[Notes] The British captured Bilbao and Saint-Mames witnessed the breaking of the Tottenham

Sports Weekly Special Correspondent Wu Haoyu from Bilbao

The people of Bilbao will always regard their club as pride. Walking on the streets of this city, the red and white Athletic Bilbao main color matching flags can be seen everywhere. When the UEFA Cup finals of this season were held at the San Mames Stadium, the "Lion" Legion originally hoped to reach the final of its home court, but unfortunately, Athletic Bilbao fell in front of Manchester United in the semi-finals, shattering the dreams of local fans. Although British fans failed to realize their dream of playing at home in the Europa League final, the Basque people still showed a warm and hospitable side in front of guests from afar. Two days before the Europa League final, a large number of British people flocked to the city of Bilbao. The red and white flags of Athletic Bilbao, which were everywhere on the streets, became the English St. George flag painted with the two teams of Manchester United and Tottenham.

On the day of the game, the author was traveling with two Manchester United fans in the city center. Their condition was quite similar to that of many other fans who came from the UK. "We drove from Manchester to Paris, and then from Paris to here. We basically didn't sleep for a day and a night." At noon on the day of the game, bars and restaurants in the old town of Bilbao were basically unable to find empty seats. Restaurant waiters who had been used to serving locals and basically could not speak English made it difficult to use their fingers to mark the price to British fans who were wearing jerseys, which was ridiculous.

When Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur fans captured the center of Bilbao, many local fans also came to join in the fun. Many locals flocked to the Tottenham Hotspur fan area in the city. They sang loudly with Tottenham fans. Perhaps their team was eliminated by Manchester United before and still left them worried. It is reported that there are more Tottenham fans coming to Bilbao this time than Manchester United fans, not only because the transportation from London to Bilbao is relatively convenient than Manchester, but also because there are many Korean fans who specialize in supporting Son Heung-min. Tottenham has not won any championship trophy in 17 years, which naturally makes more fans enthusiastic about expedition to Bilbao. On the morning of the final, a unique entertainment competition was held in the fan square in the center of Bilbao. The "Basque Country" composed of retired Basque clubs faced Manchester United legend Nani, Manchester United former goalkeeper Kushchak, four-time UEFA Cup winner Jesus Navas and others. Beniat, Xavi Prito, Carlos Martinez, Iresos, Tocro and other retired celebrities of Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad, which caused shouts from local fans who came to join in the fun. As the pride of Spain, Jesus Navas on the other side also gained the pursuit of local people, while Manchester United fans from afar shouted Nani's name.

Before the Europa League final officially started, Athletic Bilbao legend Aduris personally sent the final trophy to the center of the San Mames Stadium. Under the brief pre-match ceremony, the fans of the two teams automatically separated into red and white colors, waving red and white flags. The Tifo before the stands of Tottenham fans showed the words "Dare", and Manchester United was not inferior. The multiple championship trophys on the banner demonstrated the team's historical glory. Even though the performance this season is not ideal and is nicknamed the "Premier League Two Bears", in the face of the final battle, the fans of Tottenham and Manchester United have at least not at a disadvantage in terms of momentum. In the 2019 Champions League final of Tottenham lost to Liverpool, Tottenham gave his opponent a penalty kick just at the beginning and ultimately missed the championship. The team's lack of experience in the finals was undoubtedly revealed. At the pre-match press conference, a reporter also asked the captain Son Heung-min how to make the scene of conceding a goal at the start of the Champions League final six years ago a lesson for the team at the moment. "The first step is always the most difficult, but we have the opportunity to change our mindset and change history." Son Heung-min said.

A detail before this game is quite intriguing. When the whole Manchester United team lined up early and waited for the kickoff, Tottenham's starting eleven people were still in front of the Tottenham fans who were in the half. They hugged their fans in front of their fans and gave each other the final motivation before the game. After the opening, Tottenham did not repeat the mistakes of the Champions League final six years ago. They did not lose the upper hand in the momentum at the beginning, pressing Manchester United on all three lines. When the danger arose, all Tottenham players could resolve it as soon as possible.

Manchester United played the right side led by Amad in the opening stage, and Tottenham also guarded the left side with heavy troops. Richard Song retreated deeply and did not give Manchester United too good opportunities. Instead, Tottenham captured a mistake in Manchester United's first record and Brennan Johnson sent the ball into Manchester United's goal, and neither Luke Shaw, the main defender, nor goalkeeper Onana, saved the dangerous situation.

Faced with a goal behind in the second half, Manchester United launched an attack towards the Tottenham fans' stands, but they were all supported by the voices of the fans behind Tottenham fans to resolve the next time and time again. Amorin dispatched troops one after another, and Garnacho and Zilkzepi joined the battle, but they still couldn't beat Tottenham's united defense. As the game time gradually faded, Tottenham's stands began to become noisy. They were infinitely close to witnessing their team's first championship in 17 years. The moment Vicario blocked Manchester United's shot, the air in the San Mames Stadium almost frozen, and the tension at the scene reached its highest point.

Manchester United did not want to give up easily. At the last moment, Onana rushed into the Tottenham penalty area to participate in the attack. The Tottenham stand behind him was so nervous that it was almost suffocating, but after the ball rebounded several times, it finally deviated from the Tottenham goal. The Tottenham fans behind the goal breathed a sigh of relief.. As the final whistle sounded, all Tottenham Hotspur players rushed into the field to celebrate the moment of breaking the curse, and the Manchester United fans on the other side of the stand were almost empty in an instant. Saint-Mames became a complete white ocean. Tottenham fans and the generals on the field fully celebrated their first championship trophy in 17 years.

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min was undoubtedly the person who was most excited that night. 10 years of persistence have brought joy to this moment. After Kane left the team to win the championship, Son Heung-min, who was sticking to Tottenham, also waited for him to realize his dream. As Son Heung-min as the captain lifted the Europa League high above his head, the melody of "We Are the Champions" that is unfamiliar to Tottenham fans and is so familiar to them.

2025 is unusual for British football. Newcastle United ended its championship drought for more than 70 years, Crystal Palace won the first championship in team history, and Tottenham broke the curse of not having a championship in 17 years. At the moment of Tottenham winning the championship, the famous song "Paradise" by Cool Play Band sounded at the St. Mames Stadium, just like every Tottenham fan's current mood: ending the heavy and sad championship period for many years, when they saw the sun rise, the dream paradise finally shone into reality.