Players boarded a barge known as the 'Gabarra' and sailed 13 kilometres down the river from the affluent town of Getxo to the Bilbao city hall, where the party continued. Hundeds of thousands of fans lining the river banks and crammed onto balconies let off smoke bombs and flares, waving flags and scarves in celebration as Athletic celebrated their first cup win since a domestic double in 1984.
Ernesto Valverde's Athletic side beat Mallorca on penalties last weekend in Seville to win the cup, four decades after the club defeated a Barcelona team led by Diego Maradona in the final.
Players from that team, immortalised in photos in most Bilbao bars and restaurants, were also present at the celebrations. "The whole squad's here and we're remembering old times and enjoying it, so these kids see what these fans are truly about," said Javier Clemente, who coached Athletic between 1981-1986.