the marquee match amid a full slate of games.
Sevilla beats Cádiz 1-0 to reduce Real Madrid’s Liga lead
January 3, 2022 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Sevilla cut into Real Madrid’s lead of the Spanish league after winning at Cádiz 1-0 on Monday, while Oihan Sancet scored a hat trick for Athletic Bilbao.
Lucas Ocampos’ second-half goal helped pull Sevilla to within five points of the front-runner.
Benzema brace as Madrid beats Bilbao 2-1 in virus-hit game
December 22, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Karim Benzema struck two quick goals to lead Real Madrid to a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in a Spanish league game missing several players because of coronavirus infections.
MATCHDAY: League Cup QFs in England; Real Madrid at Bilbao
December 21, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Wednesday:
ENGLAND
West Ham plays Tottenham for a place in the semifinals of the League Cup after knocking out holder Manchester City. West Ham has slipped in the Premier League recently by losing half of its last six games.
Real Madrid outbreak grows after Alaba, Isco test positive
December 21, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Real Madrid has added David Alaba and Isco Alarcón to its list of players with COVID-19, taking it to eight members of its first team.
Madrid added the defender and midfielder on Tuesday to the list that already included Luka Modric, Marco Asensio, Rodgyro, Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
Sevilla wins at Bilbao 1-0 to pressure Madrid before derby
December 11, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — A long-range strike by Thomas Delaney and Athletic Bilbao's chronic troubles finishing its scoring chances helped Sevilla earn a 1-0 win at San Mamés Stadium on Saturday to close the gap with Spanish league leader Real Madrid.
Spanish clubs ratify investment plan, without Madrid, Barca
December 10, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — A large majority of Spain's top soccer clubs, with the notable exceptions of Real Madrid and Barcelona, have ratified an investment plan with a private equity firm, the league said Friday.
Getafe extends Athletic’s winless streak in Spanish league
December 6, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Athletic Bilbao's run without a win in the Spanish league reached seven consecutive matches after drawing at relegation-threatened Getafe 0-0 on Monday.
It was the fifth draw for Athletic during its winless streak, leaving the Basque Country club in ninth place after 16 matches.
Madrid, Barcelona present alternative league investment plan
December 3, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Real Madrid, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao have presented an alternative scheme to the Spanish league’s own future investment plan, the three clubs said Friday.
The clubs refused in August to participate the league’s proposed investment scheme with private equity firm CVC, which the league said would inject 2.7 billion euros ($3.2 billion) into Spanish soccer.
Back in Spain, Ancelotti has Madrid back on the title track
December 2, 2021 GMTBARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Relying on Karim Benzema's feet and Thibaut Courtois' hands, Real Madrid is back on course to winning titles in its second stint under veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday increased its lead of the Spanish league to seven points over defending champion Atlético Madrid and surprise chaser Real Sociedad.
Madrid beats Athletic Bilbao, increases Spanish league lead
December 1, 2021 GMTMADRID (AP) — Shortly after Karim Benzema scored again for Real Madrid, the “Ballon d’Or” chants began echoing from the Santiago Bernabéu crowd.
Madrid fans made it clear who they felt deserved the player of the year award that was won by Lionel Messi on Monday.
Muniain helps Bilbao salvage 2-2 home draw with Granada
November 26, 2021 GMTBILBAO, Spain (AP) — Iker Muniain set up one goal and helped force the equalizer that gave Athletic Bilbao a 2-2 home draw with Granada in the Spanish league on Friday.
The attacking midfielder passed for forward Raúl García to score the 10th-minute opener.
MATCHDAY: Granada visits Bilbao; Lens hosts Angers
November 25, 2021 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Friday:
SPAIN
Granada visits Athletic Bilbao needing a win to ensure it doesn’t fall into the Spanish league’s relegation zone. Granada coach Robert Moreno will miss the match serving the first of a two-game suspension after he was sent off for protesting during a loss to Real Madrid last round.
Simón’s save denies Levante win in 0-0 draw with Bilbao
November 19, 2021 GMTVALENCIA, Spain (AP) — A great save by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón helped Athletic Bilbao draw 0-0 at Levante on Friday and keep the hosts winless this season in the Spanish league.
Simón dove and used his left arm to parry a powerful strike by Jorge de Frutos, sending the ball past the post to deny Levante its best scoring chance in the 77th minute.
Cádiz wins 1-0 at Bilbao to escape Spanish league drop zone
November 5, 2021 GMTBILBAO, Spain (AP) — Cádiz won 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao to move out of the Spanish league’s relegation zone on Friday.
Salvi Sánchez scored the winner in the sixth minute from a tight angle following a pass by Anthony Lozano at San Mamés Stadium.