The Media and the Construction of National Identities in Basque Football: Basques and Catalans Booing the Spanish Anthem in the 2009 Cup Championship Final.

The Basque Country, which is situated between Spain and France, is a culturally and politically rich country where three different national projects are being constructed by the mass media, using the passion generated by football. This competition clearly reveals the three opposing nations that cohabit in this small country. Furthermore, football in the Basque Country has shown that the mass media with their nationalist discourses, despite being a key actor, do not always obtain the reactions that are sought from citizens. The 2009 Spanish Cup Final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao provided a good example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]