NationStates Jolt Archive

What are your favorite rivalries to watch? Which ones involve your teams? Which ones have you participated in?


Being a Bears fan, the main rivalry I witness annually is the Bears-Packers rivalry. The two teams first met during the 2nd season of the NFL in 1921. Since then, they have played each other more than any other team and have a combined 21 NFL Championships.

The rivalry began under Halas and Lambeau. It grew to become much more heated during the Halas-Lombardi years. The rivalry reached new heights as Mike Ditka led the Bears against Forrest Gregg's Packers. The two men flat out despised each other.

It was during one of those games in 1986 that Charles Martin picked up Jim McMahon following a play and body slammed him to the turf. McMahon never fully recovered from the separated shoulder. The Bears would spend the next 20 years with a revolving door at the QB position. Rex Grossman is still the best answer the Bears have found. The 1986 play also destroyed the Bears chances of repeating during that season. Flutie sucked balls in the playoffs.

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Another big rivalry I have witnessed is the annual November battle between the Maize and Blue ane the Scarlet and Grey. The rivalry began before the two schools played each other in football. The Toledo War of the 1830s sparked a rivalry between Michigan and Ohio that still continues today. Whenever Michigan and Ohio State take the field, the two fans of each side go all out.

I spend some years living in Ann Arbor and have been to many of the Michigan-OSU games. I have seen the two schools battle against each other at both the Big House and the Horseshoe. Nothing can rival this war. Both ESPN and Fox Sports Net have claimed this is the #1 rivalry in American sports.

The game often decides Big 10 Championships and has also been the ultimate test for would be national championship teams. Fans of OSU bitterly recall the beginning of the "10 Years War" when in 1969 Michigan under new head coach Bo Schembeckler (may he rest in peace) defeated the #1 ranked Buckeyes at Ann Arbor.

For the next 10 years, Bo and Woody (who were actually quite friendly with each other) fought against eachother.

In 2000, head coach John Cooper was fired by OSU. He was a very good coach who led many top 10 teams. He was fired for the simple reason that he was only 2-10-1 against Michigan. That is how much the rivalry means to the schools and the fans.

Bears? Packers? *smiles politely, nods*

Oxford vs Cambridge is what has been the dividing point of world politics for the past 750 years (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxbridge_rivalry)

Cambridge FTW!

"Gary Neville is a red, is a red, is a red, Gary Neville is a red, he hates scoursers"

Says it all really. I've yet to find a sporting rivalry, with the exception of Barca/Madrid, Lazio/Roma, Sevilla/Betis and a south american rvialry that escapes memory, that quite rivals that of United /Liverpool for sheer vitriol, zealotry and passion.

England/Australia at anything gets a mention as well.

Broncos-Raiders. Awesome.

a south american rvialry that escapes memory,



Boca Vs River Plate, now thats a rivalry! I manged to get ticket to the Superclásico at La Bombonera when I was in Argentina, best game I ever went to.........

any of the original 6 in NHL

BU/BC hockey

Beanpot teams

[QUOTE=The blessed Chris;12874931]a south american rvialry that escapes memory,
QUOTE]


Boca Vs River Plate, now thats a rivalry!

Was it from that that a fan had a penis tatooed on his back from a rival club's tatooist? I'm sure I remember something of the sort.:D

[QUOTE=Callang Provinces;12874942]

Was it from that that a fan had a penis tatooed on his back from a rival club's tatooist? I'm sure I remember something of the sort.:D

Don't remember that, don't think you'd find a River fan with a tattoo or as a tattooist but then that’s coming from a Boca fan.

Lincoln City/Scunthorpe

Scotland vs. England Rugby.

Lincoln City/Scunthorpe

"Who put the **** in Scunthorpe?"; best football chant ever.:p

The Leafs and the Habs....greatest Hockey rivalry EVER!!!

I can't watch my favorite rivalries anymore since the NFL realigned their divisions. My Seattle Seahawks vs. both the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders were great rivalries. Even though we're no longer in the same conference, I still hate the Raiders and Broncos (though I was happy to see Elway get his rings -- he deserved them).

Being a Seattle pro sports fan, my rivalries are effectively with the rest of whatever league we're in, except for the NBA. The Seattle SuperSonics vs. the Portland Trailblazers ("Sonics-Blazers", more economically) is a mild rivalry, but it was much better in the 80s and 90s when Portland had teams. Now that both cities' teams stink on ice, nobody cares anymore -- besides, the Sonics will be in Oklahoma City by the 2008-2009 season, Kevin Durant notwithstanding.

Brentford vs QPR

always a laugh!

"Who put the **** in Scunthorpe?"; best football chant ever.:p

Almost a good as that Chant to grimsby that one shall not repeat here

Almost a good as that Chant to grimsby that one shall not repeat here

I always liked "Same old English, Always Cheating!" who said chants weren't true...........

Newcastle and Scumderland.

Oxford vs Cambridge is what has been the dividing point of world politics for the past 750 years (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxbridge_rivalry)

Cambridge FTW!

/thread

Clearly, I have no personal involvement in this rivalry at all, so am completely unbiased.

Cambridge FTW!!

Scotland vs. England Rugby.

I think that goes for all the Celtic nations and England really. Come to think of it, England have tense rivalries with most countries. But speaking from my biased point of view I think it's strongest with the Celtic countries, particularly in rugby.

Come to think of it, England have tense rivalries with most countries.

Tells you something don't it............

Boca Vs River Plate, now thats a rivalry! I manged to get ticket to the Superclásico at La Bombonera when I was in Argentina, best game I ever went to.........

Or Flamengo Vs Fluminense in Rio, or São Paulo vs Corinthians in São Paulo, or (More specific to where I live) Grenal - Gremio vs Internacional in Porto Alegre.

There are more such rivalries here in Brazil, but these are the ones that come immediately to mind.

The Gremio vs Internacional rivalry is such that during the final of the Libertadores recently there were thousands of Brazilian fans of Internacional cheering for Boca Juniors, an Argentinian team, just because they were playing against Gremio.

New Zealand vs Australia at anything.

NHL:
Canucks vs Flames
Int'l:
Canucks vs Americans

That said, I prefer that the Americans don't make it far enough to play us. I'd rather see the Russians in the finals with us.

For me it's Blazers (my guys... Go B-Roy, Judge Greg!!), Lakers (Kobe must die!!!). There is no rivalry more bitter on the west coast for me but that.

NHL:
Canucks vs Flames
Int'l:
Canucks vs Americans

That said, I prefer that the Americans don't make it far enough to play us. I'd rather see the Russians in the finals with us.

Eh. It probably helps when *both* sides bother to tune in to the game, rather than just the one. ;)

As for rivalries, I guess my favorites are:

Cubs/Cards
Bulls/Pistons (though that's probably over now)
Bears/Packers
Yankess/Red Sox (I don't like either team, but it's fun) :p

I think one of the greatest rivalries in sports has to be India v. Pakistan (Cricket), in fact why hasn't anyone put that down yet? There's over a billion people that are waiting/watching to find out who will win, and then everything get's really insane. The winning team goes home as national heros, and the losers go home as wanted men. There's riots on the streets, player's houses being attacked (these aren't good things of course, but they do show the intensity of the rivalry), lots of coverage, nations taking a day off from work, and leaders from both countries show up for the matches. Now that's a great rivalry!

Melbourne Victory vs Sydney FC or Adelaide United.

Man U v Liverpool (football)
Ranger v Celtic (football)
Glentoran v Linflied (football)
The Battle of the Roses LANCASHIRE v yorkshire (cricket)
Northern Ireland (the best team in Ireland) v Republic of Ireland(football)

I think that goes for all the Celtic nations and England really. Come to think of it, England have tense rivalries with most countries. But speaking from my biased point of view I think it's strongest with the Celtic countries, particularly in rugby.

I support two teams in the Six Nations, Wales, and whoever's playing England.

Eagles - Cowboys.

Flyers - Rangers.

I may support Philly sports. . . . .

"Gary Neville is a red, is a red, is a red, Gary Neville is a red, he hates scoursers"

Says it all really. I've yet to find a sporting rivalry, with the exception of Barca/Madrid, Lazio/Roma, Sevilla/Betis and a south american rvialry that escapes memory, that quite rivals that of United /Liverpool for sheer vitriol, zealotry and passion.

England/Australia at anything gets a mention as well.

New fan huh?

Newcastle and Scumderland.

Toon army! We get to send them crashing back down this season, too. Happy days! (Even if Michael Chopra has joined ze enemy...)

Or Flamengo Vs Fluminense in Rio, or São Paulo vs Corinthians in São Paulo, or (More specific to where I live) Grenal - Gremio vs Internacional in Porto Alegre.

There are more such rivalries here in Brazil, but these are the ones that come immediately to mind.

The Gremio vs Internacional rivalry is such that during the final of the Libertadores recently there were thousands of Brazilian fans of Internacional cheering for Boca Juniors, an Argentinian team, just because they were playing against Gremio.

I cant believe it, not only you´re brazilian, but also from my state of RS.

Anyway, yes, biggest rivalry around here is definitaly Internacional vs Gremio. We (Inter) won the world Toyota championship last year, and this year Gremio almost got it but lost to Boca. Man, it was a relief.

Anyway, besides that, Brazil vs Argentina. And we won against them again today, 3x0. Argentina has not won a final against Brazil in 13 years.

Anyway, besides that, Brazil vs Argentina. And we won against them again today, 3x0. Argentina has not won a final against Brazil in 13 years.

Haha, I saw that own goal. Sucks to be him. :D

Toon army! We get to send them crashing back down this season, too. Happy days! (Even if Michael Chopra has joined ze enemy...)

Keano! Not onyl do we Mancs get to laugh at Newcastle, but Sunderland have got a better manager than you; Keano!:D

I support two teams in the Six Nations, Wales, and whoever's playing England.

pfsh, us real Welshmen do that in everything, not just the six nations:p

i hated Sunderland when Mc carthy was incharge but now Keano is the gaffer I like them. Fergies ex-players are doing well in the world of the managers

Vikes-Cheeseheads.

*puts on Viking helmet*

Packers Suck!

I always get a kick out of watching my Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers...especially since I'm a Minnesota transplant living less than 30 miles from ground zero of the land of FREAKIN CHEESE!!!!!! :mad:

Not the most illustrious of rivalries, to be sure, but it's the only one I have a vested interest in. :p

Other than that...I'll say Army/Navy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army-Navy_Game

Despite the fact that Army and Navy are no longer nationally competitive on a regular basis, the tradition of the game has ensured that it remains nationally televised to this day. Arguably, one of the great appeals of this game to many fans is that since few, if any, of the participants will ever play in the NFL, they're playing solely for the love of the game. Due to commitments to serve in their respective branches of the armed services after graduation, many players are simply deemed too old and or out of "playing shape" to even consider playing competitively again, much less in the professional ranks.

Any time it's for pride and not for money, I'm always up to watch. :)

EDIT: *points up* Hey, another Vikings fan!

NHL:
Canucks vs Flames

I'm surprised at that, considering I always thought the Flames' biggest rival was Edmonton and the Canucks' biggest rival was the same as ours (I am a Detroit fan living in the hockey cesspool known as Columbus, OH. The mismanagement and incompetence in Columbus makes me glad I stuck with the Red Wings.)

That said, I root for two NHL teams. Detroit, and whoever's playing Colorado. (Apologies to Y Ddraig-Goch for that, but is there a better way to put it?)

I'm surprised at that, considering I always thought the Flames' biggest rival was Edmonton and the Canucks' biggest rival was the same as ours (I am a Detroit fan living in the hockey cesspool known as Columbus, OH. The mismanagement and incompetence in Columbus makes me glad I stuck with the Red Wings.)

That said, I root for two NHL teams. Detroit, and whoever's playing Colorado. (Apologies to Y Ddraig-Goch for that, but is there a better way to put it?)
The Flames biggest rival is Edmonton. But the Canucks and Flames have a good rivalry.

The Canucks-Colorado rivalry is more.... Canucks getting pwnt by Colorado.

I always get a kick out of watching my Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers...especially since I'm a Minnesota transplant living less than 30 miles from ground zero of the land of FREAKIN CHEESE!!!!!! :mad:

Any time it's for pride and not for money, I'm always up to watch. :)

EDIT: *points up* Hey, another Vikings fan!

Which unfortunately is not that often any more. :(

How can you stand living that close to hell?

Which unfortunately is not that often any more. :(

It's not that bad...we swept them last season.

How can you stand living that close to hell?

It's a challenge...but I get by. :p

I enjoy the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox Rivalry IMMENSLY. While I understand why other sports fans hate the rivalry, I cannot. Living in CT, where the neighbors are completly divided on the issue, has made this rivalry excellent.

Oh, and not to mention Pedro throwing an old man on the ground. Classic.


My other favorite rivalry is The Game. It's just classic.

The Canucks-Colorado rivalry is more.... Canucks getting pwnt by Colorado.

I dunno...Vancouver made the playoffs and so did Detroit...and Colorado didn't. Sounds like the Av-Nots are the ones getting pwned.

It's not that bad...we swept them last season.



It's a challenge...but I get by. :p


Did you see the one a couple years ago that was won with a 50+ yard feild goal?

Did you see the one a couple years ago that was won with a 50+ yard feild goal?

That was two years ago, when the Packers beat us 38-35 in both regular season games, only to lose to us at Lambeau in the playoffs.

So then we stole their kicker...I freakin loved it! :D

For me, there is only one rivalry. It pits the forces of righteousness

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/47/MichiganWolverines.png

against the enemies of all that is good in this world

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2f/Ohio_State_Buckeyes_logo.png

I dunno...Vancouver made the playoffs and so did Detroit...and Colorado didn't. Sounds like the Av-Nots are the ones getting pwned.

Have you ever watched the Canucks play the Avalanche before? The Avalanche always win by a significant margin. I remember a 9-2 game a season or two ago.

(Even if Michael Chopra has joined ze enemy...)


http://photos-129.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v107/77/38/503601129/n503601129_90718_8709.jpg

:D

And those desperate cunts paid 10000% of his value.

Have you ever watched the Canucks play the Avalanche before? The Avalanche always win by a significant margin. I remember a 9-2 game a season or two ago.

If I remember correctly, that was the infamous Bertuzzi game...damn Detroit for signing that fucker. I was actually glad they didn't win this season.

Maybe they'll trade him to Colorado for a bag of cow manure, but Colorado might say the price is too high...

Liverpool versus... just about anyone really, you don't get to be the most successful club in the UK (and possibly Europe too, though we need a couple more Champions League wins for that I guess, comes of getting banned when we were trashing everyone) without making enemies by the bucket.

The United tie is always good though, win, lose or dive (who me? take the piss of Ronaldo?) it gets the blood moving :D

England-Argentina is the big international grudge-match for me. First World Cup I ever watched we went out to them in the quarters (and I still say Sol Campbell scored the winner). Between that and 1986...

Shouldn't Engladn's grudge match really be against the referee? ;)

My two favorite teams are Nevada and who ever is playing UNLV.

Besides, gotta love a rivalry that plays for a canon.

I cant believe it, not only you´re brazilian, but also from my state of RS.

Anyway, yes, biggest rivalry around here is definitaly Internacional vs Gremio. We (Inter) won the world Toyota championship last year, and this year Gremio almost got it but lost to Boca. Man, it was a relief.

Anyway, besides that, Brazil vs Argentina. And we won against them again today, 3x0. Argentina has not won a final against Brazil in 13 years.

Não sou Brasileiro, sou Inglês radicado no Brasil (Quase POA - 30kms N no BR116)

My two favorite teams are Nevada and who ever is playing UNLV.

Besides, gotta love a rivalry that plays for a canon.

I rather enjoy the Axe Stanford and Cal play for.

Finland / Sweden icehockey.
I fired our Swedish aupair during a Finland v Sweden game cause he was being cocky about winning.

Oxford / Cambridge boat race.

Celtic / Rangers football.
The old firm games are just awesome to go and see.

I rather enjoy the Axe Stanford and Cal play for.
But you can't shoot people with an ax (Whereas people have actually gotten shot by the Fremont Cannon).

But you can't shoot people with an ax (Whereas people have actually gotten shot by the Fremont Cannon).

Yes, but what about the Immortal 21? The most EPIC trophy steal of all time?

For the next 31 years, the Axe stayed in Berkeley as a prize of conquest. In 1930, twenty-one Stanford students plotted to take back the Axe from Cal. This group became known in Stanford lore as the Immortal 21; Cal partisans call them the Immoral 21.

Cal's protection of the Axe at the time was intense — it was kept in a Berkeley bank vault and brought out, in an armored car, only for spring baseball and Big Game rallies. The Stanford group decided that their best chance would be right after the spring Axe rally, held that year on April 3 at Cal's Greek Theatre.

After the rally, four Stanford students posing as photographers temporarily blinded Norm Horner, the Grand Custodian of the Axe, with camera flashes. In the subsequent scuffle, the Stanford students grabbed the Axe while several others disguised as Cal students tossed a tear gas (or smoke, depending on account) bomb at the Cal students who guarded it. The Axe was taken to one of three cars which sped off in different directions. Several other Stanford students (disguised as Cal students) further delayed attempts to recover the Axe by organizing a search party away from the direction of the getaway cars. Although several of the raiders were caught, the Axe made it back to Stanford where it was paraded around the campus.

Scotland vs. England Rugby.

Scotland Vs England in any capacity: Rugby, football, darts, tiddly-winks......

Yes, but what about the Immortal 21? The most EPIC trophy steal of all time?
Ah, but after the first win of the cannon, the Wolf Pack coach and players managed to convince security at McCarran Intl. to let them CARRY the cannon home ON THE PLANE!

Yes, a working cannon on an airplane. How could you not love that?

Liverpool versus... just about anyone really, you don't get to be the most successful club in the UK (and possibly Europe too, though we need a couple more Champions League wins for that I guess, comes of getting banned when we were trashing everyone) without making enemies by the bucket.

The United tie is always good though, win, lose or dive (who me? take the piss of Ronaldo?) it gets the blood moving :D



At least he's vaguely convincing. See Gerrard getting shot by an unseen sniper against Bolton (shortly after he'd made a public statement against diving) or Kromkamp perfecting his high dive technique. If you're going to do it at least be half decent at it.

United v. Liverpool and England v. Scotland