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NEWS | Copa del Rey
07 April 2024

Ernesto Valverde: "This trophy is like no other"

The Athletic Club coach, and Nico Williams, MOTM in the final, appeared at a press conference after winning the Copa del Rey.

Excitement flooded the press room at Estadio La Cartuja when Ernesto Valverde and Nico Williams appeared. The Athletic Club coach and best player of the final, both winners of the Copa del Rey after beating RCD Mallorca in the penalty shoot-out.

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"It was evenly matched and we had to suffer. We've been looking for this joy for many years," said the Athleticzale coach with a smile on his face. Achieving a feat of the calibre of winning the Copa del Rey takes a lot of hard work and Valverde didn't even have time to imagine a celebration that aims to bring the party barge out in Bilbao: "When we've been waiting for a final for so long, the last thing you think about is what the celebration will be like".

To win the Copa del Rey Athletic Club had to go through extra time and penalties, an extra effort that was worth it in the end: "At the end we were all exhausted, but it's true that in extra time we had the feeling that we could win. In the penalties we got it right and this final will be a match we will always remember".

"This title is like no other. That’s how I feel. It's also special because of the importance it has for the club. It was a very nice moment and we celebrated it with the fans on the pitch," said Ernesto Valverde before leaving to celebrate with his team.

NICO WILLIAMS: "From a normal neighbourhood to great success".

Champion of the Copa del Rey with his boyhood team, playing side by side with his brother and MOTM of the final, that is the story that Nico Williams is writing with his feet. Something that for the young international footballer "is a dream. From a normal neighbourhood to achieving great successes like this. My parents deserve it, my friends and I hope they enjoy it a lot".

"I was the first to cry and these fans deserve everything and more. I can't imagine the people who are so happy and content, they deserve it all", concluded the MOTM of the final, something that puts the finishing touches on an already fantastic tournament.