Catalonia national football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Catalonia
Shirt badge/Association crest
AssociationCatalan Football Federation (Federació Catalana de Futbol)
ConfederationNone
Head coachSergio González
CaptainSergio García
Most capsSergio García (16)[1]
Top scorerSergio García (9)
Home stadiumCamp Nou
FIFA codeCAT
First colours
Second colours
First international
France 7–0 Catalonia
(Paris, France; 21 February 1912)
Biggest win
Catalonia 5–0 Lithuania 
(Barcelona, Spain; 22 December 2000)
Catalonia 5–0 Nigeria 
(Barcelona, Spain; 22 December 1998)
Biggest defeat
 Spain 7–0 Catalonia
(Barcelona, Spain; 13 March 1924)
 France 7–0 Catalonia
(Paris, France; 21 February 1912)

The Catalonia national football team (Catalan: Selecció de futbol de Catalunya) is the official football team of Catalonia. It is organised by the Catalan Football Federation, founded in 1900. The team has been referred to by various names including Selecció Catalana, Selecció de Barcelona and the Catalan XI.

As the Catalan Federation is affiliated to the Royal Spanish Football Federation as one of the several Spanish regional football federations Catalonia can't be affiliated with either FIFA or UEFA as a national member association and is therefore not allowed to participate in official competitions for national teams such as the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship. Other than in certain cases where other nationalities are involved, Catalan players are full Spanish citizens who are eligible to play for Spain, and often do.[2]

Since 1904, the team has played nearly 200 games against various national, regional and club teams.[3] International friendly games have been played more regularly since 1997. Among the teams they have played are Nigeria, Brazil, and Argentina.

History[]

First games[]

The Catalonia team made their debut in 1905 Initially they played against various club teams such as Club Espanyol, Madrid CF, FC Barcelona and Irún Sporting Club. On 2 February 1912, they made their international friendly debut against France, losing 7–0 in Paris. The team was: Reñé, Irízar, Amecharruza, Alemany, Peris, Armet, Forns, Rodríguez, Comamala, Morales and Ramiro. On 1 December 1912, the two teams met again in Barcelona and this time the Catalans won 1–0. In 1914, the Catalan XI played the Basque Country XI for the first time, but there is no record of the result.[4] The first recorded game between the two teams took place on 3 January 1915 at San Mamés Stadium; the Catalan XI lost 6–1.[5]

Copa Príncep d'Astúries[]

Between 1915 and 1926, the Catalan XI competed in an inter-regional competition. They finished as runners-up in 1915 and won the Copa Príncep d'Astúries for the first time in 1916, beating a Castile/Madrid XI 8–5 over two games. They then relinquished the trophy in 1917 after losing to the Castile XI 2–0. During the 1920s, a team featuring Josep Samitier, Paulino Alcántara, Sagibarba and Ricardo Zamora helped the Catalan XI win the competition in 1922, 1924 and 1926. The last competition in 1926 was a play-off between the two teams who had won the competition the most. The Catalans beat an Asturias XI 6–3 over two games.

As well as playing other regional teams from throughout Spain and Europe, the 1920s also saw the Catalan XI play several international friendly matches. On 13 March 1924, at the Camp de Les Corts, the Catalan XI played Spain for the first time. The Spain XI included Josep Samitier and Zamora, two of the best Catalan players of the era, while the Catalan XI featured Alcántara and Sagibarba. Samiter scored twice as the Spain XI won 7–0. On 13 December 1925, Samitier, Zamora, Alcántara and Sagibarba were on the same side as the Catalan XI beat Czechoslovakia at the Estadi de Sarrià. After conceding a penalty and going down 1–0, Sagibarba then equalised with another penalty before Samitier clinched a 2–1 win. On 7 July 1926, the Catalan XI played Czechoslovakia in Prague. Despite Samitier putting the Catalans 1–0 ahead, they eventually lost 2–1.

Catalonia vs. Brazil[]

During the 1930s, Catalonia continued playing friendly games against an array of teams; 1934 was a particularly good year. On 2 February, they played Spain and lost 2–0 at Les Corts. Four months later, they played Brazil twice. On 17 June, the Catalan XI beat Brazil 2–1 at Les Corts and then on 24 June, they held them to a 2–2 draw at the Vista Alegre in Girona. The Brazil team had been in Europe to play in the official 1934 FIFA World Cup and included the legendary Leônidas in their team. The Catalan XI completed a good month when on June 29 they beat the reigning official La Liga champions, Athletic Bilbao, 5–1.

The Franco era[]

After the Spanish Civil War, caudillo Francisco Franco imposed several restrictions on Catalonia, abolishing the Generalitat de Catalunya and banning the official use of the Catalan language and the Catalan flag. Despite these restrictions, the Catalan XI continued to play regularly during this period and even played Spain twice. On 19 October 1947, at the Sarrià and with a team featuring Juan Velasco, Marià Gonzalvo, Joan Segarra and César, they beat Spain 3–1. On 9 August 1953, Spain avenged this defeat with a 6–0 win.

During this era, several notable Barcelona players, including the Spanish players László Kubala, Luis Suárez, Evaristo and later Chus Pereda, played for the Catalan XI. On 26 January 1955, in a friendly game against Bologna at Les Corts, Kubala was also joined by another guest player, Alfredo Di Stéfano. The Catalan XI won 6–2 with two goals from Kubala and one from Di Stéfano. On 1 September 1956, Di Stéfano returned to Les Corts with Real Madrid, recent winners of the first official European Cup, and played a Selecció de Barcelona. Real won the game 7–3.

The Catalan XI marked the end of the Franco era with a friendly game against the Soviet Union at the Camp Nou on 6 June 1976. The team included Carles Rexach, guest Netherlands players Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens, and Chilean international Carlos Caszely who played for Espanyol. The game finished 1–1 with Neeskens scoring for the Catalan XI. Cruyff's son, Jordi, would subsequently play regularly for the Catalan XI.

Democratic era[]

Catalonia vs Basque Country team playing in Camp Nou

Since the restoration of democracy in the 1970s, the Catalonia representative team has regularly played international friendly matches. They put together a string of successful results against countries like Bulgaria, Nigeria, Yugoslavia, Lithuania and Chile. On 5 May 2002, Catalonia hosted Brazil in a warm up friendly game before the official 2002 World Cup. Brazil, who went on to win the official competition, beat Catalonia 3–1. In 2004, Brazil returned for a second friendly game and this time won 5–2 at the Camp Nou, where some months later Argentina defeated Catalonia 3–0. The last friendly matches have been against Paraguay, Costa Rica, Basque Country, Argentina and Colombia.

Johan Cruyff era[]

On 2 November 2009, it was announced that Dutch legend and former Barcelona manager Johan Cruyff would be the new coach of Catalonia.[6] On 22 December 2009, they played a friendly against Argentina, which ended in a Catalonia win, 4–2 at Camp Nou. On 28 December 2010, Catalonia played another friendly against Honduras winning 4–0 at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.[7] On 30 December 2011, Catalonia played Tunisia in a goalless draw at the Lluís Companys.[8] In their last game under Cruyff, on 2 January 2013, Catalonia drew with Nigeria at the Cornellà-El Prat, 1–1.[9]

Post-Cruyff era[]

Former player Gerard was appointed new coach for the Catalan team for two years. His first match with the team took place on 30 December 2013 against Cape Verde at the Olímpic Lluís Companys.[10]

Fixtures and results[]

For all past match results of the national team, see single-season articles, and Catalonia national football team results.

2019[]

25 April Friendly Catalonia  2–1  Venezuela Girona, Catalonia, Spain
21:00 Bojan Goal 53'
Puado Goal 87'		 Report Rosales Goal 58' Stadium: Estadi Montilivi
Attendance: 12,671
Referee: Xavier Estrada Fernández (Spain)

2020[]

30 March Friendly Catalonia  Canceled  Jamaica Lleida, Catalonia, Spain
21:00 [11] Stadium: Camp d'Esports

All-time record[]

As of 25 March 2019

Players[]

Due to the unofficial status of the Catalonia team and others, many of the usual conventions of international football do not apply. Players who have already appeared for a FIFA national team can play for the Catalans in addition, but if they are simultaneously called up for both, the FIFA squad (usually Spain) takes precedence.[2][12] Clubs are also not obligated to release their players, and the request is sometimes refused by clubs outwith the Spanish leagues, or when the fixture takes place during the domestic season and the club has important upcoming fixtures.[13] Eligible players can also choose not to be involved. This means the Catalan squads are frequently below what would be considered their 'full strength', but also means those who do take part are fully committed to the concept, and in many cases would have no other opportunities to experience international football so consider the match to be an important matter. 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. In combination with home advantage for the Catalan team in most of their fixtures, this has led to the results falling in their favour more often than might be expected compared to other nations perceived to have a similar standard of players.[2][12]

Current squad[]

The following players have been called up for the friendly match against  Venezuela, on 25 March 2019.
All caps and goals as of 25 March 2019 after match against  Venezuela.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
13 1GK Édgar Badía (1992-02-12) 12 February 1992 (age 29) 2 0 Spain Elche
1 1GK Isaac Becerra (1988-06-18) 18 June 1988 (age 33) 1 0 Spain Córdoba
3 2DF Gerard Piqué (1987-02-02) 2 February 1987 (age 34) 10 0 Spain Barcelona
5 2DF Marc Bartra (1991-01-15) 15 January 1991 (age 30) 6 0 Spain Betis
2 2DF Martín Montoya (1991-04-14) 14 April 1991 (age 30) 6 0 Spain Betis
11 2DF Aleix Vidal (1989-08-21) 21 August 1989 (age 32) 4 0 Spain Sevilla
12 2DF Dídac Vilà (1989-06-09) 9 June 1989 (age 32) 3 0 Spain Espanyol
20 2DF Marc Muniesa (1992-03-27) 27 March 1992 (age 29) 2 0 Qatar Al-Arabi
17 2DF Marc Cucurella (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 23) 1 0 England Brighton
4 3MF Víctor Sánchez (1987-09-08) 8 September 1987 (age 34) 4 0 Australia Western United
8 3MF Pere Pons (1993-02-20) 20 February 1993 (age 28) 2 0 Spain Alavés
15 3MF Joan Jordán (1994-07-06) 6 July 1994 (age 27) 2 0 Spain Sevilla
6 3MF Álex Granell (1988-08-02) 2 August 1988 (age 33) 1 0 Bolivia Bolívar
18 3MF Oriol Romeu (1991-09-24) 24 September 1991 (age 29) 1 0 England Southampton
21 3MF Aleix García (1997-06-28) 28 June 1997 (age 24) 1 0 Spain Eibar
14 3MF Óscar Melendo (1997-08-23) 23 August 1997 (age 24) 1 0 Spain Espanyol
23 3MF Riqui Puig (1999-08-13) 13 August 1999 (age 22) 1 0 Spain Barcelona
9 4FW Sergio García (Captain) (1983-06-09) 9 June 1983 (age 38) 15 9 Spain Montañesa
10 4FW Bojan (1990-08-20) 20 August 1990 (age 31) 8 7 Japan Vissel Kobe
19 4FW Javi Puado (1998-05-25) 25 May 1998 (age 23) 1 1 Spain Espanyol
22 4FW Pere Milla (1992-09-23) 23 September 1992 (age 28) 1 0 Spain Elche
7 4FW Marc Cardona (1995-07-08) 8 July 1995 (age 26) 1 0 Netherlands Go Ahead Eagles

Recent call-ups[]

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Jordi Masip (1989-01-03) 3 January 1989 (age 32) 3 0 Spain Valladolid v.  Venezuela, 25 March 2019WD[14]
GK Alberto García (1985-02-09) 9 February 1985 (age 36) 0 0 Spain Rayo Vallecano v.  Venezuela, 25 March 2019WD[15]
DF Àlex Moreno (1993-06-08) 8 June 1993 (age 28) 0 0 Spain Betis v.  Venezuela, 25 March 2019WD[15]
MF Rubén Alcaraz (1991-05-01) 1 May 1991 (age 30) 0 0 Spain Valladolid v.  Venezuela, 25 March 2019WD[14]
FW Enric Gallego (1986-09-12) 12 September 1986 (age 35) 0 0 Spain Osasuna v.  Venezuela, 25 March 2019WD
FW Àlex Gallar (1992-03-19) 19 March 1992 (age 29) 0 0 Spain Cartagena v.  Venezuela, 25 March 2019WD
  • WD = Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Notable players[]

  • For a list of recent Catalonia national team players, see here
  • For a list of players from Catalonia who have represented FIFA national teams, see here
  • See also: Category:Catalonia international footballers and Category:Footballers from Catalonia

Guest players[]

See also: Category:Catalonia international guest footballers

Because Catalonia is not a member of either UEFA or FIFA due to it being a region of Spain and plays only in unofficial friendly matches, normal eligibility rules based on birthplace do not apply, and a number of players who were not born in Catalonia and played for other international teams have guested for the Catalan XI, although this is much less frequent in the 21st century. With the notable exception of Alfredo Di Stéfano, most were playing for Barcelona or Espanyol at the time. Some of these players, such as Andrés Iniesta, César Rodríguez, Francisco Bru, Guillermo Amor and Pepe Reina had lived a large part of their lives in Catalonia due to their football careers.

Other countries

Selected coaches[]

  1. Pichi Alonso (1995–2005)
  2. Pere Gratacós (2005–2009)
  3. Johan Cruyff (2009–2013)
  4. Gerard López (2013–2016)
  5. Sergio González (2015–present)

Honours[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Melgar, Blai (25 March 2019). "Sergio García fa història amb la selecció catalana" [Sergio García makes history with the Catalan national team]. El Món (in Catalan). Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Catalonia and Basque Country reignite call for independent national football identities". The Telegraph. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  3. ^ esportcatala.com Archived September 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ fcbarcelona.com Archived November 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Vasconia-Cataluña" (PDF). Mundo Deportivo, 4/1/1915. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Cruyff will coach Catalonia team". BBC News. 2 November 2009.
  7. ^ "Catalonia defeats Honduras". La Prensa.hn (Honduran national newspaper). 29/12/2010.
  8. ^ "Catalonia draws with Tunisia". El Periódico de Catalunya (Catalionian newspaper) 31/12/2011.
  9. ^ "Catalunya empata con Nigeria en la despedida de Cruyff". ElPeriodico.com. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  10. ^ "Catalunya jugará contra Cabo Verde el 30 de diciembre". Lavanguardia.com. 15 November 2013.
  11. ^ "FCF | Catalunya–Jamaica, el 30 de març a Lleida".
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b Matt Davis (13 October 2018). "Basque Country: The Spain internationals playing for a different team". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Spanish clubs refuse to release players for Catalonia-Venezuela friendly". The Local. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b "Alcaraz, Masip y Sergio no acudirán a la llamada de la selección catalana" [Alcaraz, Masip and Sergio will not attend the call of the Catalan national team] (in Spanish). Real Valladolid. 19 March 2019.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b "Alberto García y Álex Moreno no acudirán a la convocatoria de la selección catalana" [Alberto García and Álex Moreno will not attend the call of the Catalan national team] (in Spanish). Rayo Vallecano. 19 March 2019.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""