The Basque Country representative team is set to host Venezuela in a friendly at San Mames in Bilbao on November 14. It will be Euskal Selekzioa's first outing since beating Palestine 3-0 on November 15 last year.
Fixture confirmed for Bilbao
The Basque Football Federation, led by president Xabier Goni, confirmed that Euskal Selekzioa will face Venezuela at Athletic's stadium on Saturday, November 14. The match is staged during an official FIFA window, and the hosts will gather at Lezama on November 13.
Selection options for the hosts
The hosts can call upon La Liga players from Athletic, Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Alaves not selected by Spain. SD Eibar players are unavailable because the Segunda Division schedule continues through the break.
Anniversary setting and past meetings
GOAL says the fixture commemorates the 90th anniversary of the first autonomous Basque Government established under President Jose Antonio Aguirre in 1936, and the Basque Football Federation said the event is part of that anniversary programme. GOAL says the November 14 match will be the fourth meeting between the two sides, with the Basque Country side having won the previous three meetings with Venezuela: 4-3 away in San Cristobal in June 2007, 3-1 at the old San Mames in December 2010 and 4-2 at Mendizorrotza in October 2018.
Federation statement and Venezuela squad notes
Highlighting the wider significance behind the fixture in an official statement, the Basque Football Federation said: "Beyond its sporting dimension, the event, which is part of the program of events for the 90th anniversary of the first Basque Government, aspires to be a celebration of the relations between two societies united by a long history of exchanges, migrations, welcoming and cultural links." Outlining the broader ambition for the upcoming occasion in Bilbao, the Basque Federation added: "This new match aims to bring together different generations around football and show how Euskal Selekzioa can also serve as a meeting place between peoples." GOAL says Venezuela holds deep historical ties to the region having welcomed thousands of political exiles fleeing Francisco Franco's dictatorship. GOAL says visiting boss Oswaldo Vizcarrondo will look to midfielder Yangel Herrera and Sociedad right-back Jon Mikel Aramburu.