Basque Country won a penalty shootout 43. Lizarazus last act in a Bordeaux shirt was to play in the 1996 Uefa Cup final defeat to Bayern Munich. [27][28] Note: For this list, a player must be born in the Basque Country, have Basque parents/grandparents, or have spent enough time in the Basque Country to qualify, just asplayers today must do for other countries. The defender from Pamplona is quick and very smart. [42] After playing nine matches in the capital[43] and one in Guadalajara they crossed over to Cuba where their problems with FIFA got worse. Basque football hinges on having a strong defense, fast wingers and a target man who can finish off chances. Next came a return to Juventus where he dragged the club back from Serie B at the first time of asking after they were demoted from Serie A in 2006 in the wake of Calciopoli. Despite being mainly used a left-back under manager Jose Mourinho, Azpilicueta has played the majority of his career as a right-back and will likely do so with Spain in Brazil this summer. French keeper Stephane Ruffier is also Basque and could fight for a starting role. [13] As time went on, the Basque Football Federation would come into inception in 1988. In 2010 however, although there was still no agreement between players and federation, the players agreed to play the match to be played on 29 December in San Mames, between the Basque Country and Venezuela, which ended 31. Is there a way to edit player names on the YAP to make it more realistic? Also played in 1 additional unofficial wartime match in 1938: See, Only played in two unofficial wartime internationals: See, Only played in eight unofficial wartime international matches: See, Last edited on 18 February 2023, at 22:36, Basque Country national football team results, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1965, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1913, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1937, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches), Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1953, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1936, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1947, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1985, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1920, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1962, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1940, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1933, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1938, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1960, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1988, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1934, Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1966, "Xabi Alonso, Fernando Llorente and the Best Basque Players: A Starting XI", "Basque Greatest All-time 23 member team", "Catalonia and Basque Country reignite call for independent national football identities", "Basque Country: The Spain internationals playing for a different team", List of all Basque players who have played international football, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Basque_footballers&oldid=1140192464, This page was last edited on 18 February 2023, at 22:36. In Spain, Catalonia has received major attention over the years due to the success of Barcelona and calls for independence. It wasn't until 1930 that the Biscayan and Gipuzkoan federations finally came together to create the first permanent team with the name 'Vasconia' ('Baskoniako selekzioa') to represent the Basque Country. In Vitoria-Gasteiz there is Alavs, who went from fourth-tier football to Uefa Cup finalists in just over a decade in the 1990s. Bayonne has given football more than just Deschamps. Then they played Silesia in Chorzw on 9 June. You won't be finding first team ready players at any of these clubs. [2], The new Bilbao FC was officially established shortly after its foundation since its regulations were approved by the civil governor and printed in 1901. The Basque Country has a powerful sense of its own sovereignty, and this week, its older football figures have been remembering the significant events of 40 years ago, when, in a Real Sociedad versus Athletic match, the players took to the field bearing, proudly, the Basque flag, the ikurrina. Eden might be the better footballer, but he doesn't have the best name in the family. [16] With the Basque representative team organised on only an occasional, unofficial basis, the region has provided a long list of players for the Spanish national team throughout its history, particularly in the early decades of the 20th century when a high proportion of the top players across the whole league were Basque due to the sport's popularity in the region, but also in subsequent periods due to the focus on homegrown talent by the major clubs (although this is true to a certain extent across Spain, with all the leading teams using a long-established cantera system of youth development). And, though he wouldn't be among the best around at his position, there are many keepers going to the World Cup this summer who are not on the same level as Iraizoz. He now has an eye for goal and is able to pull all of the strings in the middle of the pitch. DNA from ancient remains seems to have solved the puzzle of one of Europe's most enigmatic people: the Basques. Xabi Alonso is a World Cup winner who has also won almost everything else in his footballing career. Though he will not be going to Brazil this summer, he is destined for a long and successful international career. Then, in 2007, after 69 years without playing outside Spain, the Basque Country faced Venezuela in San Cristbal, winning 43. I know about Ruffier, Laporte and Griezmann. Leave your thoughts and comments below. [30] In the 193839 season they played under the name Club Deportivo Euzkadi in the Liga Mexicana de Football Amateur Association,[48] one of the two major leagues in Mexico at that time where they won 7, drew 1 and lost 4 games,[49] eventually coming runners up in the league. This is rugby union territory. The first time was on 25 June 1966 on the 50th anniversary of Real Unin's founding. In the autumn of 1937 the team crossed the Atlantic to play in Mexico where FIFA had given them permission to play clubs and the national side. The representative team is run by the Basque Football Federation. His pace would make him a dangerous weapon, and the Basques would benefit from his endless energy and competitiveness. Above all else, he excels in holding up play and can create chances for otherssomething that would come in handy with Muniain and Griezmann flanking him on the wings. So the Basque team only played club sides, playing four matches, winning one and losing two. He can put a lot of pace on his shots and is already known for scoring some unbelievable goals in his time at Real Sociedad. For the politicians of the PNV who favoured the name 'Euskadi', they saw this as the historic name used by the Basque football team since the 1930s and geographically they said it always included the Spanish Basque Country, the French Basque Country and Navarre (from where the players are selected), but to the players and the politicians supporting them, only the term 'Euskal Herria' had this geographic meaning and to them 'Euskadi' only referred to the Spanish Basque Country. The Basque Country beat Tunisia, who were 35th in the FIFA rankings an unbeaten in seven, 3-1 in front of 15,000 people at There is, however, another Aviron Bayonnais, a team that kicks the round ball. Despite only accounting for just 1.4% of all Spanish territory, 4 of the 10 founding members of the inaugural Spanish . Other key matches included defeats to Cameroon (01) and Wales (01), and victory over Serbia (40). Save Rules. He also played for France at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp. As they had run out of money and had no way of raising any, many of the big Argentine sides raised money for them. Scheduled ten days after the 201819 La Liga season had ended but prior to the second division's conclusion, various factors meant experienced players were reluctant to put themselves forward for the long trip across the Atlantic, and the small squad was augmented with promising youngsters, including four who had never played at a higher level than the regional third tier with Athletic Bilbao's reserves. The 33-year-old is one of the most dependable keepers in La Liga and is a regular in Basque friendlies. Who would choose to play for the team and what effect would it have on Spain and France? [15] Athletic Bilbao are highly regarded due to their ability to compete against the biggest teams like Real Madrid, Atltico Madrid, and FC Barcelona over several decades despite this restriction and commitment to local young players. [78] Eventually, a fixture was arranged for the Basque team to face Venezuela in October 2018 at Mendizorroza,[79] which they won 42. For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Category:Footballers from the Basque Country (autonomous community) . [2] A few months later, in February 1901, Athletic Club, probably encouraged by the first news about the founding of Bilbao FC, began conversations to officially establish the club, which they did on 5 September 1901, in the infamous meeting held in the Caf Garca, in which the 33 members decided to make it official and register as a sports organization with the local council. Prior to the rise of Petit, the Spanish game resembled disorganised chaos, his footballing brain seemingly bringing a new era of calm and beauty to the sport. Any chance of having the Basque national team actually competing in international tournaments is surely a long way awayif it ever is to occur. [71], On 28 December 2013, the Basque team played its first match in the new San Mames stadium against Peru[72] winning 60. [5], The Basques' summer 2019 fixture away to Panama[80] did little to enhance their credentials. Our Basque football guide heads deep into the heart of a region that was in many respects the birthplace of football in Spain with Basque clubs playing a vital role and enjoying considerable success during those formative years. Head-to-head against other Autonomous Communities, Liga Mexicana de Football Amateur Association, List of Basque Country international footballers, Basque Country national football team results, Basque Country women's national football team, "Para Prieto todo empez contra Honduras", "Basque Country: The Spain internationals playing for a different team", "ABC newspaper archive, 2 January 1931, in Spanish", "Mundo Deportivo newspaper, 21 December 1914 in Spanish", "Vizcaya-Gupscoa The lawsuit gives the contrast with National Committee", "La Federacion Norte contina su asambleas", "El Equipo Vasco est en camino de Amrica", "En el Uruguay, pierden nuevamente por 31", "El Mundo Deportivo newspaper archive, 28 August 1922, in Spanish", "ABC newspaper, 6 October 1922, in Spanish", "Gran triufo de la seleccion Vizcaina sobre la Asturiana", "La orgullosa gnesis de la Seleccin Vasca de Ftbol", "La seleccin de Euskadi parte para Amrica (1937)", "Todos los futbolistas vascos siguen a las rdenes de su Gobierno", "De la Seleccion Vasca que triumf esplndidamente", "Apre un match joue sous la pluie, l'OM battu est devenu Champion de France", "La FIFA reconoce la beligerancia a Franco? Iker Muniain broke onto the scene at just 16 years old when he debuted for Athletic back in 2009. Martinez would form a solid pivot in front of the defensive and would partner well with the Basque midfielders. Northern Spain is filled with quality players, and one day they just might be waving the Basque flag at a World Cup or European Championship tournament. Only played in one unofficial wartime international: Only played in three unofficial wartime international: See. Thanks for the lists! Basques in the 2018 World Cup - Euskal Kazeta At least seven players in the World Cup have Basque ancestry or come from the Basque Country. They can be found in the fifth tier of their domestic league but are looking to return to the fourth tier after their most recent relegation in 2012-13. Victor Erice, film director. In 2008, a compromise was reached and it was changed again to Euskal selekzioa. Apart from Balenziaga, Nacho Monreal is another prime candidate to start at left-back for the Basque national team if Azpilicueta stays on the right. [65][66] The controversy went beyond the sports arena and against this statement were positioned many political parties such as the PNV, PSE-PSOE and PP, and supporting it were Eusko Alkartasuna, Ezker Batua and Eusko Abertzale Ekintza. Lacuesta, often on the fringes at Saint-tienne, went on to play in the 1978 Uefa Cup final for Bastia and was in the side that won the 1981 French Cup final against his former club. In 1922 separate teams were created for Biscay and Cantabria because the former decided to form their own federation (Biscayan Federation).[18][19]. Both Gipuzkoa and Biscay participated in the 1922-23 and 1923-24 Copa del Prncipe de Asturias, with the later reaching the semi-finals of the 1923-24 edition after defeating Asturias in Bilbao 42 thanks to a second-half brace from Travieso,[26] but then lost to eventual champions Catalonia, who had already eliminated Gipuzkoa from the competition. [40][31] Lastly they travelled to Norway and Denmark in August[30] where they beat an stfold select (13), Norwegian AIF (23), and completed their biggest win to date against Denmark's DAI[dk] (111). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He can also feature as a centre-back, which makes him a very useful player in any squad. Other stand-ins for Herrera would include Mikel Arteta, Benat and Raul Garica. He is more than capable of keeping possession and also boasts a keen ability to cross the ball. [77] However, a proposed meeting with Chile did not come to pass. Bixente Jean-Michel Lizarazu ( Basque pronunciation: [biente lisarasu], born 9 December 1969) is a French former professional footballer who played as a left back for Bordeaux and Bayern Munich, among other teams. Media related to Basque Country association football team at Wikimedia Commons. If Laporte was to snub the Basque national team for France, there are several other options in defence such as Mikel Gonzalez, Carlos Gurpegui and Mikel San Jose. However, discrepancies between the federation, players and ESAIT led to the match, scheduled again to be played against Iran, not to be played. Aviron Bayonnais FC continue to play in the regionalised amateur levels of the French pyramid. Just three miles from Biarritz youll find Bayonne, where there is a great love of bull-fighting, which plays a large part in the five-day Ftes de Bayonne festival during early August. Beyond Gorka Iraizoz, there are other promising keepers. Laporte gained Spanish citizenship due to time spent living in Biscay (2010 to 2018). Bayonne is also a rugby union town. A year later Petit was back in the Copa del Rey final, up against Madrid and leading Real Unin to a 2-0 victory. But other Basque clubs, such asEibar, who will likely be promoted to the first division for the first time next season, are beginning to find success as well. Txingurri, as he is affectionately called, would provide the leadership and direction to help the team achieve success. Saint-tienne have again benefited in the shape of Hugo Lloriss international understudy Stphane Ruffier, the goalkeeper arriving from Bayonne via a spell at Monaco. Mikel Oyarzabal, perhaps Real Sociedad's most important player, was selected for both the Euros and Olympic squads and is now a fully fledged Spain international, despite previously playing one. History. With a deep talent pool to choose from, the Basques would be able to field a team capable of making it out of the group stages of a World Cup. [45] They then crossed the Andes to Valparaso, Chile, where on 9 May 1938 they played Santiago Wanderers,[46] but the result is not known. A team made up of players from the Basque Country played Real Madrid in the Gal Stadium in Irun, losing 02. [7] During the Second Spanish Republic, they played firstly under the name of Baskoniako selekzioa (the Vasconia team) and then from 1936 as Euzkadiko selekzioa (the Euskadi team). [60], In 2007 the team's name was changed to 'Euskal Herria' (Euskal Herriko Futbol Selekzioa), and on 29 December they played a match against Catalonia in San Mames. In the summer of 1922 a team calling itself 'the Basque team' (Equipo Vasco) was sent to South America. With that in mind, this article will take a look at what the Basque national team could look like today, as well as discussing just how competitiveEuskalHerriacould really be. Within a week of leaving Marseille he was the new coach of the national side, taking France to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil and earning the chance to lead them to Euro 2016 on home soil. Up to the present time they have played 40 matches against a wide range of FIFA national teams such as Russia, Nigeria, Uruguay, Serbia, Tunisia, Estonia, Venezuela and Costa Rica, plus others against non-FIFA teams of various types. This contrasts with their opponents, as the fixture does not contribute to their Association ranking points or individual cap totals and is thus one of the least significant matches out of several they would play each year. The Basque Country, located in Northern Spain, has a population of around 3 million with football in their blood. [36][37] A match due to take place on 30 May in the Netherlands against Rotterdam was cancelled by the Dutch Federation. Category for Association football players from the Basque Country . The defence could be stacked as well. [55] The team were called the 'Seleccin Vasca' and drew 00. The man in France behind the humanitarian effort was the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who had previously . Heading over to Pamplona, you have another Basque side in the form of Osasuna; despite last seasons relegation to the Segunda Divisin, they have been a regular presence in the Spanish top flight for many years. 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