Catalonia national football team

Catalonia
Nickname(s) La Selecció (The Selection),
La Segadora (The Reaper)
Association Catalan Football Federation
Confederation None
Head coach Gerard López
Captain Sergio García
Most caps Sergio González (15)
Top scorer Sergio García (8)
Home stadium Camp Nou
First colours
Second colours
Elo ranking
Current 14 (10 June 2016)
Highest 7 (December 2010)
First international
France France 7–0 Catalonia Catalonia
(Paris, France; February 21, 1912)
Biggest win
Catalonia Catalonia 5–0 Lithuania Lithuania
(Barcelona, Spain; 22 December 2000)
Catalonia Catalonia 5–0 Nigeria Nigeria
(Barcelona, Spain; 22 December 1998)
Biggest defeat
France France 7–0 Catalonia Catalonia
(Paris, France; February 21, 1912)
Spain Spain 7–0 Catalonia Catalonia
(Les Corts, Spain; March 13, 1924)

The Catalonia national football team is the official football team of the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia. It is organised by the Catalan Football Federation. The team has been referred to by various names including Selecció Catalana, Selecció de Barcelona and the Catalan XI.

Catalonia is not affiliated with either FIFA or UEFA and is therefore not allowed to participate in either the FIFA World Cup or the European Championship. Catalan players are full Spanish citizens who are eligible to play for Spain.

Since 1904, the team has played nearly 200 games against various national, regional and club teams.[1] International friendly games have been played more regularly since 1997. Among the teams they have played are Nigeria, Brazil and Argentina. Recent friendly games include a 4–2 win over Argentina at Camp Nou in December 2009,[2] and a 4–0 win over Honduras in December 2010.

History

First games

Catalonia national football team made their debut in 1904. 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.[3] The first recorded game between the two teams took place on 3 January 1915 at San Mamés Stadium; the Catalan XI lost 6–1.[4]

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 XI 8–5 over two games. They then retained the trophy in 1917 after beating 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 internationals 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 Ricardo Zamora, two of the best Catalan players of the era, while the Catalan XI featured Paulino 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, dictator 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 Jesús María 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 and guest Netherlands players Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens. 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 national team has regularly played international friendly matches. They subsequently put together a string of successful results against great economic 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.[5][5]

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.[6]

On 30 December 2011, Catalonia played Tunisia in a goalless draw at the Lluís Companys.[7]

In their last game under Cruyff, on 2 January 2013, Catalonia drew with Nigeria at the Cornellà-El Prat, 1–1.[8]

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.[9]

Match history

Date Venue Home Team Visitor Score
Dec. 26 2015 Camp Nou, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia  Basque Country 0–1
Dec. 28 2014 San Mamés, Bilbao Basque Country Catalonia Catalonia 1–1
Dec. 30 2013 Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia  Cape Verde 4–1
Jan. 2 2013 Cornellà-El Prat, Cornellà de Llobregat Catalonia Catalonia  Nigeria 1–1
Dec. 30 2011 Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Tunisia 0–0
Dec. 28 2010 Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Honduras 4–0
Dec. 22 2009 Camp Nou, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Argentina 4–2
Dec. 28 2008 Camp Nou, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Colombia 2–1
May 24, 2008 Camp Nou, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Argentina 0–1
Dec. 29 2007 San Mamés, Bilbao  Basque Country Catalonia Catalonia1–1
Oct. 8 2006 Camp Nou, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia  Basque Country 2–2
May 24, 2006Olímpic de Terrassa, Terrassa Catalonia Catalonia Costa Rica2–0
Dec. 28 2005Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia CataloniaParaguay Paraguay 1–1
Dec. 29 2004Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Argentina0–3
May 25, 2004Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Brazil2–5
Dec. 28 2003Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Ecuador4–0
Dec. 28 2002Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia China PR2–0
May 18, 2002Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Brazil1–3
Dec. 28 2001Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Chile1–0
Dec. 22 2000Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Lithuania5–0
Dec. 23 1999Olímpic Lluís Companys, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Yugoslavia1–0
Dec. 22 1998Olímpic Lluís Companys, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Nigeria5–0
Dec. 23 1997Olímpic Lluís Companys, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Bulgaria1–1
Apr. 24 1993 [10]Olímpic Lluís Companys, BarcelonaCatalonia CataloniaThe Best Foreign footballers in La Liga4–4
June 6, 1976Camp Nou, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Soviet Union1–1
Feb. 21 1971San Mamés, Bilbao Basque CountryCatalonia Catalonia1–2
Aug. 9 1953 Galileu, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Spain0–6
Oct. 19 1947 Sarrià, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Spain3–1
June 24, 1934Vista Alegre, GironaCatalonia Catalonia Brazil2–2
June 17, 1934Les Corts, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Brazil2–1
Feb. 2 1934Les Corts, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Spain0–2
Jan. 1 1931San Mamés, Bilbao Basque CountryCatalonia Catalonia3–2
June 8, 1930Montjuïc, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Basque Country0–1
July 7, 1926Sparta, Prague CzechoslovakiaCatalonia Catalonia2–1
Dec. 13 1925Sarrià, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Czechoslovakia2–1
Mar. 13 1924Les Corts, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Spain0–7
Apr. 4 1921 Camp de la Indústria, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Provence 1–0
Apr. 3 1921 Camp de la Indústria, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Provence 4–0
June 4, 1916San Mamés, Bilbao Basque CountryCatalonia Catalonia5–0
May 22, 1916Camp de la Indústria, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Basque Country0–0
May 21, 1916Camp de la Indústria, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia Basque Country1–3
May 13, 1915Athletic, Madrid Basque CountryCatalonia Catalonia1–0
Feb. 7 1915Camp de la Indústria, Barcelona Catalonia Catalonia Basque Country2–2
Jan. 3 1915San Mamés, Bilbao  Basque CountryCatalonia Catalonia6–1
Dec. 1 1912Camp de la Indústria, BarcelonaCatalonia Catalonia France1–0
Feb. 20 1912Colombes, Paris FranceCatalonia Catalonia7–0

Results and fixtures

Current squad

The following players were called up for the match against the Basque Country on 26 December 2015.

0#0 Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Jordi Masip (1989-01-03) 3 January 1989 2 0 Spain Barcelona
13 1GK Pau López (1994-12-13) 13 December 1994 1 0 England Tottenham
2 2DF Martín Montoya (1991-04-14) 14 April 1991 5 0 Spain Valencia
3 2DF Gerard Piqué (1987-02-02) 2 February 1987 9 0 Spain Barcelona
4 2DF Dídac Vilà (1989-06-09) 9 June 1989 2 0 Greece AEK Athens
12 2DF Alberto de la Bella (1985-12-02) 2 December 1985 3 0 Greece Olympiacos
15 2DF Marc Bartra (1991-01-15) 15 January 1991 5 0 Germany Borussia Dortmund
18 2DF Jordi Alba (1989-03-21) 21 March 1989 5 0 Spain Barcelona
22 2DF Aleix Vidal (1989-08-21) 21 August 1989 3 0 Spain Barcelona
5 3MF Sergio Busquets (1988-07-16) 16 July 1988 8 0 Spain Barcelona
6 3MF Joan Verdú (1983-05-05) 5 May 1983 10 2 Unnatached
8 3MF Javi Márquez (1986-05-11) 11 May 1986 2 0 Spain Granada
10 3MF Piti (1981-05-26) 26 May 1981 6 1 Spain Rayo Vallecano
11 3MF Víctor Álvarez (1993-03-14) 14 March 1993 3 0 Spain Espanyol
16 3MF Víctor Rodríguez (1989-07-23) 23 July 1989 1 0 Spain Sporting Gijón
19 3MF David López (1989-10-09) 9 October 1989 1 0 Spain Espanyol
20 3MF Sergi Roberto (1992-08-21) 21 August 1992 5 0 Spain Barcelona
21 3MF Joan Jordán (1994-07-06) 6 July 1994 1 0 Spain Valladolid
7 4FW Álvaro Vázquez (1991-04-27) 27 April 1991 5 0 Spain Espanyol
9 4FW Sergio García (1983-06-09) 9 June 1983 13 8 Qatar Al Rayyan
14 4FW Keita Baldé (1995-03-08) 8 March 1995 1 0 Italy Lazio
17 4FW Gerard (1992-04-07) 7 April 1992 2 0 Spain Espanyol

Recent callups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last two years.

0#0 Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Víctor Valdés (1982-01-14) 14 January 1982 12 0 England Middlesbrough
1GK Kiko Casilla (1986-01-02) 2 January 1986 5 0 Spain Real Madrid
1GK Jordi Codina (1982-04-27) 27 April 1982 4 0 Spain Reus Deportiu
2DF Andreu Fontàs (1989-11-14) 14 November 1989 3 0 Spain Celta
2DF Jordi Amat (1992-03-21) 21 March 1992 2 0 Wales Swansea City
2DF Raúl Rodríguez (1987-09-22) 22 September 1987 1 0 United States Houston Dynamo
2DF Marc Muniesa (1992-03-27) 27 March 1992 1 0 England Stoke City
2DF Sergio Juste (1992-01-12) 12 January 1992 1 0 Spain L'Hospitalet
2DF Marc Valiente (1987-03-20) 20 March 1987 1 0 Israel Maccabi Haifa
2DF Sergi Gómez (1992-03-28) 28 March 1992 1 0 Spain Celta
3MF Xavi Hernández (1980-01-25) 25 January 1980 11 2 Qatar Al Sadd
3MF Cesc Fàbregas (1987-05-04) 4 May 1987 3 0 England Chelsea
3MF Víctor Sánchez (1987-09-08) 8 September 1987 3 0 Spain Espanyol
3MF Sergio Tejera (1990-05-28) 28 May 1990 1 0 Spain Gimnàstic
3MF Jordi Xumetra (1985-10-24) 24 October 1985 1 0 Spain Zaragoza
3MF Oriol Rosell (1992-07-07) 7 July 1992 1 0 Portugal Os Belenenses
3MF Sergi Samper (1995-01-20) 20 January 1995 1 0 Spain Granada
4FW Ferran Corominas (1983-01-05) 5 January 1983 8 1 Unnatached
4FW Bojan Krkić (1990-08-20) 20 August 1990 7 6 England Stoke City
4FW Jonathan Soriano (1985-11-24) 24 November 1985 5 1 Austria Red Bull Salzburg
4FW Cristian Tello (1991-08-11) 11 August 1991 2 0 Italy Fiorentina
3MF Isaac Cuenca (1991-04-27) 27 April 1991 1 0 Spain Granada
3MF Gerard Deulofeu (1994-03-13) 13 March 1994 1 0 England Everton
4FW Oriol Riera (1986-07-03) 3 July 1986 1 1 Spain Osasuna

Notable players

Catalan-born players

Guest players

Because Catalonia is not a member of either UEFA or FIFA due to it being a region of Spain, obvious eligibility rules based on birthplace do not apply. As a result of unofficial friendly team, a number of players who were not born in Catalonia have guested for the Catalan XI. With the notable exception of Alfredo Di Stéfano, most were playing for Barcelona at the time. Notice that some players, as Andrés Iniesta, Jordi Cruyff or Lionel Messi had lived most of their lives (and childhood) in Catalonia. Some others, as Sagibarba or Paulino Alcántara had Catalan ancestors (for example: Alcántara was the son of a Catalan military officer in the Spanish Philippines and moved to Barcelona after the Spanish–American War as a child).

Selected coaches

Honours

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ esportcatala.com Archived September 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ "4–2: Catalunya suma un triunfo de prestigio frente a Argentina" (in Spanish). El Mundo Deportivo. 22 December 2009.
  3. ↑ fcbarcelona.com Archived November 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ↑ "Vasconia-Cataluña" (PDF). Mundo Deportivo, 4/1/1915. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Cruyff will coach Catalonia team". BBC News. 2 November 2009.
  6. ↑ "Catalonia defeats Honduras". La Prensa.hn (Honduran national newspaper). 29/12/2010.
  7. ↑ "Catalonia draws with Tunisia". El Periódico de Catalunya (Catalionian newspaper) 31/12/2011.
  8. ↑ "Catalunya empata con Nigeria en la despedida de Cruyff.". ElPeriodico.com. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  9. ↑ "Catalunya jugará contra Cabo Verde el 30 de diciembre". Lavanguardia.com. 15 November 2013.
  10. ↑ Report: Homage to Kubala (1993)

External links

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