Latest news with #Bilbao-bound
The 42
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Man United or Spurs fan? How to get to the Europa League final in Bilbao without breaking the bank
WITH THE EUROPA League final just around the corner, thousands of Irish football fans are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling clash in Bilbao. This will be the third time in history that two English teams have faced off in the competition's final, with Man United beating Athletic Club and Tottenham overcoming Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals this week. Whether you're a die-hard United supporter or a lifelong Spurs fan, you won't want to miss the opportunity to see your team lift the trophy — especially as both sides are set to end the Premier League season on a low note. Given the strong followings both clubs have here, it's no surprise that many fans are already planning their trip from Ireland to Spain. But how exactly do you get there? Direct flights Flying is the most convenient option for travelling from Ireland to Spain, but airline seats are already in high demand. Advertisement Aer Lingus are currently the only airline to fly direct from Ireland to Bilbao, and fares aren't cheap. There are no seats left on the 20 or 21 May aboard any Bilbao-bound Irish flights. Currently, your best option is a €432 fare for flights from either Cork or Dublin airport on 18 May. Indirect flights Supporters on a budget may want to avoid connecting flights, as the price drastically increases by booking a flight with a layover. Air France are currently offering a flight from Dublin to Paris and a connecting flight from Paris to Bilbao for €694 on 20 May. The total travel time would be just over five hours between the two flights. Other connecting flights are currently on offer for even steeper prices on the 20 and 21 May — so it might be best for you to spend a few days in Bilbao before the final. Alternatively, you can head to Barcelona from Dublin on 20 May with a number of airlines, including Ryanair, and then travel to Bilbao by train. Ferry Supporters with more time to spare might want to consider travelling by ferry. Brittany Ferries offers a sailing from Rosslare to Bilbao for those not travelling with a car, departing just before midnight on 16 May and arriving 32 hours later at 8am on 18 May. Tickets are €151 each. According to a spokesperson for Brittany Ferries, there are around 90 cabins remaining on this trip. Currently, those travelling with a car can only buy tickets for a ferry on 14 May. Tickets for this ferry are currently priced at €179 each. 'While we're aware of strong interest in the final, especially given the involvement of teams with significant followings in Ireland, we haven't seen a noticeable surge in bookings so far this week,' a Brittany Ferries spokesperson told The Journal. Car Alternatively, those more comfortable behind the wheel can travel to France and make the long drive down to Bilbao. A number of ferries travel between Rosslare and Cherbourg daily, and from there it's only a 10-hour, 1000km drive to the coastal Spanish city. Written by Andrew Walsh and posted on
The Journal
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
Man Utd or Spurs fan? How to get to the Europa League final in Bilbao without breaking the bank
WITH THE EUROPA League final just around the corner, thousands of Irish football fans are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling clash in Bilbao. This will be the third time in history that two English teams have faced off in the competition's final, with Man United beating Athletic Club and Tottenham overcoming Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals this week. Whether you're a die-hard United supporter or a lifelong Spurs fans, the opportunity to see your team lift the trophy is something you won't want to miss – especially as both sides look to end the Premier League season on a low note. Given the strong followings both clubs have here, it's no surprise that many fans are already planning their trip from Ireland to Spain. But how exactly do you get there? Direct flights Flying is the most convenient option for traveling from the Ireland to Spain, but airline seats are already in high demand. Aer Lingus are currently the only airline to fly direct from Ireland to Bilbao, and fares aren't cheap. There are no seats left on the 20 or 21 May aboard any Bilbao-bound Irish flights. Currently, your best option is a €432 fare for flights from either Cork or Dublin airport on 18 May. Advertisement Indirect flights Supporters on a budget may want to avoid connecting flights, as the price drastically increases by booking a flight with a layover. Air France are currently offering a flight from Dublin to Paris and a connecting flight from Paris to Bilbao for €694 on the 20 May. The total travel time would be just over 5 hours between the two flights. Other connecting flights are currently on offer for even steeper prices on the 20 and 21 May – so it might be best for you to spend a few days in Bilbao before the final. Alternatively, you can head to Barcelona from Dublin on 20 May with a number of airlines, including Ryanair, and then travel to Bilbao by train. Ferry Supporters with more time to spare might want to consider traveling by ferry. Brittany Ferries offers a sailing from Rosslare to Bilbao for those not travelling with a car, departing just before midnight on 16 May and arriving 32 hours later at 8am on 18 May. Tickets are €151 each. According to a spokesperson for Brittany Ferries, there are around 90 cabins still remaining on this trip. Currently, those travelling with a car can only buy tickets for a ferry on 14 May. Tickets for for this ferry are currently priced at €179 each. 'While we're aware of strong interest in the final, especially given the involvement of teams with significant followings in Ireland, we haven't seen a noticeable surge in bookings so far this week,' a Brittany Ferries spokesperson told The Journal . Car Alternatively, those more comfortable behind the wheel can travel to France and make the long drive down to Bilbao. A number of ferries travel between Rosslare and Cherbourg daily, and from there it's only a 10-hour, 1000km drive to the coastal Spanish city. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Postecoglou threatens to have last laugh as Tottenham reach Europa League final
BODO/GLIMT 0-2 TOTTENHAM (1-5): Spurs booked their ticket to Bilbao as goals from Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro capped another professional European victory in Northern Norway Ange Postecoglou "always" wins a trophy in his second season - and now Bilbao-bound Spurs are just 90 minutes away from ending their gruelling 17-year wait for silverware. The hard-nosed Aussie's dauntless September remark has persistently been used as a stick to beat him with throughout Tottenham's never-ending domestic struggles. French giants PSG have even won as many matches (five) as Spurs versus Premier League opposition in 2025 but Postecoglou is now threatening to have the last laugh as he stands on cusp of salvation after his side comfortably weathered Bodo/Glimt's second-leg barrage on an awkward artificial pitch. Some 1824 miles from the Tottenham High Road, 80km north of the Arctic Circle in chilling conditions, Spurs finally rediscovered their sense of belonging as second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro fired them into the Europa League final. Say it quietly but having already beaten Manchester United on three separate occasions this season, there's cautious optimism glory is well and truly within their grasp. Bodo/Glimt defender Jostein Gundersen had attempted to light the pre-match touch paper by claiming Spurs were "not the best team in the world in defence," but Tottenham, who utilised their big-name experience, were rarely troubled across either tie and nobody can dispute they're worthy of a place in a showpiece European final following a convincing 5-1 aggregate victory. The population of picturesque Bodo is just 53,712 meaning you could pack out the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the municipality's residents and still have 9138 seats left to spare. Unsurprisingly, the yellow-filled 8,270-seater Aspmyra Stadion was bursting at the seams, 50,000 home supporters threw their hat into the ballot for the final 480 tickets and one unsuccessful punter later traded five kilos of boknafisk, semi-dried fish worth £182, in exchange for admission. But, however good Bodo/Glimt's tifo looked, it was hardly a cauldron of noise and Spurs, who calmly navigated a difficult, deafening atmosphere in Frankfurt, quickly realised that and soon began to feel at home. They flew out of the traps, first Richarlison had an early effort blocked before Destiny Udogie lashed a dangerous delivery across the face of goal. Guglielmo Vicario, who revealed on Wednesday night he has not played on an artificial surface in five years, looked self-assured, receiving two first-half warnings from referee Maurizio Mariani for time-wasting as the Italian began to get under the skin of the tetchy crowd. Bodo/Glimt, winners of four Norwegian Eliteserien titles in the past five seasons, were set on writing more history having already previously executed impressive scalps over Lazio, Olympiacos, Besiktas, Porto, Jose Mourinho's Roma (6-1) and Big Ange's Celtic under highly-rated boss Kjetil Knutsen. Vicario was equal to Patrick Berg's free-kick before top-scorer Kasper Hogh headed over from close range. Spurs survived a second-half scare when Fredrik Bjorkan's deep cross caused panic at the far post but they grabbed a precious opener when sub Mathys Tel's corner was first met by the head of Cristian Romero before being stabbed in by the grateful Solanke. Porro then added a second six minutes later when his cross looped right over Bodo goalkeeper Nikita Haikan and flew in off the post. The Spaniard has since admitted he did not go for goal but Spurs, who have received little luck all season, will welcome a rare slice of good fortune.
