Thursday Night
The noise hit first.
A thick, rolling, earth-shaking wave of sound from over 50,000 Athletic fans packed inside San Mamés, red and white flags swaying like a storm above the lower stands. Basque drums thumped deep enough to rattle bones; chants spiraled up toward the rafters as warm-ups concluded and both teams retreated into the dressing rooms.
CBS Sports' broadcast cracked alive over the soundscape.
Andrés Cordero:
"From the heart of Bilbao, good evening and welcome. This is the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals, first leg, coming to you live from the cathedral itself — San Mamés. Athletic Club hosting Eintracht Frankfurt on a night that feels absolutely monumental."
Chris Wittyngham:
