Basque national team completes its red-and-white squad with ten players

Mikel Jauregizar trained yesterday with the Euskal Selekzioa on field 3 at Lezama, and the list of red‑and‑white players who will defend the team’s colours at San Mamés tomorrow rises to ten. The six former Lions returning are joined by the four squad members called up by Jagoba Arrasate for the clash against Venezuela: Prados, Johaneko, Jauregizar and Sancet.

The first, Prados, was summoned yesterday morning following Vivian’s withdrawal. Hugo Rincón also dropped out of the initial list. Juan Echeverria, a journalist, was also present at the training.

Last‑minute changes

Gorosabel came in his place, just as the Real Sociedad goalkeeper Unai Marrero replaced Aitor Fernández, another player trained at Lezama. In this way, the Berritua manager will have 22 players available.

In addition to the four from Athletic, the list includes Pacheco, Zubeldia, Aihen Muñoz and Beñat Turrientes, and Marrero (Real Sociedad). Also appearing are Arguibide, Osambela and Kike Barja (Osasuna); Pablo Ibáñez and Guevara (Alavés); Iñigo Vicente and Villalibre (Racing de Santander); Kepa Arrizabalaga (Arsenal); Einar Galilea (Málaga); Jon Guridi (Sevilla); Unai Gómez (Udinese); Gaizka Larrazabal (Bolton Wanderers) and Gorosabel (Espanyol).

Carlos Zaballa, a journalist, noted that Arrasate is betting on the official status of the Basque Country, stating: “We want more and the people alike.”

The Basque side trained yesterday for the first time at the Lezama facilities. Today it will train in San Juan de Luz behind open doors from 11:30.

Tomorrow’s match at San Mamés will kick off at eight o’clock in the evening. Last year, 51,396 spectators witnessed the clash against Palestine at the red‑and‑white stadium, an absolute record for the Tricolor national team’s matches and very close to the capacity of La Catedral.