SFTW: I think the reason why a Barsa-Filth derby generates passion is because both clubs have represented not only two diametrically opposed political attitudes for more than 70 years, but also they've been the standard -bearers of ordinary people's hopes and emotions and how each "nation" perceives the other. The reason why an Atlético-Español doesn't arouse much passion is because they've so rarely been up to winning any major prize. For years the Filth was in the driving seat and rightly or wrongly Catalans saw them as the oppressor, sponsored by a Fascist state. Recently the tide has turned and revenge has been sweet for a lot of Catalans who can't or don't want to separate politics from football. In the UK, if you "hate" Manure or Liverpool, it tends to be on regional grounds or just envy and resentment of the other's success; in Spain, hatred of Barsa or The Filth goes much deeper, though it makes for equally stupid behaviour.
Biggest derby worldwide? There is only one derby in my world and despite St Godders best attempts, it ain't Reading or Brighton.
I've been to see Roma Vs Lazio, in the stand next to the Ultras. Incredible atmosphere and during the game a huge fight broke out in the Ultra's stand. Must have been 60-70 people beating the hell out of each other. In their stadium the Police won't go into the Ultra's stand as its declared and act of war! Therefore this fight went on for around 15 minutes before it fizzled out-crazy!!
A lot of people seem to equate a good derby with violence, which does seem to happen in many cases. I would go for Liverpool/Everton who seem to have managed rivalry without much trouble...because fans all work with or are related to rival fans. Also true for Man City/United.
I live 500 yards from Ibrox (I bought my place on the spot at night and had no idea where I was!) and have subsequently experienced way too many Old Firm matches from both inside and outside the ground. The rivalry has nothing to do with football. Fans on both sides descend to levels of behaviour (often with their children with them) that would get them arrested if they were anywhere else. It is a rancid thing. Many years ago, I happened to be in Istanbul when the Galatasary v Fenerbache derby was on. We were going to go along but were pulled out of a long queue of pedestrian traffic by the police. They pointed at my mate, shook their heads and gestured throat cutting. All week he'd been getting asked for autographs as everyone thought he was Dalian Atkinson who had just been loaned out by Fenerbache. Evidently the police thought that the likeness was strong enough that his life was in danger if he went into the ground. We did not argue! Instead, we sat in a restaurant down on the Bosphurus and watched what can only be described as a minor revolution happening out on the streets during the match. I have never seen or heard anything like it. It certainly puts the old firm to shame!
If it's your team playing thier rivals, that is the biggest derby. I lived in Norwich for years and the Nardge v Tractor Boys is huge there. Ask a fan from either team and they would say it beats Glasgow, scousers or el classico any day. It's all down to an accident of birth. The only derby I care about is us v the blue few. COYS
Newcastle v Sunderland. Considering both teams are never near the top of their leagues, and the passion and attendances involved, no other would match in similar circumstances.
Does killing eachother really signify how much a derby means to you? I like to think i'm a pretty keen Shrews Town fan, and for all the frustration it's caused me (scandalously 1pt from autopromo last season after a cheat got Wycombe to pip us; but that's another story.) However it's never really occurred to me to gauge someone's eyes out with a plastic fork; does this mean I care less?
Wisła and KS Cracovia in Krakow, Poland is pretty fierce and is based on religious differences, but for me it has to be River Plate and Boca Juniors.
For terms of Passion/violence gotta be either river v boca or fernebache v glatasary. However for worldwide popularity and history probably El Clasico
But a significant one. I remember the goal that never was, and it was hugely significant to your season. If ever there was the lie to the oft quoted throwaway that luck evens itself out over a season, that was the instance where it happened. Shrewsbury basically had all their bad luck [if you believe in that crap] thrown into one bad officials' decision, and Wycombe leapfrogged you into the auto-promo places. If it has happened to ManU they would have changed the rules on Video Goal Line Technology by now, and it would have rivalled the Munich Air Disaster as a football news item to look back on. What's incredible is that it wasn't even close to a goal, yet it was given. Sorry to go off-topic, but I hate injustice to whoever it happens.
I spend a lot of time in Madrid and anybody who says Real vs Barca is a production is off their faces!! These 2 hate each other. The Catalans of Barca want independence and see Madrielnos as the embodiment of everything they hate. It's political, fierce...oh and they both play really good football! Been to Boca vs River too, pretty intense!
Utter guff. You don't know what you are talking about. I find YOUR intolerance and obvious ignorance all too common unfortunately, and your own hypocrisy beggars belief. 99% of all statistics are made up as you have shown. According to you the rivalry has nothing to do with both clubs vying to be top of the Scottish Football tree for years, as well as being the two top clubs in Scotland they also play in the same city, that's called a "Derby" in case you did not realise. Plenty of cities have them. There is a religious undertone but there is a National/Racial undertone to the Barca v Madrid matches and that does not diminish the spectacle. You also mention Galatasaray v Fenerbahce, are you trying to suggest that they only loathe each other because they are City rivals? Galatasaray was founded by an all French speaking high school and is on the European side. While Fenerbahce is on the Asian side and has a largely working class following. Fener were even formed in secret, because the strict Ottoman rulers of the time banned young Turks from playing the game. Hmm, sounds to me that they have a "Racial" thing going on here in Turkey too, who'd a thunk it eh? Please keep your petty prejudices to yourself, probably for the best lest you make an even bigger fool of yourself by displaying a propensity to massage the "Truth" according to your argument.
