Athletic Bilbao in dreamland after reaching another Copa del Rey final

For 40 long years, Athletic Bilbao have endured the bitter disappointment of never winning the Copa del Rey. Their journey has been marred by the agony of falling short in six consecutive finals, always stumbling at the last hurdle. However, their upcoming appearance in the final at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville on April 6th presents them with the best chance yet to break the cycle of heartbreak.

In a thrilling semifinal showdown against Atletico Madrid, Inaki and Nico Williams stole the spotlight, propelling Athletic Bilbao to an impressive 3-0 victory. This resounding win secured them a commanding 4-0 aggregate triumph, securing their place in the Copa del Rey final for the third time in the last five years.

With a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg, Athletic wasted no time in further solidifying their advantage. Inaki, assisted by his younger brother Nico, found the back of the net early in the match, giving them the edge on the night. 

Just moments before halftime, the roles reversed, with Inaki providing the assist for Nico to extend their lead to three goals. Gorka Guruzeta, who is a big revelation in La Liga this season, sealed the victory with a well-taken goal shortly after the hour mark.

"The connection between Inaki and me is genuine, and it's working incredibly well. We have a great understanding on the pitch," Nico gleefully remarked about their on-field chemistry. "I couldn't be happier. Reaching the final is like a dream come true, especially when our incredible fans are there to support us every step of the way. Athletic Bilbao is a force to be reckoned with, and we're hoping to clinch the victory in the final."

In the upcoming showpiece, Bilbao will go head-to-head with Mallorca, who currently find themselves in the 16th spot in the league, a mere six points clear of the relegation zone. Bilbao, sitting in fifth place, is just one position behind Atletico Madrid in fourth. 

Mallorca, despite their lower league standing, have suffered the misery of losing in the final twice before, in 1991 and 1998. They secured their spot in this year's final showdown with a penalty shootout triumph over Real Sociedad after both legs of the tie ended in a 1-1 draw on aggregate.

Undoubtedly, this has been a day of pure perfection for Bilbao. Yet, going all the way and winning the final would undoubtedly be the ultimate remedy for their previous final heartaches.