Most Underrated Derbies in Football (5-1) - Part Two

Most Underrated Derbies in World Football (5-1 – Part Two)

In the second half of this list, we highlight our top Five most underrated rivalries on the planet.

5 – Genoa v Sampdoria (The Lighthouse Derby)

The Derby ‘della Lanterna’ is a deep and historic rivalry. The East and the west of the region have been at loggerheads, believe it or not for over two millennia.

Genoa Football Club was founded in 1893 by Elite English ex-pats and is Italy’s oldest football team. Their rivals Sampdoria were formed much later in 1946, through two local clubs merging. This new club immediately moved into the ‘Stadio Luigi Ferraris’ and the clubs have ground-shared ever since.

The rivalry between those who class themselves as ‘Genoeise’ and those aligned to ‘Samp’ dates back to before Christ. The Second Punic War between 218-201 BC was the catalyst for this divide. Those in the western reaches of the region sided and fought for Rome (Sampdoria heartland), while those in the East (Traditional Genoa support) supported Carthage. This east-west divide has survived through history and is now attached to Genoa’s footballing culture.

Currently after 97 recorded derbies, the newer club Sampdoria have managed to gain more victories – 37 to Genoa’s 24.  Even though there is hardly any violence between the clubs, this historic separation creates one of the most intense atmospheres in Serie A, not a derby to be missed.

4 – Levski Sofia v CSKA Sofia (The Eternal Derby)

This is the most passionate and intense rivalry in Eastern Europe. Often overshadowed by other Eastern bloc derbies, this one is called the ‘Eternal Derby’ for a reason.

In June 1985 the rivalry spiralled out of control as both teams contested the Bulgarian Cup Final. The game displayed poor sportsmanship from both sides triggering fights between the players and supporters pouring onto the pitch and out into the streets. A few days later the Communist party in control of Bulgaria issued a decree to disband both teams and ban some of the players involved. One of these players was Bulgarian Legend Hristo Stoichkov who was playing for CSKA at the time. A Year later these decisions were overturned.

Currently The Eternal Derby is held in the Bulgarian National Stadium, the ‘Vasil Levski’. The teams play out the derby in this neutral venue because of it’s higher capacity and the Bulgarian Authorities cite the National Stadium as in an area easier to police. This comes after devastating riots and that followed Sofia derbies in the 80’s and 90’s. Currently after 199 encounters, Levski Sofia have gained more wins against their bitter rivals CSKA. Levski have 81 recorded wins compared to CSKA’s 67.

3 – Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders (The I5 Derby)

Although separated by 173 miles of interstate, Portland and Seattle are virtually on each other’s doorsteps by North American Standards. Dating back to 1975, this rivalry has spanned Four different leagues and has been reinvigorated after the Timbers joined the Sounders in the MLS in 2011.

This is usually the MLS’ biggest grudge match and the highest attended. The supporters express their vociferous mutual dislike through songs and giant banners. In March 2010 after a PRE-SEASON Timbers win in Seattle, The ‘Timbers Army’ clashed outside the stadium with the Seattle ‘Emerald City Supporters’. Three Seattle fans were taken to court over the assaulting of a Portland fan by ‘choking and dragging him around by his scarf’.

Separated at each end of the I5 Interstate, the games have been feisty and fiery as fans have dubbed it ‘The Battle of I5’. Seattle and Portland’s rivalry has sprung from rivalries in other major American sports such as Ice Hockey and Basketball. With the MLS popularity increasing year on year, this is a derby to keep your eye on.

2 – Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian (Edinburgh derby)

Overshadowed time and again by the Glasgow derby, the Scottish capital’s two rival teams always provide an exciting, passionate spectacle. We list this feisty fixture as the most underrated on the British Isles. The clubs first met on Christmas Day in 1875 as Hearts ran out 1-0 winners.

Just like Celtic and Rangers there is a religious and patriotic divide. ‘Hibs’ play in Celtic Green and have a traditional Irish immigrant fanbase, based in the Leith area of Edinburgh. ‘Hearts’ on the other hand have a more native and British patriot following. Hearts’ Maroon colours originate from a former St. Andrews university side (The most educated and talented Scots were seen to go to this establishment).

Trouble and violence are commonplace surrounding this fixture. The last derby in November 2018 made national headlines after Hibernian manager Neil Lennon was struck with a coin, an assistant referee was assaulted and the Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal was floored by a set of keys.

Twenty Eight years earlier in 1990 former Hearts chairman, Wallace Mercer failed in a takeover bid of Hibernian to merge the clubs together to make one big Edinburgh ‘superclub’. The resultant derby a few days later was marred by violence and multiple pitch invasions. The game ended in a 3-0 away win for Hearts. After 644 matches, Hearts hold the better record with 282 victories compared to Hibs’ 204.

1 – East Bengal v Mohun Began (The Kolkata Derby)

In India’s Third biggest city, this rivalry is the biggest in Asian football. It is probably the most well attended, feistily competitive and historically significant game you’ve never heard of. The game holds the record for the biggest attendance in Indian Football of 130,000 when East Bengal beat Mohun 4-1 in 1997.

Recently both sides battled out their 348^th fixture, 126 more than the Merseyside derby. Mohun Bagan are heralded nationwide as they are famous in India for being the first Indian side to defeat a European run team. They beat an East Yorkshire Regiment side in 1911. This victory is considered a key event in India's fight for independence and the anniversary of the game on the 29^th of July is recognised as 'Mohun Bagan Day'.

This rivalry was born in 1920, when a former board member of Mohun Bagan, formed East Bengal. The clubs first fixture came in 1925. The city's native population has tended to follow Mohun Bagan (similar to Rangers), with East Bengal’s support coming from immigrants (similar to Celtic) as Kolkata, formerly Calcutta develops on the world stage.

In their last match-up supporters clubs of both teams organised separate processions of fans to the game. The aim to avoid trouble and unrest at the venue both clubs share – The Salt Lake Stadium. This unfortunately did not prevent opposition fans from throwing smoke bombs and other objects at each other. Riot Police had to come in to ease the tension as supporters entered and exited the stadium. East Bengal ran out 3-2 winners and extended their dominance in the fixture with 128 wins to Mohun Began’s 96 victories.