Athletic Bilbao have been held to a 1-1 draw by Israeli side Ironi Kiryat Shmona in their opening Europa League match at the San Mames.

Oscar De Marcos had an early opportunity for the hosts, but it was the visitors who made the breakthrough on 14 minutes when Adrian Rochet unknowingly guided Laszlo Lencse's shot into the net via his back.

Markel Susaeta netted the equaliser five minutes before the break when he fired home from inside the area.

Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa introduced Fernando Llorente at the start of the second half and the striker almost made an instant impact. However, the Spaniard's header rattled the crossbar before being cleared.

Llorente continued to cause the Ironi defence plenty of problems and nearly got his name on the scoresheet on the hour when his header was saved by Dani Amos.

The home side laid siege to the visitors' goal in the final 15 minutes as they looked to clinch the three points but they were denied the win.