What's The Best Sports Rivalry Ever?

[The Portland Territory]

Does the Palio in Siena, Italy count? Sport competition in America is nothing compared to that

Is that the horse race in the piazza?

Yes

[Zhufbar]

Tottenham versus Arsenal

(Just kidding White Hart Lane is home to a club that hasn't finished ahead of Arsenal for 21 years and counting, there is no rivalry)

In all seriousness, Fenerbahce v Galatasaray is one hell of a rivalry

[Dumb Ideologies]

Tottenham versus Arsenal

(Just kidding White Hart Lane is home to a club that hasn't finished ahead of Arsenal for 21 years and counting, there is no rivalry)

In all seriousness, Fenerbahce v Galatasaray is one hell of a rivalry

wew this is the most vocal I've ever known an Arsenal fan to be.

[Traxa]

Rivalries between sports teams spring up for various reasons - they're in the same division, they meet often, they play high-stakes games in the playoffs, or they don't like each other, just because. Some rivalries are mundane, others are vicious. So, if you were to pick the absolute BEST sports rivalry, whether present-day or historical, which one would it be and why?

Examples

Nation 1: Steelers-Ravens, because of the intense physical games and the passionate dislike of either team, but yet a genuine respect for each other.
Nation 2: Yankees-Red Sox, because they are incredible games and the hatred is overwhelming. 2004 ALCS, anyone?
Nation 3: Cavaliers-Warriors, because they've played so many high-stakes games and have split two championships between them.

the cavs warriors is not, and will never be a rivalry. Please stop trying to make this happen. It is worse than that UCONN vs UCF college football thing UCONN's coach tried to force.

[Arkinesia]

I would say, for associational football, something like Celtic-Rangers (for the ferocity), Liverpool-Manchester United (for the history), or the Milan rivalry (for the glory).

All of these rivalries stretch back a very long time (at least one has a continuous game streak approaching a century) and don't match anything that can be found in professional sports stateside.

[Val Halla]

I would say, for associational football, something like Celtic-Rangers (for the ferocity), Liverpool-Manchester United (for the history), or the Milan rivalry (for the glory).

All of these rivalries stretch back a very long time (at least one has a continuous game streak approaching a century) and don't match anything that can be found in professional sports stateside.

The inner city rivalries in Liverpool and Manchester are much bigger, especially Everton and Liverpool FC

[Arkinesia]

I would say, for associational football, something like Celtic-Rangers (for the ferocity), Liverpool-Manchester United (for the history), or the Milan rivalry (for the glory).

All of these rivalries stretch back a very long time (at least one has a continuous game streak approaching a century) and don't match anything that can be found in professional sports stateside.

The inner city rivalries in Liverpool and Manchester are much bigger, especially Everton and Liverpool FC

That's true, but I had already picked out an example for fierce competition, and that's not the only thing I like in my rivalries, even though those too have plenty of history behind them.

[Empire of Cats]

Rivalries between sports teams spring up for various reasons - they're in the same division, they meet often, they play high-stakes games in the playoffs, or they don't like each other, just because. Some rivalries are mundane, others are vicious. So, if you were to pick the absolute BEST sports rivalry, whether present-day or historical, which one would it be and why?

Examples

Nation 1: Steelers-Ravens, because of the intense physical games and the passionate dislike of either team, but yet a genuine respect for each other.
Nation 2: Yankees-Red Sox, because they are incredible games and the hatred is overwhelming. 2004 ALCS, anyone?
Nation 3: Cavaliers-Warriors, because they've played so many high-stakes games and have split two championships between them.

the cavs warriors is not, and will never be a rivalry. Please stop trying to make this happen. It is worse than that UCONN vs UCF college football thing UCONN's coach tried to force.

Ok, then, my bad. I don't really follow basketball, and I just used it as an example. Sorry if I offended you.

[Chestaan]

Definitely old firm.

[Northwest Slobovia]

Sports fans vs. people who think sports are silly.

[Sack Jackpot Winners]

I'd say Bears-Packers rivalry but I'm a little biased.

EDIT:

Scratch that, US-USSR hockey rivalry. Not still going, but it was fiery for the time it had.

Agreed, fuck the Packers.

(really hoping we're both bears fans.)

Ooooh I'm a hardcore Packers fan. Like before 2010 fan.

[Costa Fierro]

Australia and New Zealand in anything really.

[FutureAmerica]

Barcelona vs Real Madrid

[Shofercia]

Rivalries between sports teams spring up for various reasons - they're in the same division, they meet often, they play high-stakes games in the playoffs, or they don't like each other, just because. Some rivalries are mundane, others are vicious. So, if you were to pick the absolute BEST sports rivalry, whether present-day or historical, which one would it be and why?

Examples

Nation 1: Steelers-Ravens, because of the intense physical games and the passionate dislike of either team, but yet a genuine respect for each other.
Nation 2: Yankees-Red Sox, because they are incredible games and the hatred is overwhelming. 2004 ALCS, anyone?
Nation 3: Cavaliers-Warriors, because they've played so many high-stakes games and have split two championships between them.

Barca - Real Madrid

Now that's a classic rivalry, or as they say in Spain - El Clasico...

[Shofercia]

We named that the Völler-Gullit unit.

We just assume it's Millwall against anybody.

"Don't go to Millwall games if you want to live" - actual advice I was given in London.


Also, in reference to the NFL:

[USS Monitor]

None, sports rivalries are dumb. Why would you feel any less inclined to tolerate someone who just so happens to like a different team than you? It's totally irrational. Sort of like a microcosm for intense nationalism, actually, now that I think about it.

Most people involved in sports rivalries aren't that serious about their hate. They're outspoken about it, but it's all bark, not much bite. Back when I was really serious about baseball, I would exchange insults with Yankees fans, but we weren't shooting each other or anything.

[Maurepas]

The Blues and the Greens. They took down a whole government with their rivalry.

[Risottia]

Does the Palio in Siena, Italy count? Sport competition in America is nothing compared to that

Doesn't count. The Senese don't consider the Palio to be sport: they consider it to be a battle.

[Empire of Cats]

Also, in reference to the NFL:

(Image)

(Image)

It's true, though!

[Gun Manufacturers]

None, sports rivalries are dumb. Why would you feel any less inclined to tolerate someone who just so happens to like a different team than you? It's totally irrational. Sort of like a microcosm for intense nationalism, actually, now that I think about it.

Most people involved in sports rivalries aren't that serious about their hate. They're outspoken about it, but it's all bark, not much bite. Back when I was really serious about baseball, I would exchange insults with Yankees fans, but we weren't shooting each other or anything.

I had a Sox fan threaten me after the 2003 ALCS. I think that was the exception, not the rule, though.

[Chestaan]

We just assume it's Millwall against anybody.

"Don't go to Millwall games if you want to live" - actual advice I was given in London.


Also, in reference to the NFL:

Some of the Millwall fans are absolutely batshit crazy. Back a few decades ago it was almost a given that several of their matches in a year would end up in rioting. If you haven't done so, definitely check out the movie "Green Street". It's all about the rivalry between Millwall and West Ham hooligans.

[Chestaan]

None, sports rivalries are dumb. Why would you feel any less inclined to tolerate someone who just so happens to like a different team than you? It's totally irrational. Sort of like a microcosm for intense nationalism, actually, now that I think about it.

Most people involved in sports rivalries aren't that serious about their hate. They're outspoken about it, but it's all bark, not much bite. Back when I was really serious about baseball, I would exchange insults with Yankees fans, but we weren't shooting each other or anything.

And those that are generally just want an excuse to riot.

[Tallapoosa]

Alabama vs. the cow college on the other side of the state (AKA auburn). They refused to play each other for 40 years because of the rivalry.

[The Empire of Pretantia]

Alabama vs. the cow college on the other side of the state (AKA auburn).

>Implying agriculture is not a respectable and necessary component of society

[Tallapoosa]

Alabama vs. the cow college on the other side of the state (AKA auburn).

>Implying agriculture is not a respectable and necessary component of society

It is a respectable and necessary component of society. But it's not something you should need a college degree to participate in. Also, the term "cow college" is in reference to how much auburn fans "love" their livestock.