Palestine plays first-ever European match, honored with solidarity in Bilbao
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The Palestinian national football team marked a historic milestone by playing their first-ever match on European soil, facing the Basque Country in Bilbao on Saturday. The friendly match carried deep humanitarian and political significance, far beyond the final score.
Before kickoff, Basque players entered the field with children, while the Palestinian team carried white roses to honor the Palestinian children who never lived to see this day. The ceremony highlighted the broader emotional and symbolic meaning of the event.
Read more: Bilbao rally backs Palestine ahead of Basque–Palestine match
Despite a 3-0 loss to the Basque side at San Mamés Stadium, the match transcended sport. The game formed part of large-scale solidarity efforts in support of the Palestinian cause and in opposition to 'Israeli' violence in Gaza. Palestinian players received a warm welcome upon arrival earlier in the week, with thousands of Basque fans greeting the team and showing public support.
Local clubs and sports organizations emphasized that hosting the match was a clear gesture of support for Palestinian rights, while pre-match demonstrations in Bilbao called for an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Palestine will continue its solidarity tour in Spain, heading to Barcelona to face the Catalonia team at Montjuïc Stadium next Tuesday. Pep Guardiola, the Spanish manager and former Barcelona star, has personally invited Barcelona fans to attend the friendly, framing it as a global message of support for Palestine.
While the loss may have been disappointing on the scoreboard for some, these friendly matches offer valuable experience for the Palestinian team ahead of upcoming official competitions, and provide an international platform to raise awareness about their story.
