Spain's Regional 'National Teams'
Spain has many regions such as Catalonia and the Basque Country who have strong individual identities including their own language, history and culture. Some of the regions even have their own national football teams who compete periodically (mainly during the Christmas break) against not only each other but also FIFA affiliated organisations and teams. Imagine a team of Geordies taking on a Cornish XI, or a team from Lancashire taking on Yorkshire. Sounds interesting, but it's not without issues - political groups such as Alternativa Espanola have suggested that criminal charges be brought on the organisers of such games for treason and disrespecting the Spanish flag !
Here's our list of the best known of the Spanish regional national football teams...
The Basque Country National Football Team (Euskal Selekzioa)
The National team of the Basque Country, they are also known as the Basque XI, Euskal Herria, Euskal Selekzioa, Seleccion de Euskadi, and the Euskadi XI. They first started playing games in 1915 and over the years there main competitor has been the Catalan national team. They've also played teams visiting teams from all over the world and even toured abroad. They usually get together at Christmas time, which is the same for most of the other regional national teams.
It's not just Basque from the Spain who play for them either, Bixente Lizarazu from the French Basque Country has also appeared.
Famous Players:
- Mikel Alonso
- Xabi Alonso
- Rafael Aranzadi (Pichichi)
- Luis Arconada
- Mikel Arteta
- Jose Mari Bakero
- Txiki Beguiristain
- Ivan Campo
- Joseba Etxeberria
- Andoni Goikoetxea (the Butcher of Bilbao)
- Julen Guerrero
- Asier del Horno
- Inigo Idiakez
- Bixente Lizarazu
- Gaizka Mendieta
- Julio Salinas
- Lopez Ufarte
- Ismael Urzaiz
- Andoni Zubizarreta
The Catalonia National Football Team (Seleccio Catalana)
The National team of Catalonia, they are also known as the Catalan XI and Seleccio Catalana.
They first started in the early 1900's and have since played nearly 200 games against various other regional, national and club teams. The majority of home games are played at Barcelona's Camp Nou.
They usually get together at Christmas time, which is the same for most of the other regional national teams.
Famous Players:
- Albert Celades
- Johan Cruyff
- Jordi Cruyff
- Cesc Fabregas
- Albert Ferrer
- Luis Garcia
- Josep Guardiola
- Iniesta
- Ladislao Kubala
- Johan Neeskens
- Carles Puyol
- Pepe Reina
- Alfredo Di Stefano
- Hristo Stoitchkov
- Raul Tamudo
- Xavi
The Galacia National Football Team
The National team of Galacia in the north west of Spain. They first played a game in 1922 but then had a long gap from the 30's to the 70's because of the Civil War.
Famous Players:
- Ricardo Cabanas
- Michel Salgado
