Bielsa delighted as Athletic Bilbao reach Copa del Rey final

Venezuela Star (IANS) Wednesday 8th February, 2012

Athletic Club Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa admitted his delight shortly after seeing his club qualify for the final of the Copa del Rey football competition.

Two goals from Fernando Llorente helped Athletic seal a 6-2 win Tuesday night and an 8-3 aggregate triumph against Mirandes.

It is the 36th time that Athletic have reached a Cup final and means Bielsa has taken Athletic to the brink of a major title in his first season at the club.

"I am happy as we know what it means to get to the final, I am happy for the players, as they have fulfilled the objectives we set and I am happy because the whole event was a party for all of those who were here," said the coach, who was visibly emotional at the support given by the 40,000 Athletic fans in their San Mames Stadium.

"I have never seen a public as committed and as happy as those here. It is a great sensation when football provokes these emotions among the supporters," said Bielsa, who refused to comment whether or not the achievement would lead him to extend his contract with the club.

Athletic will play either Barcelona or Valencia, who face each other in the remaining semifinal, but the coach was unwilling to say which rival he would prefer.

"It is not for me to choose who we should play in the final. It is the competition that decides," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.