Quote:
Originally Posted by ukhotstove
Bixente Lizarazu - Born Saint Jean de Luz, France. Played 1996-97.
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For the sake of accuracy I must point out that Lizarazu is in fact a Northern Basque. This is another of those misconceptions caused by modern geography akin to the Catalans question that has endlessly cropped up since the French team joined the league. For some reason when people hear Catalonia or Basque they think Spain whereas in reality the territories cross into France.
Regarding the two other players you quote, they both fit within the confines of Basque as FIFA would define it if the club was indeed the Basque national team. Iturriaga’s entire family are Basque and he was only born in Mexico as his father was working overseas. The keeper had no connection, but grew up in the Basque territory thus qualifying on residency grounds.
Anyway that has killed the few minutes and I now depart for our FA Cup party in Gillingham. Given our injury list I’m now fearing a humiliation, but hopefully we’ll keep it down to a three goal margin at worst. A lot depends on our great keeper, Andy Walker. He is a fantastic shot stopper who got us promoted two years ago virtually single handed. This year he hasn’t been called upon much but if we are to pull off the shock this afternoon we need him to come up big. Anyway given we are playing one of the bigger clubs in the competition at this stage hopefully we’ll get a minute or two on Match of the Day tonight.
Daft what sport does to us... I’m an aging bloke but this morning I woke up like a kid at Christmas.