[Iribar]

Now that we´re with awards, how about this one?

Something like....

1. Best basque player
2. Best non-basque player in a basque club
3. Worst basque player (ay aitor aitor )
4. The surprise of the year
5. The confirmation of the year
6. Basque team of the year
7. Basque/basque-team coach of the year
8. Best game of the year
9. Your player bet for 2005 (who will be the surprise)
10. Your hope for 2005

OPTIONAL, other sports

11. Basque man of the year
12. Woman of the year
13. Team of the year (men)
14. Team of the year (women)
15. Coach of the year
16. Moment of the year
17. Hope for 2005

....for example

 

[Iribar]

1. Best basque player
Probably not his best year but I think he´s nowadays the best player, I´m talking about Xabi Alonso. Only Yeste could have something to say about it but his lack of regularity kills him. He hasn´t probably conquered english market as Iván Campo () but Xabi has vision, has pass, has intelligence and defends well, maybe he lacks speed but does he need it? I´m sure Fish agrees with me.

2. Best non-basque player in a basque club
Nihat comes to my mind but I give my vote to Pablo García. I´m not a fan of his personality but can´t deny he´s the leader of Osasuna and an excellent midfielder. Appart from defending well he also plays the ball, a very solid partnership with Patxi Puñal.

3. Worst basque player (ay aitor aitor )
I made this category just so I could vote Aitor Karanka.

4. The surprise of the year
He already showed sparks of his class in 2003 but 2004 has been Andoni Iraola´s year, no doubt. He isn´t excellent technically but I think he´s one of the most intelligent players in the sport. As a winger he offers help, center & goal while as a right back he adds defense and surprise, excellent player.

5. The confirmation of the year
I can´t vote one, they have to go together as they always do. Fran Yeste and Asier Del Horno (Zipi & Zape) have been more consistant this year although I still think they can give much more.

6. Basque team of the year
For the UEFA qualification, and the level shown in this competititon it has to be Athletic. Only Eibar could say something about it.

7. Basque/basque-team coach of the year
I could think in Irureta (semis of CL), Valverde (UEFA qualification), Lotina (super-Espanyol) or even Mendilibar with his Eibar but my vote goes to the man who made Monaco Champions League finalist (with Madrid humilliation included ), Didier Deschamps.

8. Best game of the year

Any doubt about it?

9. Your player bet for 2005 (who will be the surprise)
Xabi Prieto, Igor Angulo, Mikel Labaka, Manuel Almunia..... but I vote for Asier Riesgo. I think this is going to be his year.


10. Your hope for 2005

Will we make it 21 years later?

...it´s in our hands..:hopefull:

Special mention for a career
I don´t know if he´s finally retiring this season but Bittor Alkiza deserves a mention for so many years of great football and for being such a noble man.

The rest for other day.