sporting rivalries

[Ken Gargett]

every team has a nemesis - that team that it loves to beat more than any other.

from the first moment i arrived in DC, i was indoctrinated into the intense rivalry/hatred between the skins and the cowgirls. i have mates who still think a 2-14 season is a success as long as the two wins are dallas. even today, nearly 30 years later, if i land in dallas, even if just transiting, i feel like i am behind enemy lines. so looking forward to today's game in an hour.

back home, the two most serious rivalries for me are both qld v nsw - the rugby and the origin (league), although in the latter, nsw have been so spineless for so long that it seems more like an exhibition game these days, exhibiting how bad nsw are (not true - qld could win the next 50 and i'd enjoy every single one of them as much as if it were the first).

for the rugby, i grew up in the era when thrashing nsw (ah, remember the old 'boo a blue' days, and 'we want 50' - glory days) was a given. sadly not so now, and no doubt the origin will turn as well. but i still maintain the rage. the week before any of these games, i can't bring myself to review a wine from nsw (sorry riggsy) and i will not let a car with a nsw number plate cut in, even if they have right of way! qld v nsw rugby is even more important than beating the all blacks. or at least close.

for the gunners, obviously spurs is the traditional hated opponent but i must say that i prefer beating manspew. another big weekend coming up.

internationally, there is nothing bigger or better than the Ashes. england has them but we are well on the way to bringing them home, where they belong. a big weekend indeed.

curious to know what other fans think of their rivalries - and if teams on the other side hold the same view as to how important the game is or if it is simply another game.

 

[treberty]

In Montreal hockey is a religion. I think that a game between 2 original 6 teams is a good game.  

A game between the Canadiens and the Bruins is a great game (even when both teams suck).

 

[Bill Hayes]

I'm a big Richmond Tigers fan in the AFL. Been a member for years. Had the pleasure of watching the Tigers win the premiership this year - the first in 37 years. Last time, I was 14 year old in 1980 and we beat arch rival Collingwood. But our biggest rival is Carlton. We beat them in the Grand final in 1969 and 1973. They beat us in 1972 and 1982. We play them every year in the season opener and it always draws a massive crowd no matter how good or bad both teams are. I'm a little unlike other fans in that I would rather Carlton were higher up the ladder. Nothing better than beating a rival in a final in front of 100,000 at the mighty MCG.

[rguinn]

In the southern US, college football rules all of sports. I’d say the biggest rivalry is in the state of Alabama between the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Both schools stopped play between from 1908-1940 that started over a $34 (~ $840 today) funding disagreement. Around 6 years ago a fan poisoned the other teams sacred trees that they’ve had for decades and used in celebration. Many stories and many great games and the rivalry has kept both schools very competitive over the years. 

[alloy]

Washington Caps vs Penguins and crybaby Crosby. Definitely Skins vs. cowpies!

[madandana]

Good luck tonight Ken. I'm watching it now. So far a pretty good match.

[Ken Gargett]

1 hour ago, madandana said:

Good luck tonight Ken. I'm watching it now. So far a pretty good match.

its a horrible match. the entire skins team have got jellyhands.

[Ken Gargett]

1 hour ago, Bill Hayes said:

I'm a big Richmond Tigers fan in the AFL. Been a member for years. Had the pleasure of watching the Tigers win the premiership this year - the first in 37 years. Last time, I was 14 year old in 1980 and we beat arch rival Collingwood. But our biggest rival is Carlton. We beat them in the Grand final in 1969 and 1973. They beat us in 1972 and 1982. We play them every year in the season opener and it always draws a massive crowd no matter how good or bad both teams are. I'm a little unlike other fans in that I would rather Carlton were higher up the ladder. Nothing better than beating a rival in a final in front of 100,000 at the mighty MCG.

bill, i remember that year and roach. loved watching him. and carlton losing is nearly but not quite as good as collingwood losing (queue video of the lions v pies finals!!). mates and i were in melb that may and went along to the MCG for the last game of the first round, between the tigers and carlton, both unbeaten. great day (freezing at the top of the MCG with no cover but we sat there in undies as the locals would buy us beer if we did. hey, we were students. and at the end of the day, carlton no longer unbeaten.

[Fuzz]

Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers rivalry is going strong.

[Ken Gargett]

20 minutes ago, Fuzz said:

Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers rivalry is going strong.

sorry fuzz, sporting rivalries.

[Fuzz]

14 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

sorry fuzz, sporting rivalries.

Oh yeah, sorry. Soccer is not a sport, just a bunch of guys faking injuries to get penalties.

[Ken Gargett]

10 minutes ago, Fuzz said:

Oh yeah, sorry. Soccer is not a sport, just a bunch of guys faking injuries to get penalties.

if our olympic divers could replicate some of what they do....

[Bill Hayes]

1 hour ago, Ken Gargett said:

bill, i remember that year and roach. loved watching him. and carlton losing is nearly but not quite as good as collingwood losing (queue video of the lions v pies finals!!). mates and i were in melb that may and went along to the MCG for the last game of the first round, between the tigers and carlton, both unbeaten. great day (freezing at the top of the MCG with no cover but we sat there in undies as the locals would buy us beer if we did. hey, we were students. and at the end of the day, carlton no longer unbeaten.

Yep, as a 14 year old boy loved that 1980 side and Disco Roach.

[SmokeySteve]

Growing up in Boston it was always Red Sox vs. Yankees, Celtics vs. Lakers and Bruins vs. Canadians.  The Patriots never really had a rival. Perhaps the closest thing to a rivalry was against any AFC East opponent. 

I love watching any of these matchups today, but it’s just not the same as it was years ago. ?

[BTWheezy]

For US college football, it’s tough to beat Michigan vs Ohio State.  And I’m not even remotely connected to either school.  Just an observer from the west coast.  I appreciate a good rivalry, but you all are crazy! ?

Props to:

Alabama - Auburn

University of Southern Cal - Norte Dame

Larry Bird Celtics - Magic Johnson Lakers

Red Sox - Yankees

 

But my cake is awarded to Michigan - OSU.

[CrankYanker]

Two rivals that I will speak to in my life. First back in the Manning days it was the Colts and Patriots. Always rivalry and stopped us from times in going further in the playoffs. Second is the Cardinals. I am a huge Cubs fan and this is always a huge rival. Expect some great games in 2018

[Colt45]

Red Sox vs. Yankees

Celtics vs. Lakers

Bruins vs. Canadiens

Patriots vs. The World

[alloy]

1 hour ago, Colt45 said:

 

 

 

Patriots vs. The World

Shouldn't that be Belichick or Brady against the world? 

[GrouchoMarx]

13 hours ago, treberty said:

In Montreal hockey is a religion. I think that a game between 2 original 6 teams is a good game.  

A game between the Canadiens and the Bruins is a great game (even when both teams suck).

 

Toronto / Montreal hockey rivalry is likely one of the oldes in pro sports (even though both teams suck) 

[Colt45]

54 minutes ago, alloy said:

Shouldn't that be Belichick or Brady against the world? 

I'm a firm believer in spinning, slicing, and dicing facts to suit my own purposes 

But I never forget the 2001 season's super bowl 36 where the Pats insisted on being introduced as a team.....

[alloy]

4 hours ago, Hutch said:

How ‘bout them Foreskins ? 

Deadskins?

[ayepatz]

Growing up in Glasgow, there are only two rivalries that matter.

Rangers v Celtic, and Scotland v England.

In both cases, not only do you want your own team to beat the opposition, you also want everybody else to crush them as well.

Sadly, with Rangers current headless-chicken faffing about, after their years of punishment for dodgy financial dealings, there’s not much for Celtic to be worried about these days. And the Scottish football team has been woeful for so long, that the English have nothing to fear.

But I can’t wait for next year’s Six Nations, where, after some great rugby in the Autumn Internationals, England might now be a wee bit more worried about coming to Murrayfield. Should be a great game!