The Basque Country has been home to some of the most prominent players in the history of Spanish football. Bettor.com takes a look at its landscape of the beautiful sport.
Basque Country or Basque Autonomous Community is a separate community in the North of Spain. Ever since it was given a separate nationality, the area has had great pride attached to it, particularly by its natives.
It consists of three provinces, which are Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa. These provinces are also called Historical Territories.
The region has its own football team which competes on the national level. The name of the side is Basque Country football team (officially, in Basque, Euskal Herriko futbol selekzioa). It consists of players hailing from the Basque region of the Iberian
Peninsula.
The area also homes a number of football clubs which represent the different provinces and cities.
The most prominent football club in the region is Athletic Bilbao, a club which competes in the Spanish La Liga.
Founded in 1898, Athletic Bilbao is one of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Athletic-Club-c38535. Boasting a fitting reputation, the club has achieved success in a number of tournaments. Bilbao have a total of 8 La Liga triumphs to their
name, along with 23 Copa del Rey titles. They play their home games at the San Mames.
Nicknamed as Los Leones, the side is the most exclusive football club in the world. The reason for this is that football players belonging only to the Basque country are allowed to represent Athletic. Although a Basque player can be sold to other teams,
a player from another team cannot become a part of the squad, unless he is a native of the Basque region.
This policy is known as the cantera policy, and is one of the most strictly followed codes all over the Iberian Peninsula. The officials at the club abide by the saying: “Con cantera y aficion, no hace falta importacion”. It translates as: "With home-grown
talent and local support, you don't need foreigners."
“The Lions” are rated at the fourth place in the historical classification of La Liga in terms of titles and success. They are among the only three Spanish football sides which have never been relegated from the Spanish Primera Division. The other two teams
are Real Madrid and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604.
Considering the fact that such repute has been upheld by the club with only their home-grown players, one is surely fascinated. While other teams strive to make big signings and bringing in new talent, the Leones only believe in promoting their own youth.
Despite experiencing troubling times over the past years, the side has managed to become a team which can never be underestimated. Last season saw the San Mames outfit reach the final of the Copa del Rey and the Europa League.
Although Bilbao could not secure the silverware in either of the competitions, it was surely a sign of great things to come.
The future of the club surely looks bright as players like http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelo-c23554 Bielsa; they have shown a hunger
for trophies which may lead them to excel in the foreseeable future.
However, it is important to note a number of important things: The Lions are fundamentalists in many ways and only contracted their first sponsorship deal in 2008 after refusing the ideal for over 80 years.
Albeit, the impression that is usually left on one's mind is that they are unbending, prejudiced and biased in their refusals to clinch non-Basque talents but one still can’t help but be amazed by their school of thought.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect the editorial policies of www.bettor.com
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