Best rivalry?

[Mr66]

Had an animated discussion with a friend last week as to which is the best/fiercest/heated etc
rivalry in world scoccer, Celtic v Rangers or Boca Juniors v River Plate?
Or is there another derby which we overlooked?

[heater31]

Merseyside Derby

Everton V Liverpool

[dinglinga]

theres plenty u could choose from

milan vs inter
real madrid v barcelona

and more

[McAlmanac]

There was an excellent series on SBS (where else?) dealing with famous rivalries. The Real Madrid v Barcelona one struck me as being the most potent, as it has affected politics in Spain. The fiercely parochial Catalans, who have always agitated for an independent state, believed that Real was a symbol for General Franco's regime whcih lasted over 35 years until his death in 1975. There were much acccusations of match rigging and bribery during the Franco years. The great Alfredo di Stefano was snatched by Real from under the noses of Barcelona in the 50's and when Luis Figo made the move from Barca to Real in 2000, there was a media campaign to "welcome" him back.

Celtic and Rangers would be close on sectarian lines. Not too many blokes have played for both. Former 70's Spurs star Alfie Conn would be one. When former Leicester star Neil Lennon, a Protestant, moved to Celtic, he was the subject of death threats.

Palermo and Catania seems to be another fierce one given recent events.

[stampy]

i have rellies in glasgow and what they tell me is pretty scary you dont wear your colours unless you are in "your" area, otherwise you may end up in a pine box, sad really, we dont realise how lucky we are over here and thats why i hated the pic on the front page after the united/victory semi here a coupla weeks ago we dont need violent rivalries in this country and aussies dont care for that shit

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

healthy rivalires here in Aus, just a passionate without the stupidity, its really a triangle type rivalry with Sydney/Adelaide/Melbourne here.

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Newcastle versus Sunderland

[MightyEagles]

Merseyside Derby

Everton V Liverpool

I'd agree with that. Go the Reds.

[MightyEagles]

Newcastle versus Sunderland

Didn't know that the jets played in the EPL

[mighty_tiger_79]

Birmingham v Aston Villa

in the midlands derby

[SANFLsponge]

Total Football magazine did their own survey on this topic about 4 or 5 years ago, and came to the conclusion that the Boca V River Plate was the fiercest rivalry due to the fact they were willing to shoot each other if need be, just pipping Celtic v Rangers and in a close 3rd was Barca v Real Madrid. I have been to 3 Celtic v Rangers games when I was living in Glasgow and they have an atmosphere like nothing else I have experienced, but I haven't been to the big one in Argentina. The trouble in Glasgow is mainly later on in the day or evening when people are coming out of the pubs and crossing paths with opposition supporters, words are exchanged generally followed by fists, but around and inside the ground there are far to many police for even the bravest (Drunkest) fans to get near each other.

[JK]

Liverpool and Man U is a fair rivalry also, for memory there's only ever been 1 bloke play for both clubs...

[Wedgie]

Adelaide City v West Adelaide

[scoob]

Mrs Edwards vs. Mrs McLeod.

[Wedgie]

Mrs Edwards vs. Mrs McLeod.

[RoosterMarty]

Mrs Edwards vs. Mrs McLeod.

great call

[Stumps]

Wolves v West Brom a pretty big one (and dangerous) one in the midlands

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Hibernian versus Midlothian 'Hearts'
More Micks versus Prods this time in Edinburgh!

[Punk Rooster]

Newcastle versus Sunderland

the Tyne-Wear Derbies are something to behold!

[Royal City]

Newcastle versus Sunderland

the Tyne-Wear Derbies are something to behold!

Pure hatred. Its more than a football rivalry.

The two cities actually fought a battle against each other in the English Civil War, and as per usual it was won by the Mackems