Tottenham set to take part in touching 98-year-old tradition at Europa League final – but Man Utd won’t
TOTTENHAM are set to take part in a tradition ahead of the Europa League final – but Manchester United will not. The two English sides meet on May 21 at the San Mames Stadium, which is the home of Spanish side Athletic Bilbao. AlamySpurs and Man Utd meet in the Europa League final[/caption] GettyTottenham are set to take part in a 98-year-old tradition[/caption] Their stadium opened in 2013 after the old ground on an adjacent plot was demolished. But a tradition has remained for 98 years to honour club icon Rafael Moreno Aranzadi, better known as Pichichi. The legendary striker, who played for them in the early 1900s, suddenly passed away aged 29 from typhus. To pay respect to Pichichi, every team who plays at the San Mames for the first time leaves a bunch of flowers in homage ahead of kick-off. Hungarian side MTK Budapest were the first to make the gesture in 1927. Spurs have never played Athletic Bilbao at their home, only facing them twice in friendlies at different locations. Therefore, Tottenham are set to lay flowers by a bust in a special area by the players’ tunnel to commemorate Pichichi. Before the stadium was modernised, clubs would put their flowers by the statue of the legend outside the ground. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Man Utd will not have to visit the florist ahead of the Europa League final as they have been to the San Mames before. The Red Devils played at the old stadium in 1957 and 2012. And they were at the new ground earlier this month as they knocked out Athletic Bilbao in this year’s semi-final. Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford GettyCaptains of clubs leave flowers at the side of the pitch before playing at the San Mames for the first time[/caption]
TOTTENHAM are set to take part in a tradition ahead of the Europa League final – but Manchester United will not.
The two English sides meet on May 21 at the San Mames Stadium, which is the home of Spanish side Athletic Bilbao.
Their stadium opened in 2013 after the old ground on an adjacent plot was demolished.
But a tradition has remained for 98 years to honour club icon Rafael Moreno Aranzadi, better known as Pichichi.
The legendary striker, who played for them in the early 1900s, suddenly passed away aged 29 from typhus.
To pay respect to Pichichi, every team who plays at the San Mames for the first time leaves a bunch of flowers in homage ahead of kick-off.
Hungarian side MTK Budapest were the first to make the gesture in 1927.
Spurs have never played Athletic Bilbao at their home, only facing them twice in friendlies at different locations.
Therefore, Tottenham are set to lay flowers by a bust in a special area by the players’ tunnel to commemorate Pichichi.
Before the stadium was modernised, clubs would put their flowers by the statue of the legend outside the ground.
Man Utd will not have to visit the florist ahead of the Europa League final as they have been to the San Mames before.
The Red Devils played at the old stadium in 1957 and 2012.
And they were at the new ground earlier this month as they knocked out Athletic Bilbao in this year’s semi-final.
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