ATHLETIC BILBAO (Estadio San Mamés)

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP STAGE, ATHLETIC BILBAO 5-3 KRC GENK, ATTENDANCE: 33,417

For the final game of my Spanish trilogy, I headed north to the largest city in the Basque Country, Bilbao.

In the week of the first anniversary of his passing, I followed in the footsteps of Everton Legend Howard Kendall by heading to the San Mames stadium to watch Athletic Bilbao take on Genk in the Europa League.

Ok, this was not the San Mames in which Mr Kendall had coached but the brand new version. The ground was opened in 2013 and, I have to admit, it is a mightily impressive arena.

The ground was built adjacent to the old ground, with three sides of the new build completed whilst Bilbao still played on the old ground. The fourth side was completed once the old ground had been levelled. (Images of the building work can be found here)

It was a flying visit which, sadly, meant little time for any of the touristy stuff. However there was time for a pre-match drink in the rather splendid Singular bar (pictured right). A fine selection of craft beers were on offer for the discerning drinker.

From there it was a 20 minute walk to the ground where tonight I witnessed a small piece of history.

Since the Europa League was revamped into its current format, no player has scored five goals in one game. Tonight veteran Spanish striker Aritz Aduriz achieved that feat as Bilbao came out on top in eight goal thriller.

The scoreline could have been anything as both teams went all out attack. Bilbao scored their goals at the right times to keep their noses in front of the Belgians, who possibly could have grabbed a draw with their second half pressure.

Aduriz put Bilbao 2-0 up with a tap in at the near post (7) and a penalty kick (23) which was awarded by English referee Martin Atkinson, before Leon Bailey slotted home to half the deficit. Aduriz completed his hat-trick before half time with another penalty kick (43).

Onyinye Ndidi made it 3-2 in the 50th minute when he headed home a cross. A defence splitting pass (74) played Aduriz through one-on-one to score his fourth. Genk refused to lie down and five minutes later Tino Sušić scored to once again bring them back within one goal.

In stoppage time though Atkinson awarded Bilbao another penalty and Aduriz stepped up to write his name in the history books. Credit both teams for producing a fantastic game to watch. A fine way to end my Spanish adventure!

Aritz Aduriz scores his third penalty of the match in stoppage time
and secures himself a place in the Europa league history books.

Headlines in the newspapers.