Gibraltar national football team
Encyclopedia
The Gibraltar official football team represents Gibraltar
in football competitions and is controlled by the Gibraltar Football Association
. It is not yet a member of FIFA
or UEFA
and is therefore not eligible to enter the World Cup
or the European Championship
. Gibraltar applied for UEFA membership, but this was rejected by the UEFA Board in 2007. The issue has been referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a ruling.
, when it travelled to Spain to play club side Sevilla
in a friendly; two games were played and Gibraltar lost both. The side also managed a draw with mighty Real Madrid
in 1949.
The first competition the team entered was the 1993 Island Games
. Gibraltar lost all of its matches, scoring only one goal and finishing in last place.
They had much more success in the 1995 Island Games, which they hosted. Despite losing their opening game against Greenland
, Gibraltar bounced back to record their first competitive win, against the Isle of Man
. Another victory over Anglesey
saw Gibraltar finish second in the group, ahead of Anglesey only on goal difference, and qualify for the semi finals. There, they beat Jersey
1–0, before losing the final to the Isle of Wight by the same scoreline.
In the 1997 edition, two wins and two losses in the group stage, followed by a defeat to Shetland
in a playoff, saw Gibraltar finish 6th out of 9 teams. Another poor performance in 1999 saw them finish 11th.
Results improved slightly in 2001, as they came 5th, and in 2003 Gibraltar recorded their biggest win ever, defeating Sark
19–0. Other good results against Greenland and Orkney saw them finish 6th out of 12. Despite these minor successes, Gibraltar did not even enter the 2005 tournament.
In 2007, Gibraltar won the Island Games for the 1st time, beating Rhodes
by 4–0.
, before beating Tibet
5–0 in their second group game to qualify for the semi-finals. There they lost 2–0 to eventual champions Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. In the third place playoff, Gibraltar had a rematch against St. Pauli. This time Gibraltar were able to defeat the hosts, to finish in third place out of the six teams. In 2008 Gibraltar accepted an invitation to participate in The Four Nations Tournament
, the most prominent senior football tournament that Gibraltar has ever participated in. The 2008 Four Nations Tournament, won by England C, was played in North Wales, and was contested between Wales Semi-Pro
, England C, Scotland B
and guest nation Gibraltar after Northern Ireland
decided not to take part. Though Gibraltar eventually finished bottom of the group, they pushed tournament winners England C close.
On 26 January 2007 Gibraltar membership had been rejected by the UEFA board with only 3 out of 52 votes supporting Gibraltar's claim. Spain was the strongest opponent to Gibraltar joining UEFA, even threatening to boycott any competition in which the Gibraltar national team would compete. The issue has again been referred back to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
for a ruling.
Gibraltar beat the Faroe Islands 3–0 in an unsanctioned international friendly on the 11 March 2011.
1–2 Rochdale
– Gibraltar – 10 July 2011 http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=21273
3-1 England C – Gibraltar – 15 November 2011 http://www.gibraltarnft.com/gfa_002.htm
, The Gibraltarian national team's nicknamed "The Mediterranean Eagles" .
.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
in football competitions and is controlled by the Gibraltar Football Association
Gibraltar Football Association
The Gibraltar Football Association was formed as the Gibraltar Civilian Football Association in 1895, changing to its current name in later years...
. It is not yet a member of FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
or UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
and is therefore not eligible to enter the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
or the European Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
. Gibraltar applied for UEFA membership, but this was rejected by the UEFA Board in 2007. The issue has been referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a ruling.
History
The history of the Gibraltarian national football side can be traced back to April 19231923 in football (soccer)
The following are the football events of the year 1923 throughout the world.-Events:April 28 – The first FA Cup Final to be held at Wembley Stadium, between Bolton Wanderers F.C. and West Ham United F.C.. Known as the White Horse Final due to the memorable image of a policeman on a white...
, when it travelled to Spain to play club side Sevilla
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
in a friendly; two games were played and Gibraltar lost both. The side also managed a draw with mighty Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
in 1949.
The first competition the team entered was the 1993 Island Games
Island Games
The Island Games are an international multi-sports event organized by the International Island Games Association.- History :The Island Games began in 1985 as the Inter-Island Games, as part of the Isle of Man International Year of Sport, and were intended to be a one-off sporting celebration only...
. Gibraltar lost all of its matches, scoring only one goal and finishing in last place.
They had much more success in the 1995 Island Games, which they hosted. Despite losing their opening game against Greenland
Greenland national football team
The Greenland national football team is the national team of Greenland and is controlled by the Football Association of Greenland. Although it has the same status as the Faroe Islands within the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland is not a member of FIFA nor of any continental confederation and therefore...
, Gibraltar bounced back to record their first competitive win, against the Isle of Man
Isle of Man national football team
The Isle of Man national football team is the national football team of the Isle of Man and is controlled by the Isle of Man Football Association. The team plays in a yellow and red home kit and an all navy blue away kit....
. Another victory over Anglesey
Anglesey football team
The Ynys Môn football team represents the island of Anglesey at the biannual Island Games. Ynys Môn is not a member of FIFA or UEFA, it is an island county within Wales and plays under the auspices of the Football Association of Wales, the governing body for football in Wales.-Results:*Largest win...
saw Gibraltar finish second in the group, ahead of Anglesey only on goal difference, and qualify for the semi finals. There, they beat Jersey
Jersey national football team
The Jersey official football team is the official football team for the Bailiwick of Jersey. They are not affiliated with FIFA nor UEFA, and therefore cannot compete for the FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Football Championship...
1–0, before losing the final to the Isle of Wight by the same scoreline.
In the 1997 edition, two wins and two losses in the group stage, followed by a defeat to Shetland
Shetland national football team
The Shetland football team represents the islands of Shetland, Scotland, in association football. It is not a member of FIFA or UEFA and is therefore not eligible to enter the World Cup or the European Championships...
in a playoff, saw Gibraltar finish 6th out of 9 teams. Another poor performance in 1999 saw them finish 11th.
Results improved slightly in 2001, as they came 5th, and in 2003 Gibraltar recorded their biggest win ever, defeating Sark
Sark national football team
- 2003 Island Games :Sark has ever only played in the 2003 Island Games in nearby Guernsey and Alderney. The team lost all four matches by at least 15 goals, having the unenviable record of Goals For: 0, Goals Against: 70, from just four matches...
19–0. Other good results against Greenland and Orkney saw them finish 6th out of 12. Despite these minor successes, Gibraltar did not even enter the 2005 tournament.
In 2007, Gibraltar won the Island Games for the 1st time, beating Rhodes
Rhodes football team
The Rhodes football team is the football team which represents the island of Rhodes, at the biannual Island Games. Rhodes is not a member of FIFA or UEFA, it is an island within Greece and plays under the auspices of the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in...
by 4–0.
Tournaments
In 2006 Gibraltar participated in the 2006 FIFI Wild Cup where it was ranked 3rd. In Gibraltar's opening match, they drew 1–1 with the hosts, the 'Republic of St. Pauli'FC St. Pauli
Fußball-Club St. Pauli is a German sports club based in the St. Pauli quarter of Hamburg. The football section is part of a larger club that also has Rugby Fußball-Club St. Pauli is a German sports club based in the St. Pauli quarter of Hamburg. The football section is part of a larger club that...
, before beating Tibet
Tibet national football team
The Tibet national football team is an association football controlled by the Tibetan National Football Association, an organizations of exiled Tibetans. The current manager is Kelsang Dhondup....
5–0 in their second group game to qualify for the semi-finals. There they lost 2–0 to eventual champions Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. In the third place playoff, Gibraltar had a rematch against St. Pauli. This time Gibraltar were able to defeat the hosts, to finish in third place out of the six teams. In 2008 Gibraltar accepted an invitation to participate in The Four Nations Tournament
The Four Nations Tournament
The Four Nations Tournament is an annual football competition, currently held by England who won the 2008 tournament which was held in Wales. The competition - with a format of all nations playing each other and table with the team finishing top declared the winner - is held towards the end of the...
, the most prominent senior football tournament that Gibraltar has ever participated in. The 2008 Four Nations Tournament, won by England C, was played in North Wales, and was contested between Wales Semi-Pro
Wales national semi-professional football team
The Wales National Semi-Professional Football Team is a football team that represents Wales at non-league level. It features players Under 23 years of age who play for clubs outside of the Football League and players from the Welsh Premier League are eligible...
, England C, Scotland B
Scotland B national football team
The Scotland B national football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is a secondary football team of Scotland, run occasionally as support for the Scotland national football team as a second string side to the first team....
and guest nation Gibraltar after Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
decided not to take part. Though Gibraltar eventually finished bottom of the group, they pushed tournament winners England C close.
Application for membership of FIFA and UEFA
On 25 August 2006, it was proposed that Gibraltar will become a provisional member of UEFA. However, a decision on granting this was postponed in October 2006. The decision was made on 8 December 2006 that Gibraltar will be made provisional members of UEFA: FIFA had announced two days earlier that their executive committee had "ruled that Gibraltar does not meet the statutory requirements to become a FIFA member", despite the fact that the Court of Arbitration in Sport had already ruled to the contrary.On 26 January 2007 Gibraltar membership had been rejected by the UEFA board with only 3 out of 52 votes supporting Gibraltar's claim. Spain was the strongest opponent to Gibraltar joining UEFA, even threatening to boycott any competition in which the Gibraltar national team would compete. The issue has again been referred back to the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Court of Arbitration for Sport
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is an international arbitration body set up to settle disputes related to sport. Its headquarters are in Lausanne and its courts are located in New York, Sydney and Lausanne, Switzerland...
for a ruling.
Gibraltar beat the Faroe Islands 3–0 in an unsanctioned international friendly on the 11 March 2011.
Island Games record
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1993Football at the 1993 Island Games The 1993 Island Games on the Isle of Wight was the 3rd edition in which a men's football tournament was played at the multi-games competition... |
7th Place Match | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
 1995Football at the 1995 Island Games The 1995 Island Games in Gibraltar was the 4th edition in which a men's football tournament was played at the multi-games competition. It was contested by 8 teams.Isle of Wight won the tournament for the first time.-Group 1:... |
Runners-Up | 2 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
 1997Football at the 1997 Island Games The 1997 Island Games on the island of Gotland was the 5th edition in which a men's football tournament was played at the multi-games competition... |
5th Place Match | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 8 |
 1999Football at the 1999 Island Games The 1999 Island Games on the island of Gotland was the 6th edition in which a men's football tournament was played at the multi-games competition... |
11th Place Match | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 11 |
 2001Football at the 2001 Island Games The 2001 Island Games on the Isle of Man was the 7th edition in which a men's football tournament was played at the multi-games competition... |
5th Place Match | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
 2003Football at the 2003 Island Games The 2003 Island Games on the island of Guernsey was the 8th edition in which a men's football tournament was played at the multi-games competition... |
5th Place Match | 6 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 5 |
 2007Football at the 2007 Island Games The 2007 Island Games on the island of Rhodes was the 10th edition in which a men's football tournament was played at the multi-games competition... |
Champions | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 |
 2009Football at the 2009 Island Games The 2009 Island Games in Åland was the 11th edition in which a men's football tournament was played at the multi-games competition. It was contested by 16 teams.Jersey won the tournament for the third time.-Group A:... |
9th Place Match | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 |
| Total | 8/11 | 1 Title | 35 | 18 | 2 | 15 | 85 | 43 |
- *Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won. Red border colour indicates tournament was held on home soil.
Wild Cup record
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 2006 |
3rd Place Playoff | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
| Total | 1/1 | 0 Titles | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
Four Nations Tournament record
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 2008The Four Nations Tournament The Four Nations Tournament is an annual football competition, currently held by England who won the 2008 tournament which was held in Wales. The competition - with a format of all nations playing each other and table with the team finishing top declared the winner - is held towards the end of the... |
Group | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| Total | 1/1 | 0 Titles | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
Honours
- Football at the Island GamesFootball at the Island GamesFootball has been a regular event since 1989 at the Island Games, the biennial multi-sports event for island nations, territories and dependencies...
: - Winners (1): 2007Football at the 2007 Island GamesThe 2007 Island Games on the island of Rhodes was the 10th edition in which a men's football tournament was played at the multi-games competition...
- Runners-up (1): 1995Football at the 1995 Island GamesThe 1995 Island Games in Gibraltar was the 4th edition in which a men's football tournament was played at the multi-games competition. It was contested by 8 teams.Isle of Wight won the tournament for the first time.-Group 1:...
Selected Internationals opponents
- Recent Games:
1–2 Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
– Gibraltar – 10 July 2011 http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=212733-1 England C
– Gibraltar – 15 November 2011 http://www.gibraltarnft.com/gfa_002.htm- Next game: To be announced
| Opponents | Matches | Win | Draw | Loss | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 | |
| 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 15 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Name
Under the official FIFA Trigramme, The Gibraltarian national team’s name is abbreviated as GIB, which is also the country's codeISO 3166-1 alpha-3
ISO 3166-1 alpha-3 codes are three-letter country codes defined in ISO 3166-1, part of the ISO 3166 standard published by the International Organization for Standardization , to represent countries, dependent territories, and special areas of geographical interest...
, The Gibraltarian national team's nicknamed "The Mediterranean Eagles" .
Kit
The Gibraltarian national team kits is currently produced by German sport company PUMA, It is all-white with red details to reflect the colours of the Gibraltarian national flagFlag of Gibraltar
The flag of Gibraltar is an elongated banner of the coat of arms of Gibraltar, granted by Royal Warrant Queen Isabella I of Castile on 10 July 1502.-Description:...
.
Current squad
The following 23 players have been selected for the Gibraltar Senior Festival Cup in 2010.| # | Pos. | Player | Date of Birth (Age) | Caps | Goals | Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | ||||||||
| Defenders | ||||||||
| Midfielders | ||||||||
| Forwards | ||||||||
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up in the last 12 months.| # | Pos. | Player | Date of Birth (Age) | Caps | Goals | Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | ||||||||
| Defenders | ||||||||
| Midfielders | ||||||||
| Forwards | ||||||||
See also
- Football in GibraltarFootball in GibraltarAssociation football is one of the most popular sports in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It has a strong tradition on The Rock, having first been introduced by British military personnel in the 19th century...
- Gibraltar Football AssociationGibraltar Football AssociationThe Gibraltar Football Association was formed as the Gibraltar Civilian Football Association in 1895, changing to its current name in later years...
- List of football clubs in Gibraltar