No Txapela for Real

Real Sociedad fell to a 0-1 defeat against Athletic Club in the EH Txapela final, played this afternoon at Anoeta. The visitors secured the title thanks to a Maroan header in the second half.

The match was evenly contested throughout, with Real Sociedad without several players away on international duty. There were few clear chances in the first half, the closest coming from a Maroan effort that grazed the crossbar.

The second half brought more action. Aihen had a goal ruled out early on, following a similar disallowed effort from Johaneko for Athletic in the first half, while Gorrotxa went close with a right-footed shot. Just before the hour mark, Maroan headed home from a set piece to give the visitors the lead.

The EH Txapela heads to Bilbao. For Real Sociedad, it was a useful workout to maintain fitness levels and round off a week of work, with the return of league football now on the horizon.

Match details:

Real Sociedad: Remiro (Marrero, 46'), Rupérez (Lebarbier, 85'), Beitia, Pacheco, Aihen (Sergio Gómez, 58'), Gorrotxa (Aguirre, 71'), Turrientes (cap.) (Soler, 71'), Marín (Dani Díaz, 68'), Zakharyan, Marchal (Barrene, 58'), Guedes (Carrera, 85').

Athletic Club: Santos, Rincón (Areso, 62'), Paredes (Vivian, 71'), Yeray (Jauregizar, 46'), Johaneko (Yuri, 71'), Prados (Gerenabarrena, 62'), Rego, Berenguer (Serrano, 46'), Canales (Williams, 62'), Navarro (Sancet, 62'), Maroan (Guruzeta, 71').

Goal: 0-1 Maroan (58').

Referee: Luis Bestard. Bookings: Gorrotxa (Real Sociedad); Rincón (Athletic Club).

Attendance: 9,678.