Euskadi Hosts a Moving Solidarity Match for Palestine at San Mamés
Euskadi hosted Palestine in a historic match at San Mamés, blending football with a powerful message of solidarity and advocacy for Palestinian rights in front of over 51,000 fans.
- • Euskadi defeated Palestine 3-0 in a solidarity match attended by 51,396 fans.
- • A minute of silence honored over 1,300 Palestinian athletes lost to conflict.
- • Players from both teams displayed banners calling to stop genocide and promote peace.
- • The match emphasized football as a vehicle for advocacy and community unity.
Key details
The San Mamés stadium in Bilbao became a powerful arena of solidarity on November 15, 2025, as Euskadi hosted Palestine in a football match that transcended sport to advocate for peace and justice. Attendance reached 51,396 fans, who united in a vibrant, emotional atmosphere demonstrating strong support for Palestine.
Euskadi secured a 3-0 victory over Palestine, with early goals from Unai Elgezabal and Guruzeta (the latter converted from a penalty following a foul on Hugo Rincón), and a final goal by Urko Izeta, who shined in the second half. Despite the match's outcome, the event's focus was the humanitarian message rather than the competition.
The match opened with a poignant minute of silence for over 1,300 Palestinian elite athletes, including 894 Olympians, who have lost their lives due to ongoing conflict. Both teams posed together with banners advocating an end to genocide, and the Palestinian squad displayed "Stop Genocide" and "Thank you, Basque Country" banners, highlighting shared values and solidarity. Fans filled the stadium early, chanting "Palestina Askatu" and displaying banners supporting peace and justice.
Palestinian coach Ehab Adu Jazar emphasized football's role in telling their story amidst violence, while the event underscored sport's capacity to unite communities and raise awareness of social injustice.
This historic match at San Mamés left a lasting impression as a memorable occasion combining athletic excellence with meaningful advocacy and remembrance.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.