Picking a Best Current Basque-Catalan La Liga XI
Two fiercely proud regions, the Basque Country and Catalonia, each has its own independent football teams as well as providing the same players to the Spanish national team if needed.
Not yet recognised by FIFA, both football federations have to be content with the occasional friendly game.
This year's edition, played last Sunday, saw both teams face off against each other, and it's fair to say that a combined team of the best players from either side could give anyone a game.
Let's see if you agree with the choices for a best current XI...
Goalkeeper: Gorka Iraizoz
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Gorka Iraizoz could have started this season in the most unbelievable fashion.
A 90th-minute header that flew past Carlos Kameni in the Malaga goal looked to have salvaged a point for Athletic Bilbao in the final minute of the opening La Liga match of this campaign.
It was ruled out, but it's at the right end where this experienced stopper provides his best work.
An unfortunate mistake against Porto in the Champions League aside, Iraizoz has continued to be a safe pair of hands and edges out Espanyol's Kiko Casilla and Barca's Jordi Masip by virtue of his greater experience.
Right-Back: Martin Montoya
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Despite not managing to make any headway to securing a more permanent right-back berth at Barcelona, Martin Montoya remains the most experienced head in the position from those on either side.
He is a consummate and able defender, and there is much to admire about the way in which Montoya plays the game and conducts himself.
If truth be told, he perhaps isn't the right sort of player for Barca's attacking style.
Still only 23 years of age, however, the best years of Montoya's footballing career are yet to come.
Left-Back: Jordi Alba
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There aren't too many better attacking left-backs in European football and certainly none better in this team.
Pace to burn, an engine that allows him to be as effective in the final minute as he was in the first and a timing in the tackle that is second to none, Jordi Alba has it all.
After a blip in the early part of the season where he was found wanting, especially in the Champions League tie at Paris Saint-Germain, Alba has recovered sufficiently to be considered first choice in the position again.
A real threat as a supplementary attacker, his wanderlust can be perfectly catered for by the other defenders in this side.
Centre-Back 1: Inigo Martinez
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A real braveheart centre-back to complement the other ball-player alongside him, Inigo Martinez is the type of defender that any team would want at the heart of the back line.
Great aerially despite his small stature, Martinez is fearless when it comes to defending Real Sociedad's honour.
He is the type of player with whom every supporter identifies because he will always give 100 percent, no matter the importance of the fixture.
Martinez has enjoyed a new lease of life since David Moyes took over in San Sebastian in November and continues to impress.
Centre-Back 2:
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Gerard Pique has endured the toughest of seasons at Barcelona.
A mixture of poor form and poor attitude saw a disruption to his tenure in Barca's back line during the early part of the campaign.
Fortunately for fans of Barca and Catalan football generally, Pique appears to have turned the corner and is beginning to regularly turn in the kind of performances for which he is renowned.
When he is on his game, there is still none finer in the position: a complete modern-day centre-back.
Defensive Midfielder: Sergio Busquets
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Ander Iturraspe could have a decent claim to anchor this midfield, but even he would have to agree that there aren't too many finer defensive midfielders than Sergio Busquets, if indeed there are any at all.
The saying "simplicity is genius" perfectly applies to the way in which Busquets plays the game.
Willing to put his foot in when necessary, there is nothing fancy about "Busi" and he always goes looking for the simplest of passes.
It might not be pleasing on the eye, but ask anyone who plays alongside him how important a role he plays and the answer would be unequivocal.
An exceptional exponent of a fine art.
Attacking Midfielder 1: Xavi Hernandez
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He might be knocking on a bit now, but there is still no finer passer in world football than Xavi Hernandez.
A sign of his true quality is how much a game is changed by his presence.
Coming on as a sub for Barca, the pace is immediately dictated by the genius midfielder, with virtually every move going via Xavi at some point.
Pace was never his strong point so the fact he's lost a yard doesn't matter. An exceptional football brain is what elevates Xavi above his contemporaries.
Attacking Midfielder 2: Xabi Prieto
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Whilst Xabi Prieto's inclusion would give this team's midfield an ageing look, like Xavi Hernandez, there's no substitute for quality and experience.
He remains one of the best passers at Sociedad and, at 31 years old, still has a good few years at the top level ahead of him yet.
Three goals in the Europa League and five assists in La Liga already this season, per WhoScored.com, are evidence of his importance to David Moyes and also to this side.
Man-of-the-match against Real Madrid earlier in the season with two assists and another against Atletico Madrid show that this one-club man can still do it against the very best.
Centre Forward: Jonathan Soriano
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Much has been made of Cristiano Ronaldo's epic 61 goals in a calendar year during 2014.
What's gone under the radar is that he has been outscored.
Ex-Barca youngster and now Red Bull Salzburg hot-shot Jonathan Soriano has more goals this year than the Portuguese.
Brian Marjoribanks of the Daily Mail noted the totals back at the end of November and it made for incredible reading.
Soriano is as natural an attacking talent as they come, and it's a wonder why, on current form, that some of Europe's bigger sides haven't come calling.
Winger 1: Gerard Deulofeu
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After posing in the new Barcelona kit alongside another returning loanee, Rafinha Alcantara, at the start of the season, Gerard Deulofeu must have finally thought the time had come when he could make his mark at the club he had been at since nine years of age.
Perhaps he underestimated Luis Enrique's professionalism and Deulofeu's insouciance was probably what led the manager to shipping the youngster straight back out on loan, with his tail between his legs.
To his credit, Deulofeu seems to have taken the hint and has quickly become a fan favourite at Sevilla. So much so that it seems Barca want to exercise their option to have the player returned at the end of the season.
Barca fans have yet to see the best of a player with undoubted natural talent. A match-winner when he wants to be.
Winger 2: Ibai Gomez
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With only the left wing spot left to fill, Ibai Gomez is the natural selection here.
Although he hasn't been involved as much as he might like this season, the youngster has still assisted twice in his handful of appearances for Athletic.
He was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet in the match against Real Madrid, denied by a quite brilliant Iker Casillas save.
Not quite as dynamic as Deulofeu on the opposite flank, Gomez can at least be relied upon to cross accurately and bring others into play when needed.
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