Palestine wins victory in San Mamés with cry against genocide: “Thank you, Basque Country”

The match between Euskal Seleccioa and the Palestinian team was held at San Mamés Stadium, which was filled with Ikrinha and Palestinian flags, making it a historic match for both teams. One reason was that we had a good crowd, and the other reason was that it was our first match in Europe, where we will play the Basque team this Saturday and the Catalan team a few days later on Tuesday. Before the start, attendees created a giant mosaic of two flags and both teams’ national anthems were played. A moment of silence was also observed for those killed at the hands of Israeli forces. After a minute’s silence, the cathedral erupted into thunderous applause and chants of “Askatu, Palestine”.

The first goal came just four minutes into the match. Unai Elguezabal, who plays for Levante, won 1-0 against the Basque team. “Ez gaitu inork geldituko” (“No one will stop us”) The stands sang Wurz’s mythical song with leading excitement, but without forgetting the reason for the match: solidarity with Palestine.

In this way, pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel chants and applause for the players in red were added every time they approached the opponent’s goal. At the same time, smoke bombs continued to be lit throughout the match from the stands where sports entertainment organizations such as Iñigo Cavacas Heli Harmayra, Brzada, Indar Gori, Indar Baskonia and Ilotsa were located. And in the 30th minute, one of them was thrown onto the field, and the game had to be stopped for a few minutes, as the players were seen approaching the still-lit smoke bomb. The game resumed as normal soon after, but it took some time for the smoke from smoke bombs and several firecrackers on the field to dissipate. Members of the public also threw paper airplanes onto the field, making it difficult for the soccer players to play.

Around the 40th minute, a penalty was awarded in favor of the Basque team, resulting in the second goal. In this case, it was at the hands of Athletic Club forward Gorka Grzeta, and the first half ended with a score of 2-0.

During the break, they paid tribute to the players who have been with Euskal Selexioa since it was officially recognized as a full member of the Federation of Nations last December. This admission means that from now on, Euskadi will be nothing more than a chosen one, at least until the appeal filed by the Spanish Pelota Federation before CAS (Switzerland) is resolved.

Around the 77th minute, the Basque team’s third goal was scored by Athletic Club’s Izeta forward Urko Irretagoyena. Minutes earlier, more than 51,000 people sitting in the stands turned on their cellphone flashlights and chanted “Palestine Askatu” as thousands of lights shone across San Mamés Stadium.

“After the game, please remain in your seats to pay your respects to the Palestinian team and support the official status of the Basque team,” an announcement in Basque and Arabic said over the San Mamés speakers. After the final whistle, the score mattered less than the banner the Palestinian players proudly held up that read, “Thank you Basque Country,” but they hugged and the crowd chanted “Palestine Askatu” and sang the poem “Hegok ebaki banischio nerea izango zen, ez zuen alde egingo. Baynan, honora ez zen gehiago.” “txoria izango eta ni txoria nuen maite”, from the hymn to freedom, the song of Choria Chori.