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Local derby

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In many countries the term derby is used (often in the form "local derby") to mean a sport's (often football (soccer)) geographical rivalries. To name an example, the "North London Derby" is Arsenal versus Spurs. The term is sometimes also used to describe major rivalries in which both clubs have substantial regional or national followings.

The phrase may have originated from an all-in football game contested annually between the two halves of the town of Derby in England. This match has been discontinued.

Derbies usually have a much more heated atmosphere between the fans and often the players of the two clubs. For some derbies, an added source of tension between the two clubs can be political or sectarian rivalry.

An example of political rivalry is the derby between FC Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona in Spain. FC Barcelona represents the population loyal to Catalan nationalism and Espanyol represents the population of Barcelona loyal to a united Spain (the name Espanyol "Spanish" in Catalan), especially those who migrated to Catalunya from other parts of Spain in the Francisco Franco era. An example of sectarian rivalry is in the Old Firm derby between the two leading clubs of Glasgow in Scotland. In the matches between Celtic v Rangers, Celtic represents the Catholic population, and Rangers the Protestant population of Glasgow.

'Derby' is used to signify matches between teams in the same town or region. This means that a match such as FC Barcelona v Real Madrid, while considered a fierce rivalry, is not a derby match.

List of Derby matches

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada

Chile

Egypt

Finland

France

Germany

Iran

Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Mexico

Netherlands

Norway

Paraguay

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Serbia

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

United Kingdom

  • Auld Enemy - Scotland v England - Football (world's first ever international football match)

England

Scotland

International derbies

Contests between neighbouring nations also frequently take on derby status. This is particularly the case with the following pairs of countries and particular sports:

See also

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