La Liga Title Decider 1982-83 vs Real Madrid

Lore & Background

From 1941 until 1975, the club was known as Atlético de Bilbao following a decree from the ruling regime. Athletic's first experience of European competition was the non-UEFA Latin Cup in 1955–56, finishing as runners-up to A.C. Milan. In the 1956–57 European Cup, they defeated FC Porto and then Budapest Honvéd, whose players were affected by the Hungarian Revolution. The second leg was played in Brussels, and Athletic progressed 6–5 on aggregate. They then lost to Manchester United's Busby Babes 6–5 on aggregate. Athletic reached the 1977 UEFA Cup final, losing to Juventus on away goals, and the 2012 UEFA Europa League final, losing 3–0 to Atlético Madrid. They also reached the semi-finals of the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League.

Reader's Guide

The club have competed in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League three times, in 1998–99, 2014–15 and 2025–26, without qualifying for the next phase. Striker Aritz Aduriz contributed 34 European goals from 2012 to 2018, winning the Europa League top scorer award twice (one shared). The player with the most appearances, full-back Óscar de Marcos (77 matches), was heavily involved in the 2011–12 and 2024–25 Europa League runs.

Did You Know?

• Athletic's heaviest European defeat was 5–0 to Red Star Belgrade in the 1966–67 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
• The club's shortest away journey in Europe was 257 km to face Girondins Bordeaux.
• A coin toss (choosing the colour of the referee's card) decided Athletic's 1968–69 Fairs Cup tie with Liverpool in their favour.
• Athletic were accompanied to the USSR by 1000 supporters for a goalless draw with Torpedo Moscow in 1973–74.