A FOOTBALL fairytale is expected to collide head-on with football reality tonight.
When Spanish third division side Mirandes arrive to play Athletic Bilbao, one of the top clubs in La Liga, at the intimidating San Mames stadium, a soccer dream is likely to be shattered.
Bilbao, known as the Lions, will be ready to devour Mirandes in the second leg of the King's Cup (Copa del Rey) semifinal. Athletic lead 2-1 from the first leg in Miranda de Ebro's Anduva stadium last week and will look to powerful Spain striker Fernando Llorente to crush little Mirandes.
Llorente recently returned from injury to score six times in three games for the Lions, including both goals in the first leg. But even if Mirandes are to succumb, their giant-killing act in Spanish soccer will long be remembered. The club based in Burgos in the province of Castile and Leon has captured the hearts and imaginations of football fans throughout Spain.
Mirandes have disposed of La Liga teams Villarreal, Racing Santander and Espanyol in their march to the semifinals.
Much of the credit for their progress has been given to their 31-year-old striker Pablo Infante, the bank manager who is the Cup's top scorer with seven goals.
That's more than even Lionel Messi has scored for Barcelona, who meet Valencia in the other semifinal tomorrow night.
Mirandes' fairytale run under threat
A FOOTBALL fairytale is expected to collide head-on with football reality tonight.
When Spanish third division side Mirandes arrive to play Athletic Bilbao, one of the top clubs in La Liga, at the intimidating San Mames stadium, a soccer dream is likely to be shattered.
Bilbao, known as the Lions, will be ready to devour Mirandes in the second leg of the King's Cup (Copa del Rey) semifinal. Athletic lead 2-1 from the first leg in Miranda de Ebro's Anduva stadium last week and will look to powerful Spain striker Fernando Llorente to crush little Mirandes.
Llorente recently returned from injury to score six times in three games for the Lions, including both goals in the first leg. But even if Mirandes are to succumb, their giant-killing act in Spanish soccer will long be remembered. The club based in Burgos in the province of Castile and Leon has captured the hearts and imaginations of football fans throughout Spain.
Mirandes have disposed of La Liga teams Villarreal, Racing Santander and Espanyol in their march to the semifinals.
Much of the credit for their progress has been given to their 31-year-old striker Pablo Infante, the bank manager who is the Cup's top scorer with seven goals.
That's more than even Lionel Messi has scored for Barcelona, who meet Valencia in the other semifinal tomorrow night.
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