Basque Country to Face Venezuela at San Mames on November 14

Euskal Selekzioa will return to action against Venezuela at Athletic Club’s stadium on Saturday, November 14, the Basque Football Federation has confirmed.

The Bilbao match will be the representative team’s first since its 3-0 win over Palestine on November 15 last year, when a record 51,396 spectators attended. Jagoba Arrasate’s side scored through Unai Elgezabal, Gorka Guruzeta and Urko Izeta in that victory.

The Venezuela fixture forms part of events marking 90 years since the creation of the first autonomous Basque Government under Jose Antonio Aguirre in 1936. Aguirre later established the Euzkadi team in 1937, sending it on tours across Europe and the Americas during the Spanish Civil War.

Venezuela’s selection carries added significance because the country received thousands of political exiles from the Basque Country and elsewhere in Spain during Francisco Franco’s dictatorship. The federation said the occasion is intended to celebrate the longstanding links between the two communities, including migration, hospitality and cultural exchange.

Basque side chase fourth straight Venezuela win

The hosts have won all three previous meetings with Venezuela. They prevailed 4-3 in San Cristobal in June 2007, beat the visitors 3-1 at the former San Mames in December 2010, and recorded a 4-2 victory at Mendizorrotza in October 2018.

The federation also said it wants the November game to unite generations through football and underline the role Euskal Selekzioa can play in bringing different peoples together.

The match falls within a FIFA international window, with the Basque squad due to meet at Lezama on November 13. Players from Athletic, Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Alaves who are not called up by Spain can be selected, while SD Eibar players will not be released because Segunda Division fixtures continue during the break.

Venezuela coach Oswaldo Vizcarrondo is expected to have midfielder Yangel Herrera and Real Sociedad right-back Jon Mikel Aramburu available for the trip to Bilbao.