BILBAO, Spain: Athletic Bilbao are known around the world for only selecting players from their home region and they have the chance to prove their renowned philosophy can also deliver trophies when they play two Copa del Rey finals in April.
Everyone involved at the club believes their unusual policy of selecting home-grown players is a virtue, not a handicap.Advertisement Although Athletic's narrow selection policy has many admirers, it has been criticised in Spain for being provincial. The team spirit Marcelino highlights was on display when Athletic beat Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final in January before coming from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 in the final.
"Each match is a struggle but you're playing with your friends. This is like a family, you're taught at a very young age that you're here to support the club and that makes us very excited to wear this shirt. "We're a team where our market is in our own home, boys born here and educated here by us. Our transfer market is our youth team. It's a unique philosophy in the world, we carry it in our hearts and it's why we've spent so long in La Liga."
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