Two excellent (albeit very different) contests later, here is our team of the week selection based on the Champions and Challenge Cup finals in Bilbao. 15. Gareth Anscombe Cardiff Blues The man of the moment for the Blues, stepping up to land the key penalty with little time left on the clock. Anscombe now has a Challenge Cup to add to his Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs. The most underrated player in Wales? 14. Rob Kearney Leinster Shifted from full-back but he had to make the cut, after gobbling up the many high kicks sent his way by Racing and making more metres with ball in hand than any other player in the Champions Cup final. Kearney's had a spectacular season. 13. Rey Lee-Lo Cardiff... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week Try Premium Access one Premium article per week … [Read more...] about European team of the week: Who impressed in the two cup finals in Bilbao?
Bilbao
Ziganda to leave Athletic Bilbao
Jose Angel Ziganda's departure from Athletic Bilbao at the end of the season has been confirmed by the LaLiga club. News 11 May 2018, 03:20 IST Athletic Bilbao will need a new coach for the 2018-19 season after confirming Jose Angel Ziganda will leave at the conclusion of the campaign.Ziganda, who spent seven years with the club as a player, was appointed last May as the replacement for Ernesto Valverde, who moved to Barcelona and led the Catalan giants to a domestic double this term.But Athletic struggled for consistent form throughout the season and sit 14th in LaLiga with two matches remaining.Ziganda's departure was announced at a news conference on Thursday, with president Josu Urrutia thanking the coach for his efforts."It's a sad moment for me, but as Josu has said, the important thing is the club and I understand the decision," Ziganda told reporters. "We have to put the club ahead of friends and it's a decision that I understand very … [Read more...] about Ziganda to leave Athletic Bilbao
Ziganda to leave Athletic Bilbao at end of season
By Richard Martin BILBAO (Reuters) – Athletic Bilbao coach Jose “Cuco” Zidanda will leave at the end of the season after a disappointing campaign which has left them on course for their lowest La Liga finish in 11 seasons, the club said on Thursday. “This situation causes us pain but the interests of the club are above everything,” club president Josu Urrutia said at a news conference. A former coach of the club’s reserve team Bilbao Athletic, Ziganda was promoted to first-team coach last year when Ernesto Valverde left for Barcelona. Valverde secured European football at Bilbao in each of his four seasons there but Ziganda’s side lie 14th in the standings with two games remaining in the campaign. They have secured survival but unless they overhaul 13th-placed Alaves they will record their lowest finish in the top flight since coming 17th in 2006/07. “I felt strong enough to continue but I understand this decision,” said Ziganda. … [Read more...] about Ziganda to leave Athletic Bilbao at end of season
Talking Rugby: Bilbao finals can be a bold triumph for European rugby’s expansionist vision
Mick Cleary Rugby Union Correspondent 7 May 2018 • 1:48pm The cloud that has hung over Spanish rugby in recent weeks will be blown away by their day in the sporting sun in Bilbao this weekend. The reprieve may only be temporary with hard-ball talks over events that happened during their World Cup qualification game against Belgium in March looking as if they could end with despondent news for the Spanish. If there were ever a need for a lift then it will surely be found at the San Mames Stadium on Friday and Saturday. This promises to be a coming-of-age celebration for the Spanish as it hosts its first ever European finals. The same would hold true for the fledgling European Professional Club Rugby organisation as it has dared to step outside the traditional... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week … [Read more...] about Talking Rugby: Bilbao finals can be a bold triumph for European rugby’s expansionist vision
Spain’s Bilbao fights to lead European wind power sector
Wind turbines' blades are stored at Haizea Wind Group's headquarters at Bilbao's harbour. Photo: Ander Gillenea/AFP With a brand-new factory and a cluster of specialised firms, the Basque city of Bilbao is the focus of Spain's wind power industry which is fighting to hold its own in the face of fierce competition from China and northern Europe. Iberdrola and Gamesa, two of the most important players in the sector, have their headquarters in the northern Basque region's biggest city and its verdant surrounding area. Gamesa merged with Germany's Siemens in 2017. Both companies lead the Spanish wind power sector whose domestic growth stalled after an economic downturn led the central government in 2012 to end incentives for renewable energy. Despite this Spain remains the fifth country in the world in installed wind power capacity and the outlook for the sector has improved with new tenders launched in 2016. The wind power sector is expected to invest €5.0 billion ($6.0 … [Read more...] about Spain’s Bilbao fights to lead European wind power sector