Athletic Club coach Marcelo Bielsa has ended speculation surrounding his immediate future by agreeing terms on a one-year contract extension that runs until June 2013.

The 56-year-old took the hot seat at San Mamés a year ago and enjoyed an impressive start to his reign, guiding Athletic to a runners-up spot in both the UEFA Europa League and the Copa del Rey, while overseeing a tenth-placed Liga finish.

“Athletic Club and the coach Marcelo Bielsa have agreed to extend the contractual relationship between the two parties until June 30, 2013,” Athletic said in a statement on their website.

Athletic, who only field those of Basque origin, impressed fans across Europe last season with their style of play. With the kind of talent that they have in the squad like Spain pair Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez, playmaker Ander Herrera and attacking midfielders Iker Muniain and Oscar de Marcos, Athletic have to be considered a contender for one of the Champions League positions next season.

Spain rounded off their preparations for the UEFA EURO 2012 with a harder than expected 1-0 victory over China on Sunday.

Manchester City striker David Silva grabbed the winning goal with six minutes remaining as a well-organised Chinese side proved difficult to break down.

With several Spanish players looking to press claims for a place in Vicente Del Bosque’s side for their EURO 2012 opener against Italy next Sunday, it was Santi Cazorla, Fernando Torres and Silva who most caught the eye.

The visitors, coached by former Spain manager Jose Antonio Camacho, looked more dangerous in the opening exchanges and put up a performance that belied their FIFA ranking of 66. Former Celtic player Zheng Zhi caused problems for the Spanish defence on seven minutes when he dispossessed Xabi Alonso in the area and shot wide from a tight angle.

Alvaro Negredo then almost put the hosts ahead after quick thinking from Silva had found him in space, but Zeng Cheng in the Chinese goal did well to block his shot. Iker Casillas was called into action on a number of occasions in the first period as the Chinese caused Spain a number of problems.

The Chinese captain Zhi, who also played in England for Charlton Athletic, was involved in all his side’s good work and was only denied the opening goal by the outstreched leg of Casillas after the Chinese side broke at speed on 28 minutes.

Negredo then shot wide after another Silva pass found him with just the keeper to beat, but the Chinese comfortably kept Spain’s chances down to a minimum in the first half.

Torres replaced Negredo as Spain’s attacking outlet in the second period and another new arrival, Andres Iniesta, produced a spectacular finger tip save from Cheng on 53 minutes. Raul Albiol then hit the post with a header before Iniesta showed great close skill before chipping a shot onto the crossbar.

Torres blazed a volley over the bar and then had two shots charged down in quick succession from the impressive Cheng as the chances started to flow. However Victor Valdes, a second-half replacement for Casillas, had to be alert on 80 minutes to stop a Sun Xiang free-kick that would have given the visitors an unlikely lead.

Six minutes later the breakthrough finally arrived when Iniesta burst into the penalty area before cleverly cutting back for Silva to slide home the winner. Spain will play in Group C at EURO 2012, to be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, and will also face the Republic of Ireland and Croatia.

Barelona’s Cesc Fabregas appears to have shaken off his hamstring injury in time to feature in Spain‘s Euro 2012 Group C opener against Italy on June 10, coach Vicente del Bosque said on Saturday.

“They did some tests yesterday and the doctors saw that he (Fabregas) is in reasonably good shape,” Del Bosque told a news conference in Seville previewing Spain’s final warm-up match against China on Sunday.

“He will rejoin the rest of his team mates in training at some point and, possibly, be ready for the 10th,” he added.

Fabregas, who will be rested against China as a precaution, sustained the injury during Barcelona‘s 3-0 Copa del Rey win over Athletic Bilbao last month.

Fabregas was one of a number of Barca players who ended an intense season carrying injuries and central defender Carles Puyol has been ruled out of Euro 2012 after needing knee surgery.

Midfield orchestrator Xavi, a key player in Spain’s triumphs at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, has been suffering from a persistent calf problem but told a separate news conference in Seville on Saturday he was back to full fitness.

“I am in very good shape and very pleased, excited and physically fine,” the 32-year-old said.

“Yesterday I trained (with the national team) for the first time, I played the King’s Cup final, and I was already feeling good at Real Betis on the final day of the La Liga season (on May 12),” he added.

“I am ready to compete and to make history again with the national team.”

Barcelona forward Pedro has been rewarded for his two goals in the Copa del Rey final on Friday by being included in Spain‘s 23-man squad for the European Championships.

Sevilla‘s Alvaro Negredo was also selected among manager Vicente del Bosque’s strikers, meaning there was no place for Roberto Soldado or Adrian Lopez despite the latter’s goalscoring debut against Serbia on Saturday.

Atletico Madrid‘s Juanfran is included thanks in part to an injury suffered by Andoni Iraola in the cup final and Cesc Fabregas also makes it despite being ruled out for just over a week with a hamstring strain.

Del Bosque spoke to Marca about his squad saying:

“All those that have been with us can feel a little hurt.

‘We have taken them and left them, but in August there are new squads. They need to be aware that they are very close to the national team.

‘The seven that have been left out are a little upset, but they are good sportsmen. It was unthinkable that someone would debut and then come with us.

“We always had Pedro in mind. He has had an irregular season like many others, but we valued his trajectory over the medium term and for this reason we have taken him. We need wide players that are efficient and can complement the bench.

“I didn’t have the Olympics in mind when it came to Adrian. Mata and Javi Martinez will be in the same position. We have preferred other options, but we recognise that he has been brilliant in these days with us. He has done everything very well.

“Negredo and Soldado are two extraordinary and distinct players. One is quicker but the other offers more to the play of the team.’

SPAIN SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
Casillas (Real Madrid), Valdes (Barcelona), Reina (Liverpool)

Defenders:
Alba (Valencia), Albiol, Arbeloa, Ramos (all Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Pique (Barcelona), Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)

Midfielders:
Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Busquets, Fabregas (all Barcelona), Alonso (Real Madrid), Silva (Manchester City), Cazorla (Villarreal), Navas (Sevilla), Mata (Chelsea)

Strikers:
Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Torres (Chelsea), Negredo (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona)

In his last press conference as the manager of FC Barcelona, Guardiola said that he’s happy and that he has the feeling that “with time people will say that these players played great football and that it was enjoyable”

Barcelona’s victory over Athletic meant that Guardiola won his fourth title of the year, and 14th during his time as Barça’s boss. The manager, who was very calm, explained during his last press conference that he’s leaving “happy,” especially because he

“was able to to be part of this process that started so long ago, but it didn’t start nor does it end with me. I’m leaving something behind for those that take my place.” He added: “we didn’t invent anything. Everyone simply implemented their ideas.”

The Barça manager said that the team he’s managed “has left a good memory.” He added that

“I’m infinitely content. I’m leaving happy, with great satisfaction, and leaving a future for the Club so that things can continue to work. We’ve had a great cycle. 14 titles in four years is a difficult feat to achieve. I’m convinced that we’re leaving a good memory behind, with time people will say that these players played great football and that it was enjoyable.”

Guardiola then singled out Lionel Messi saying:

“he has taught me to be more competitive, I’m more competitive now than when I first arrived. It’s clear that we would have not won 14 titles in 4 years if we didn’t have him. I’ve learned a lot of things about football thanks to him. On our part, we’ve tried to teach him that if he participates in a collective dynamic of game play that he, personally, gains a lot more. It has been a privilege to train the best player I have ever seen. With his age and competitive spirit, he’ll continue to give a lot of things to this magnificent Club.”

Finally, Guardiola said that, in terms of football, that this

“was the best season yet.” He added, “we’ve grown tactically. In the first years it was all fireworks, pure energy. This season was more analytical. I’m convinced that with time the team will be even better,” he concluded.

At the end of the press conference, the members of the press at the Vicente Calderón press room gave Guardiola a standing ovation.

Valencia have moved to strengthen their squad by completing the signing of full-back João Pereira from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of €3.7m.

“Sporting reached an agreement with Valencia for the transfer of Joao Pereira for a set fee of 3.7 million euros and a variable fee of 526,000 euros, depending on whether Valencia participates in the Champions League group phase or not,” Sporting wrote in a statement published by Portuguese regulator CMVM.

The 28-year-old defender took a break from Portugal’s UEFA EURO 2012 preparations in order to sign a three-year deal with the Liga side.

“I’m thrilled to have reached an agreement with a great club like Valencia and am happy in the knowledge that I am going to play in such a competitive and demanding league as the Spanish Liga,” said the defender, who made 61 league appearances and scored three goals after joining Sporting in January 2010.

A product of Benfica’s youth academy, Pereira joined Sporting in 2009. The right-sided player, who helped Sporting reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals this season, has been capped 13 times by Portugal and aims to help Paulo Bento’s side negotiate their way through a tricky UEFA EURO 2012 section.

Valencia, who recently announced the arrival of coach Mauricio Pellegrino, will enter next season’s UEFA Champions League at the group stage after finishing the 2011/12 Liga campaign in third place.

Barcelona provided Pep Guardiola with the perfect sendoff by routing Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in the Copa del Rey final on Friday night, the club’s 14th trophy in four seasons under its most successful coach.

Pedro Rodriguez scored in the third and 25th minutes, and Lionel Messi ended his record-setting season with his 73rd goal in the 20th minute. The Catalan club demonstrated the virtues the marked Guardiola’s four seasons in charge – quick-touching passing, intricate combinations and clinical finishing.

Barcelona’s record 26th domestic cup gave the bittersweet season some shine as its fourth title of the season made up some for its failure to repeat as Champions League and Spanish league winners.

“We had a very good year, we won four titles and winning this cup gives them better value,” Guardiola said. “I’m happy to close out the season this way.”

Barcelona won the FIFA Club World Cup, European Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup this season to make it 14 of a possible 19 titles for the 41-year-old Guardiola, who decided to leave and will be replaced by assistant Tito Vilanova.

“I feel like I left some good things behind for the club and that others will continue the good work,” Guardiola said. “Now I will rest and try in the future a new challenge.”

Messi broke the previous European club record of 67 goals set by Bayern Munich’s Gerd Mueller in 1972-73 and the prior world club mark of 70 established by Archie Stark of Bethlehem Steel in the American Soccer League in 1924-25. Messi had a record 50 Spanish league goals, a European Cup-record-tying 14 in the Champions League, three each in the Copa del Rey and and the Spanish Super Cup, two in the Club World Cup and one in the European Super Cup.

“He’s a more competitive player now than when I arrived. In finals, he’s always a determining factor,” Guardiola said of the 24-year-old. “It’s been a privilege to have coached the best player that I’ve ever seen or will ever see.”

The victory ensured a second straight Spanish Super Cup clasico in August when Barcelona will play Real Madrid, which ended the Catalans’ run of three straight league titles.

Guardiola’s defense coped without injured trio Carles Puyol, Eric Abidal and Daniel Alves, while Pedro got the nod in attack over Cesc Fabregas.

Athletic’s chase for its first silverware since 1984 again faltered as the young Basque team showed little improvement from its 3-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final on May 9, leaving its first season under coach Marcelo Bielsa without reward.

Tonight brings down the curtain on the Spanish football season as Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona will meet in the Copa del Rey Final in Madrid, in what will be Pep Guardiola’s last game in charge of Barca.

But if Guardiola is going to leave with another winners medal, he is going to have to do it with a injury riddled squad. Without Alves, Puyol, Villa, Abidal or Fontàs, Barca have problems at the back.

Barca were given a boost however when Alexis Sánchez and José Manuel Pinto were both been declared fit on Thursday, taking the total number of available players to sixteen. To add to the numbers, Guardiola has called up B team members Tello, Bartra, Dos Santos and Montoya. Given so many absentees in defence, possible options for Barça could be to play Montoya at full back or to opt for a three-man defence.

Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao should be able to field a full-strength eleven as the Basques are looking to win their first major title since 1984. Athletico impressed fans around the world with their play in the Europa League, and they will looking to make up for the disappointment of losing the Europa League final.

With 23 titles, the Copa del Rey has always meant a lot to Athletic, but Barça are not a side against which they have too much success of late. In 12 games between the two rivals over the last four seasons, they have lost nine times and only managed three draws.

Possible Line-ups:
Athletic Club (4-1-4-1) : Iraizoz – Aurtenetxe – Amorebieta – Javi Martínez– Iraola – Iturraspe – Herrera – De Marcos – Muniain – Susaeta – Llorente

FC Barcelona (4-3-3) : Pinto – Adriano – Pique – Mascherano – Montoya – Busquets – Xavi – Iniesta – Alexis – Messi – Pedro

Prediction: It has been a long season for both squads, and with the injuries that Barca have, this is a great opportunity for Athletic to beat them. But as long as Barca have Messi in their line-up they have to be favorites.

Score: Athletic 2 Barcelona 3

When Pep Guardiola announce that he was leaving Barcelona, the reason he have was that he was burnt out and needed a year away from the game to spend time with his family and recharge his batteries. Well that might not be the case anymore.

Speaking to the media ahead of the King’s Cup final against Athletic Bilbao in Madrid Guardiola said:

“For the next month I have to charge my batteries,” he said. ‘I will rest and I will wait. I will be ready, if one club wants me, if they seduce me, I will train again.”

That does not sound like a man who wants to spend the next twelve months on the golf course. and Guardiola’s comments will give hope to Chelsea who have made it very clear that they want the Barca man to come to London and manage the European Champions.

But if Guardiola does end up coaching somewhere next season, questions will be asked about his relationship with Barcelona President Sandro Rosell and whether that was the real reason why he wanted to leave the club.

Because from a coaching standpoint, it makes no sense to leave Barcelona and go to Chelsea. At Barca, Messi is entering the prime of his career, you have Neymar coming in two years, and lots of outstanding young talent. At the Nou Camp, Guardiola had a chance to rewrite the history books by building the best club side ever. To walk away from that to go to Chelsea just raises a lot of questions.

Here is a look at the top La Liga players available on Bosman transfers this summer.

With the financial crisis that is engulfing La Liga, many teams will be working on a shoestring transfer budget this summer. The good news, though, is that there are plenty of bargains to be had as every club in La Liga, bar Real Madrid and Barcelona, will be releasing players for free this summer.

Who do you think are the best players available on a Bosman this summer?

ATHLETIC BILBAO
Koikili Lertxundi 23 Dec 1980 Defender
Aitor Ocio 28 Nov 1976 Defender
Igor Gabilondo 10 Feb 1979 Midfielder
Gaizka Toquero* 9 Aug 1984 Striker
Ibai Gomez 11 Nov 1989 Striker* Athletic have the option of extending Toquero’s deal for one more season

ATLETICO MADRID
Antonio Lopez* 13 Sep 1981 Defender
Luis Perea* 30 Jan 1979 Defender * Both players will leave the club this summer

BETIS
Miki Roque 8 July 1988 Defender
Jose Isidoro 1 Aug 1986 Defender
Nacho Perez 24 Jun 1980 Defender
Iriney Santos 23 Apr 1981 Midfielder
Juanma 29 May 1981 Midfielder

ESPANYOL
Kiko Casilla 2 Oct 1986 Goalkeeper
Ernesto Galan 17 Jun 1986 Defender
Cristian Gomez 27 Jul 1989 Midfielder
Walter Pandiani 27 Apr 1976 Striker
Thievy Bifouma 13 May 1992 Striker

GETAFE
Jaime Gavilan 12 May 1985 Midfielder
Pedro Rios 12 Dec 1981 Midfielder

GRANADA
Jose Juan Figueras 25 Jan 1979 Goalkeeper
Diego Mainz 29 Dec 1982 Defender
Inigo Lopez 23 Jul 1982 Defender
Dani Benitez 7 Apr 1987 Midfielder
Abel Gomez 20 Feb 1982 Midfielder
Alex Geijo 11 Mar 1982 Striker

LEVANTE
Nano 7 Jul 1980 Defender
Asier del Horno 19 Jan 1981 Defender
Javi Venta 13 Dec 1975 Defender
Sergio Ballesteros 4 Sep 1975 Defender
Javier Farinos 29 Mar 1978 Midfielder
Juanlu 18 May 1980 Midfielder
Valdo 23 Apr 1981 Midfielder
Rafa Jorda 11 Jan 1984 Striker
Ruben Suarez 19 Feb 1979 Striker

MALAGA
Javier Malagueno 27 Oct 1982 Defender
Helder Rosario 9 Mar 1980 Defender
Enzo Maresca 10 Feb 1980 Midfielder
Ruud van Nistelrooy* 01 July 1976 Striker * Retired

MALLORCA
Pablo Caceres 22 Apr 1985 Defender
Nunes 7 Mar 1977 Defender
Marti Crespi 15 Jun 1987 Defender
Pau Cendros 1 Apr 1987 Defender
Pedro Bigas 15 May 1990 Defender
Gonzalo Castro 14 Sep 1984 Midfielder
Josep Lluis Marti 28 Apr 1975 Midfielder

OSASUNA
Ricardo 30 Dec 1971 Goalkeeper
Roversio Rodrigues 17 Jan 1984 Defender
Sergio Fernandez 23 May 1977 Defender
Patxi Punal 6 Sep 1975 Midfielder
Javier Calleja 12 May 1978 Midfielder
Raul Garcia 11 Jul 1986 Midfielder

RACING SANTANDER
Mario Fernandez 30 Apr 1988 Goalkeeper
Jose Picon 13 Mar 1988 Defender
Osmar Barba 5 Jun 1988 Defender
Bernardo Espinosa 11 Jul 1989 Defender
Gonzalo Colsa 2 Apr 1979 Midfielder
Pedro Munitis 19 Jun 1975 Midfielder
Kennedy 22 Nov 1980 Midfielder
Julian Luque 27 Mar 1992 Midfielder
Adrian Gonzalez 25 May 1988 Midfielder
Jairo 11 Jul 1993 Midfielder
Edu Bedia 23 Mar 1989 Midfielder
Christian Stuani 12 Oct 1986 Striker
Mamadou Kone 25 Dec 1991 Striker

RAYO VALLECANO
David Cobeno 6 Apr 1982 Goalkeeper
Daniel Gimenez 30 Jul 1983 Goalkeeper
Tito 11 Jul 1985 Defender
Jose Manuel Casado 9 Aug 1986 Defender
Alejandro Arribas 1 May 1989 Defender
Raul Bravo 14 Apr 1981 Defender
Jordi Figueras 16 May 1987 Defender
Sueliton Pereira 19 Aug 1986 Defender
Rafa Garcia 14 Jan 1986 Midfielder
Jose Movilla 8 feb 1975 Midfielder
Michel 30 Oct 1975 Midfielder
Piti 26 May 1981 Midfielder
Nestor Susaeta 11 Dec 1984 Midfielder
Javi Fuego 4 Jan 1984 Midfielder
Raul Tamudo 19 Oct 1977 Striker
Koke 27 Apr 1983 Striker
Andrija Delibasic 24 Apr 1981 Striker

REAL SOCIEDAD
Enaut Zubikarai 26 Feb 1984 Goalkeeper
Tono 23 Nov 1986 Goalkeeper
Mikel Aranburu 18 Feb 1979 Midfielder

SEVILLA
Andres Palop 22 Oct 1973 Goalkeeper
Emiliano Armenteros 18 Jan 1986 Midfielder
Tom De Mul 4 Mar 1986 Midfielder
Frederic Kanoute* 2 Sep 1979 Striker * Kanoute has left to join Iranian club Mes Kerman

SPORTING GIJON
Andre Castro 2 Apr 1988 Midfielder
Alberto Rivera 16 Feb 1978 Midfielder
Ivan Hernandez 27 Feb1980 Midfielder
Nacho Novo 26 Mar 1979 Striker

VALENCIA
Cristiano Pereira 29 Nov 1990 Goalkeeper
Bruno Saltor 1 Oct 1980 Defender
Hedwiges Maduro 13 Feb 1985 Defender
Angel Dealbert 1 Jan 1983 Defender
Miguel 4 Jan 1980 Defender
David Albelda 1 Sep 1977 Midfielder

VILLARREAL
Cesar Sanchez* 2 Sep 1971 Goalkeeper
Diego Marino 9 May 1990 Goalkeeper
Angel Lopez* 10 Mar 1981 Defender
Mario Gaspar 24 Nov 1990 Defender
Marcos Senna** 17 Jul 1976 Midfielder
Gerard Bordas 11 Sep 1981 Midfielder
* Cesar and Angel have already left the club
** Senna has confirmed he will stay on at El Madrigal, despite relegation

ZARAGOZA
Leo Franco 20 May 1977 Goalkeeper
Javier Paredes 5 Jul 1982 Defender
Antonio Tomas 19 Jan 1985 Midfielder
Leonardo Ponzio 29 Jan 1982 Midfielder