A sports rivalry is intense competition between athletic teams or athletes, affecting participants, management, and supporters all to varying degrees.
One of the first known sports rivalries occurred in the Roman Empire between the Blues and the Greens, and the minor teams of the Reds and Whites, each of which were chariot racing clubs competing at the Hippodrome in Constantinople. The rivalry took on political tones as well, coming close to deposing the Roman emperor Justinian I in Nika riots and the suppression of the riot killed tens of thousands of people.
Owners have been known to encourage rivalries as they tend to improve game attendance and television ratings for rivalry matches. Clubs can reduce fan aggression surrounding rivalry games by acknowledging rather than downplaying the conflict because the rivalry is an integral part of fan identity.
Games between two rivals that are based in areas of close geographical proximity are often known as a local derby, or simply just a derby ( , ); a sporting event between two teams from the same town, city or region. In modern usage the term is usually connected with association football and the media and supporters will often refer to this fixture as "Derby Day". However, and unsurprisingly, the first recorded use of the term was to refer to major provincial horse races from a time when the Epsom Epsom Derby, was not only England’s major sporting event but also a huge social occasion.
For example, the Western Times, 2 June 1860, refers to a race meeting at Haldon, Exeter, as their "local Derby Day." The Hull Packet, 31 May 1861, calls the Beverley, Hull and East Riding Races "our local Derby." It would appear that the term was already in use elsewhere in the world - The Ballarat Star (Victoria, Australia), 6 December 1860 edition, mentions that races in Dowling Forest were "the local Derby day."
The metaphor evidently seeped into common usage, as non-racing events also earned the epithet. An athletic club fete in Croydon (Norwood News, 22 May 1869), a rowing regatta at Bathgate, Scotland (Lothian Courier, 26 September 1874) and even a hotly-contested local government election (Croydon Advertiser, 27 February 1875) were all described as a local Derby.
As club football (Rugby and Association codes) gained popularity in the 1870s and 1880s the phrase migrated to that pastime. The Preston Herald of 14 March 1883 said of a fixture between Low Moor and Clitheroe that "when it becomes known that the clubs are likely to meet, popular feeling runs high - so high, in fact, that the occasional is recognised as the local Derby day".
The Epsom Derby being an annual event, early usage tended to refer only to the biggest occasion of the year in a certain location - the Widnes Weekly News (16 March 1889) was moved to describe a match between Widnes FC and the touring New Zealand Native touring rugby team as "the great day of the season at Widnes - the local Derby." However, in football terms, the emphasis in the phrase had already shifted from the Derby aspect (a red letter day in the sporting or social calendar) to the local element - any football match involving nearby clubs, no matter how relatively unimportant the fixture might otherwise be. Hence the Burnley Express (15 December 1888) felt able to report that "for three weeks in succession the Langroyd team will be engaged in local "Derbies." First of all, Union Star; then Nelson, at Seed Hill; and afterwards Brierfield at Colne."
In rugby football, an early example of the term for that code appears in the Wigan Observer of 11 December 1885 which noted that "the local "Derby" in the football circles of Pemberton was brought off on Saturday last, when Highfield and Pemberton met."
Since at least as early as 1840 'derby' has been used as a noun in English to denote any kind of sporting contest. Other names for derbies include Clásicos in certain parts of the world and crosstown rivalries in the United States.
The intensity of the rivalry can range anywhere from a light hearted banter to serious violence. A rivalry that gets out of control can lead to fighting, hooliganism, and some instances with career-ending and even fatal consequences. In the "Football War", along with other factors, it was suggested to have been the tipping point in leading to military conflicts.
Rivalries do not always stem from the sharing of an area. Hostilities can occur for different reasons, such as in the case of El Clásico with tensions between fans with a background of political differences. Frequent meetings in important games between teams can also lead to unpleasantries.
International rivalries
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Australia–England sports rivalries
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India–Pakistan sports rivalries
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Australia–New Zealand sports rivalries
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Australia–United States sports rivalries
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Canada–United States sports rivalries
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Japan–South Korea sports rivalries
Association football
Athletics
Individual
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["One of the great British rivalries was in evidence at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe battled it out twice in the 800 metres and 1500 metres."] |
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Eliud Kipchoge | Kenenisa Bekele | 2012–present | | |
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P. T. Usha | Lydia de Vega | Sprinting | 1980s | | |
Jakob Ingebrigtsen | Josh Kerr | Middle-distance running | 2023–present | | |
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Elaine Thompson-Herah | Sprinting | 2015–present | | |
Team
Australian rules football
Badminton
Individuals
International
bandy">
Bandy
In Swedish bandy, derby games are often played on Saint Stephen's Day.
baseball">
Baseball
Dominican Republic
Dominican Professional Baseball League
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Águilas Cibaeñas from Santiago de los Caballeros vs. Tigres del Licey from Santo Domingo on a game named “El Clásico Dominicano.”
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Santo Domingo rivals: Leones del Escogido vs. Tigres del Licey
Japan
Nippon Professional Baseball
Central League
Pacific League
Mixture
South Korea
KBO League
Taiwan
Chinese Professional Baseball League
Mexico
Mexican Baseball League
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Diablos Rojos del México (Mexico City Red Devils) vs. Tigres de Quintana Roo (Tigers) on a game named "Civil War Derby" ("Guerra Civil" in Spanish).
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Saraperos de Saltillo (Saltillo Sarapemakers) vs. Vaqueros Laguna on a game named "Coahuila's Metropolitan Derby" ("Clásico metropolitano de Coahuila" in Spanish).
[http://www.vanguardia.com.mx/saraperosvsvaquerosenunsolojuegoportodoonada-2138293.html ("Saraperos vs Vaqueros en un solo juego por todo o nada")]
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Pericos de Puebla (Puebla Parrots) vs. Rojos del Águila de Veracruz (Veracruz Red Eagles) on a game named "Center rivalry" ("Rivalidad del centro" in Spanish).
[http://www.noventaminutos.mx/aguila-vs-pericos-puebla-quiere-revancha-despues-de-haber-perdido-en-veracruz/ ("Águila vs Pericos... Puebla quiere revancha después de haber perdido en Veracruz.")]
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Diablos Rojos del México (Mexico City Red Devils) vs. Péricos de Puebla (Puebla Parrots) on a game named "Anahuac Derby" ("Clásico de Ánahuac" in Spanish).
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Saraperos de Saltillo (Saltillo Sarapemakers) vs. Sultanes de Monterrey (Monterrey Sultans) on a game named "North of Mexico Derby" ("Clásico del Norte" in Spanish).
Mexican Pacific League
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Naranjeros de Hermosillo (Hermosillo Orange Growers) vs. Tomateros de Culiacán (Culiacan Tomato Growers) on a game named "Derby of the Pacific Coast" ("Clásico del Pacífico" in Spanish).
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Charros de Jalisco (Jalisco Charros) vs. Venados de Mazatlán (Mazatlan Deers) on a game named "Rivalry of the west" ("Rivalidad de Occidente" in Spanish).
United States/Canada
Major League Baseball
Minor League Baseball
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Mercer Cup: Bluefield Blue Jays vs. Princeton Rays
[Vice World of Sports S02 Ep06: Rivals: The Mercer Cup, Release Date: 29 March 2017 (USA)]
Venezuela
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
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Leones del Caracas (Caracas Lions) vs. Navegantes del Magallanes (Magellan Navigators)
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Leones del Caracas (Caracas Lions) vs. Tiburones de La Guaira (La Guaira Sharks)
basketball">
Basketball
Argentina
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Ferro Carril Oeste vs Atenas
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San Lorenzo vs Ferro Carril Oeste
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San Lorenzo vs Boca Juniors
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G.E.P.U. vs Atenas
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Clásico porteño: Obras Sanitarias vs Ferro Carril Oeste
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Argentinian derby: Peñarol vs Quilmes
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Córdoba Derby: Atenas vs Instituto
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San Nicolás derby: Belgrano vs Regatas
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Bahía Blanca derby: Estudiantes (BB) vs Club Olimpo
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Corrientes derby: Regatas Corrientes vs San Martín
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Santiago del Estero derby: Club Ciclista Olímpico vs Quimsa
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Sunchales derby: Libertad vs Unión de Sunchales
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Santa Fe derby: Colón vs Unión
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This is also a football rivalry.
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General Pico derby: Independiente vs Pico Football Club
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La Pampa derby: All Boys vs Estudiantes (SR)
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Paraná derby: Atlético Echagüe vs Juventud Sionista
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Firmat derby: Argentino vs Firmat Foot Ball Club
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Junín derby: Argentino de Junín vs Club Ciclista Juninense
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Tres Arroyos derby: Huracán de Tres Arroyos vs Costa Sud
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Comodoro Rivadavia derby: Gimnasia (CR) vs Federación Deportiva
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Pergamino derby: Gimnasia vs Argentino (P)
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Clásico de la Comarca: Deportivo Viedma vs Atenas de Patagones
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Clásico Uruguayense: Tomás de Rocamora vs Parque Sur
Australia
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The Derby of Distance: Perth Wildcats vs New Zealand Breakers
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Although this rivalry is actually an international rivalry, it plays out within the Australia-based National Basketball League. The Breakers have been an NBL member from the league's formation.
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Melbourne United vs Sydney Kings
Croatia
China
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Northeastern Derby: Liaoning Flying Leopards vs Jilin Northeast Tigers
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Beijing Derby: Beijing Ducks vs Beijing Royal Fighters
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Chinese Classic: Beijing Ducks vs Guangdong Southern Tigers
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Derby of Champions: Liaoning Flying Leopards vs Guangdong Southern Tigers
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Battle of the Dynasties: Bayi Rockets vs Guangdong Southern Tigers
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Guangdong Derby: Shenzhen Leopards vs Guangdong Southern Tigers
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Xinjiang Flying Tigers vs Guangdong Southern Tigers
Guangdong has 11 CBA league titles, more than any other team in history, so it is very evident that they would have a lot of rivalries within the CBA.
France
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Le Classique: Pau-Orthez vs Limoges CSP
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Greater Paris Derby: Nanterre vs Metropolitans 92
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Alsace-Lorraine Derby: Nancy vs SIG Strasbourg
Germany
Greece
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Derby of the eternal enemies: Panathinaikos vs. Olympiacos
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Derby of Northern Greece: Aris vs. PAOK
Hong Kong
These are active Hong Kong A1 rivalries:
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Derby of Classics: South China vs. Winling
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South-East Clash: Eastern vs. South China
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Winling-Eastern Rivalry: Winling vs. Eastern
These are high school sports rivalries, but are primarily contested in basketball:
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Diocesan Boys School vs. Ying Wa College
Israel
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Tel Aviv derby: Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Hapoel Tel Aviv
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Derby of Israel: Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Hapoel Jerusalem
Italy
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Bologna Derby: Fortitudo Bologna vs Virtus Bologna
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Lombardy Derby: Olimpia Milano vs Varese vs Cantù
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Veneto Derby: Treviso vs Reyer Venezia
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Rome Derby: Virtus Roma vs Stella Azzurra Roma
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Piedmont Derby: Auxilium Torino vs Biella vs Junior Casale
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Via Emilia Derby: Reggiana vs Fortitudo Bologna or Virtus Bologna
Japan
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Tohoku Derby (basketball): Akita Northern Happinets vs Sendai 89ers
Korea Republic
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S-Derby: Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Seoul SK Knights
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Daegu Derby: Daegu KOGAS Pegasus vs Goyang Orion Orions
Lebanon
Lithuania
North Macedonia
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Skopje basketball derby: Rabotnički vs. MZT Skopje
Philippines
Philippine Basketball Association
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SMC–MVP rivalry: Teams under the San Miguel Corporation vs. Teams under the Manny V. Pangilinan Group
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Manila Clasico: Barangay Ginebra vs. Magnolia
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Sibling Rivalry: Barangay Ginebra vs. San Miguel
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Barangay Ginebra vs Meralco Bolts (Barangay Ginebra–Meralco rivalry)
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Barangay Ginebra vs. TNT
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Magnolia vs. Rain or Shine
Historical
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Crispa Redmanizers vs. Toyota
Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League
College basketball
UAAP
NCAA Philippines
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Arellano vs. San Beda (Arellano–San Beda rivalry)
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Battle of Intramuros
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Letran vs. Lyceum
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Letran vs. Mapúa
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Lyceum vs. Mapúa
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JRU vs. San Sebastian (JRU–San Sebastian rivalry)
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San Beda vs. Letran (San Beda–Letran rivalry)
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San Beda vs. Perpetual (San Beda–Perpetual rivalry)
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San Beda vs. San Sebastian (San Beda–San Sebastian rivalry)
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San Sebastian vs. Letran (San Sebastian–Letran rivalry)
CESAFI
Poland
Russia
Slovenia
Serbia
Spain
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El Clásico: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
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Basque derby: Saski Baskonia vs. Bilbao Basket,
can also include GBC
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Canary Islands derby: Canarias vs Gran Canaria
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Madrid derby: Real Madrid vs CB Estudiantes
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Catalan derby: Joventut vs Barcelona
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Andalusian derby: Málaga vs Real Betis
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Galician derby: Obradoiro CAB vs Breogán, can also include Ourense or Coruña
Taiwan
Taiwan Professional Basketball League
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New Taipei Series (Xinzhuang Derby): New Taipei CTBC DEA vs New Taipei Kings
Turkey
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Istanbul Derby: Galatasaray vs Fenerbahçe, can also include Darüşşafaka, Anadolu Efes, Istanbul BB and Beşiktaş
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Ankara Derby: Türk Telekom vs TED Ankara Kolejliler
United Kingdom
United States and Canada
National Basketball Association
Individuals
bobsleigh">
Bobsleigh
bodybuilding">
Bodybuilding
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[Claiming his title was stolen, an emotional Oliva challenged Schwarzenegger to a posedown at the 1973 Mr. International and to a weightlifting contest on TV's The Tomorrow Show, but the future California governor kept his cool and declined both duels. The Myth and the Oak's Nixon-era rivalry remains one of the greatest in bodybuilding history.] |
[ Digital Muscle Media: Where are They Now? Lenda Murray] |
boxing">
Boxing
Individual
Team
chess">
Chess
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[[College sport|College sports
cricket">
Cricket
International
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The Ashes (Test cricket) | [http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rugby/10/06/11/RUGBYU_Australia_Nightlead.html ] |
Bangladesh–India cricket rivalry (Overall) | |
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Richards-Botham Trophy (Test cricket) | |
Border–Gavaskar Trophy (Test cricket) India–Australia cricket rivalry (Overall) | |
| | 1999–present | | |
| | 2019–present | Benaud–Qadir Trophy (Test cricket) | |
| | 2024–present | Crowe–Thorpe Trophy (Test cricket) | |
Bangladesh–Sri Lanka cricket rivalry (Overall) | |
| | 2024–present | Tangiwai Shield (Test cricket) | |
Domestic
Australia
Bangladesh
England
India
New Zealand
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
cue_sports">
Cue sports
curling">
Curling
cycling">
Cycling
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["Pictures of Coppi and Bartali are seen just as often. They hang in cycling shops, butcher shops, banks and shoe stores. The images and what they stood for have not been forgotten. The riders once divided the country, and they held social and political significance."] |
["Cycling is not supposed to be a contact sport. Wrestling, yes. Rugby, yes. Cycling, no. But on a July afternoon in 1964, two Frenchmen rode up a mountain in a way unseen before or since. They literally went shoulder to shoulder, riding side by side, leaning into each other, neither yielding, in a tumultuous battle for supremacy that would decide the outcome of the 51st Tour de France."] |
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["'Slaying the Badger' (film documentary (2014) makes crystal clear that Hinault totally betrayed LeMond in his pursuit of an elusive sixth Tour de France title,"] |
["Ah, I remember you: you're the guy who lost the Tour de France by eight seconds! No, monsieur, I'm the guy who won the Tour twice."] |
["Obree's early career was marked by his rivalry with Englishman Chris Boardman in the mid-1990s. But for Obree to reach that position to challenge the Olympic gold medal winner was a victory of determination over adversity."] |
[ Saronni-Moser – La sfida continua (1991) by Beppe Conti (VHS 60 min publishing by Logos for La Gazzetta dello Sport)][Moser-Saronni rivalry] |
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darts">
Darts
Diving
Esports
field_hockey">
Field hockey
[[Figure skating/" itemprop="url" title="Wiki: figure_skating">
<hr class="us2411627114">
<span class="us896110720 us1353177739">[[Figure skating">figure_skating">
[[Figure skating
golf">
Golf
Gridiron football
American football
Individual
[[College football/" itemprop="url" title="Wiki: college_footba">
<hr class="us2411627114">
<span class="us3003804241 us1353177739">[[College football">college_footba">
[[College football
Mexico
ONEFA/CONADEIP (National College Association of American Football/National College Sports Commission of Private Institutions)
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Clásico Estudiantil (Student Derby): Pumas Dorados de la UNAM vs Águilas Blancas del IPN
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Clásico Estudiantil Regiomontano (Monterrey's Student Derby): Borregos Salvajes ITESM vs Auténticos Tigres
United States
Canada
Canadian football
gymnastics">
Gymnastics
handball">
Handball
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
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Liège derbies:
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Germanophone derby : HC Eynatten-Raeren vs. KTSV Eupen 1889
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Limburg derbies: HB Sint-Truiden vs. Initia HC Hasselt vs. United HC Tongeren vs. Achilles Bocholt vs. Sporting Neerpelt-Lommel vs. Kreasa HB Houthalen vs. DHC Meeuwen.
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Antwerp derbies: KV Sasja HC Hoboken vs. Olse Merksem HC vs. DHW Antwerpen vs. HV Uilenspiegel Wilrijk.
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Hainuyé derby: EHC Tournai vs. Entente du Centre CLH
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Flanders derby: HC DB Gent vs. HKW Waasmunster
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Brussels derby: HC Kraainem vs. United Brussels HC
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Charleroi derby: SHC Mont-sur-Marchienne vs. HBC Charleroi-Ransart
Croatia
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Zagreb derbies:
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RK Dubrava Zagreb vs. RK Medveščak Zagreb
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RK Zagreb vs. RK Medveščak Zagreb
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RK Dubrava Zagreb vs. RK Zagreb
Denmark
France
Germany
Israel
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Rishon LeZion derby: Hapoel Rishon LeZion vs. Maccabi Rishon LeZion
Hungary
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Hungarian derby: Veszprém vs. Szeged
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Ferencváros vs. Győri ETO
Macedonia
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Macedonian derby: RK Vardar Skopje vs. Pelister Bitola
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Skopje derby: RK Metalurg Skopje vs. Vardar
Poland
Lomza Vive Kielce vs. Orlen Wisla Plock
Portugal
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Derby de Lisboa: Sporting CP vs. Benfica
Romania
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Steaua București vs. Dinamo București
Russia
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Moscow : CSKA Moscow vs. MAI Moscow
Serbia
Slovenia
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Styrian derby: RK Maribor Branik vs. RK Celje Pivovarna Laško or RK Trimo Trebnje vs. RK Jeruzalem Ormož
Spain
Sweden
Ukraine
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Zaporizhzhia derby: HC ZTR Zaporizhzhia vs. HC Motor Zaporizhzhia
horse_racing">
Horse racing
ice_hockey">
Ice hockey
Multinational
Kontinental Hockey League
North America
National Hockey League
echl">
ECHL
Junior
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Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) vs. Wenatchee Wild (BCHL)
[http://m.columbiabasinherald.com/sports/hockey/wild/wild-leave-fairbanks-with-only-three-points/article_ae6734b6-124f-11e2-8cc0-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=jqm ]
Canadian Hockey League
College
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Air Force vs. Army
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Alaska vs. Alaska–Anchorage
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Battle for Pikes Peak: Air Force vs. Colorado College
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Battle for the Gold Pan: Colorado College vs. Denver
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Battle of Whitney Avenue: Quinnipiac vs. Yale
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BU-Maine Rivalry: Boston University vs. Maine
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Border Battle: Maine vs. New Hampshire
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Clarkson vs. St. Lawrence
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Cornell–Harvard rivalry: Cornell vs. Harvard
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Dartmouth–New Hampshire rivalry: Dartmouth vs. New Hampshire
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Green Line Rivalry: Boston College vs. Boston University
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Harvard–Yale rivalry: Harvard vs. Yale
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Holy War on Ice: Boston College vs. Notre Dame
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Michigan vs. Michigan State
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Michigan vs. Notre Dame
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Michigan vs. Ohio State
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Michigan Tech vs. Northern Michigan
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Minnesota vs. Wisconsin
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RPI vs. Union
Europe
Austria
Czech Republic
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Prague derby: Slavia Prague vs. Sparta Prague
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LHK Jestřábi Prostějov vs. AZ Havířov
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LHK Jestřábi Prostějov vs. Zubr Přerov
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LHK Jestřábi Prostějov vs. Draci Šumperk
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HC Olomouc vs. LHK Jestřábi Prostějov
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HC Pardubice vs. HC Hradec Králové
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HC Poruba vs. Zubr Přerov
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HC Vítkovice vs. Oceláři Třinec
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Sparta Prague vs. Rytíři Kladno
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VHK Vsetín vs. Berani Zlín
Finland
France
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Gothiques d'Amiens vs. Dragons de Rouen
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Brûleurs de Loups vs. Ours de Villard-de-Lans
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Diables Rouges de Briançon vs. Rapaces de Gap
Germany
Italy
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Hockey Club Torino vs. Hockey Club Valpellice
Norway
Poland
Romania
Slovakia
Sweden
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Stockholm derby – AIK IF vs. Hammarby Hockey vs. Djurgårdens IF
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Western derby – Färjestad vs. Frölunda
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Daladerby: Leksands IF vs. Mora IK
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Southwest derby: Rögle BK vs. Malmö Redhawks
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Västerbotten derby: IF Björklöven vs. Skellefteå AIK
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Timrå IK vs. IF Sundsvall
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Västernorrland derby: Timrå IK vs. Modo Hockey
Switzerland
United Kingdom
International
Individual
lacrosse">
Lacrosse
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[ Hopkins down, but not out; If Blue Jays can get to .500, there's a chance they could compete in NCAA tournament, The Baltimore Sun, 27 April 2010.][ HOPKINS RAPS LOYOLA, 19–1; Lacrosse Game Mismatch From Start To Finish , The Baltimore Sun, 1 May 1963.][ Loyola conquers Hopkins hex , The Baltimore Sun, p. 1C, 8 May 1994.] |
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luge">
Luge
Mixed martial arts
Other martial arts
lethwei">
Lethwei
judo">
Judo
sumo">
Sumo
motorsport">
Motorsport
Manufacturers, cars, teams
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International Championship for Sports Cars 24 Hours of Le Mans | |
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Porsche 917 | Ferrari 512 | International Championship for Makes | 1969–1971 | | |
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[V8 Supercars boss Tony Cochrane says the Holden-Ford battle – perhaps Australia's most entrenched sporting rivalry – is less relevant to the sport than ever before.] |
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Drivers and riders
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Barney Oldfield | Ralph DePalma | American Championship Car Racing | 1908–1918 | | |
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Art Arfons | Walt Arfons | Land speed record | 1952–1966 | | |
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["'The rivalry with Pearson was strictly trying to beat each other,' Petty said. 'There were no confrontations or anything. With Allison, it got to be more personal. We got into personal arguments. You didn't need to with Pearson.'"]["Surpassing these and others is a rivalry forged not so much out of jealousy or bitterness, as much as it was two giants immersed in a supreme struggle for supremacy, because winning is the name of the game. To this observer, the greatest NASCAR rivalry of all time was the ongoing tussle between the man they called "The King," and the ever sly "Silver Fox."] |
Jim Clark | Graham Hill | Formula One | 1962–1967 | | |
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[He won what many historians consider to be the greatest Isle of Man race of all time, the 1967 Senior TT. That event pitted him against archrival Giacomo Agostini. "Ago," on the MV Agusta, faced off against "Mike the Bike," on the blazingly fast but ill-handling four-cylinder Honda.] |
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["The feud reached a boiling point during the final three laps of a 1972 race at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway. Petty was leading on Lap 367 when Allison drove low to make a pass. Petty cut him off, using another car to block."] |
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[A great rivalry existed at the height of Sheene's career between him and American racing legend Kenny Roberts. A big show was sometimes made of the pair's battles, which was depicting as a bitter fight between two racers who almost hated one another.] |
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["This rivalry was defined by the last lap of the 1979 Daytona 500. Cale Yarborough was fighting Donnie Allison for the lead when, as Yarborough recalls, he was shoved into the infield grass. He somehow steered his car back onto the track and slammed into the side of Allison's car, spinning both out."] |
["The hatred Allison and Yarborough shared for Waltrip was no secret in the garage. "We had been friends, and I had helped him early in his career," Allison said. "In fact, I had built cars for him before he got into the Winston Cup stuff. But he didn't want to be friends. It just kept us from cooperating on any kind of an effort that would have been good for both of us.""] |
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Alan Jones | Nelson Piquet | Formula One | 1980–1981 | | |
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[Rainey's intense rivalry with fellow American and 1993 world champ Kevin Schwantz was the stuff of legends. Their careers progressed together as did their mutual hatred of each other and whether it was in American national races, the Transatlantic Trophy in England or the GPs, they only cared about beating each other, even if that meant coming last and second last.] |
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Prost–Senna rivalry | ["How Formula One today could do with a rivalry as bitter and compelling as this one. Two of the greatest drivers of all time, pitted repeatedly against one another. Stylistically they were different, but essentially it was personal."][Foyt and Andretti were never friends, but neither were they enemies. Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, by way of contrast, were oil and water. Or maybe gunpowder and a match is a more apt characterization. Their relationship was contentious enough while they were on separate teams, but paired together at the height of McLaren's F1 supremacy, they formed the ugliest – and most perversely compelling – rivalry in motorsports history.] |
[Alone at the top – For 2000, Millen's biggest rival, Nobuhiro Tajima will not be competing in the Unlimited Class. Instead, Tajima will bring a new vehicle to the Pikes Peak Open Class. While the overall title is still up for grabs, the six-year rivalry for the class title has ended.] |
[That tussle of 1994 between Russell and Fogarty was the making of the sport as a spectacle that could attract millions. The Brit vs Yank, hard-knock lad vs spoilt brat head-to-head the media constructed around the 1994 season guaranteed an unprecedented level of exposure for Superbikes.] |
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[Which is why Jeff Gordon's arrival in the early '90s caused so much controversy and soul-searching about the fundamental nature of the sport.] |
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Carlos Sainz | Colin McRae | World Rally Championship | 1995 | | |
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Sébastien Loeb | Marcus Grönholm | World Rally Championship | 1999–2007 | | |
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[The comparisons are inevitable. Both are Italian; both are multitime world champions fighting for the MotoGP title, as well as the favor of the mercurial and powerful Italian press. Their every move is studied, forcing both to seek refuge in foreign countries.] |
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[The season as teammates for rookie Hamilton and defending 2005 and 2006 world champion Alonso ended in the latter's bitter departure from the McLaren team amid conflicts with the team hierarchy with regards to involvement in Spygate and blocking Hamilton in qualifying at one event. The feud also saw drivers take points off each other to allow Kimi Räikkönen and Scuderia Ferrari to come from behind to win by a solitary point over both. The two are yet to contest a world championship finale against each other since.] |
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Kimi Räikkönen | Robert Kubica | Formula One | 2006–2009, 2019 | | |
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[Vettel won four world titles in a row between 2010 and 2013 at Red Bull, with Alonso finishing second on three occasions – two of the titles narrowly won in finales, denying Alonso his third title. Then as Alonso left Scuderia Ferrari in late 2014, Vettel signed for the team as his replacement. The rivalry was fierce, yet respectful with few on-track clashes.] |
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Jake Hill | Tom Ingram | Ginetta Junior
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Sébastien Loeb | Sébastien Ogier | World Rally Championship | 2011 | | |
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[The two teammates at Mercedes were involved in several spats during the 2014 to 2016 seasons, fighting over the Drivers' Championship. ] |
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Jolyon Palmer | Felipe Nasr | GP2 Series Formula One | 2014–2017 | | |
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[Reigning MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi says he is looking forward to renewing his rivalry with former foe Sete Gibernau in the 2009 MotoGP world championship.] |
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[[Mountaineering and
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Costa Rica
France
Ireland
Italy
Spain
New Zealand
Poland
United Kingdom
International Rugby Union
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| | 1871 to present | History of rugby union matches between England and Scotland
Calcutta Cup | |
| | 1933 to present | History of rugby union matches between Australia and South Africa | |
| | 1924 to present | History of rugby union matches between Fiji and Samoa | |
Sailing
Short-track speed skating
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Skiing
Alpine skiing
Biathlon
Cross-country skiing
Ski jumping
Motorcycle Speedway
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Surfing
Swimming
[[Tennis (Open era only)/" itemprop="url" title="Wiki: Tennis">Tennis
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["Tennis has thrown up more than its fair share of compelling rivalries, but none compares with this perfect contrast of talent and temperament. Bjorn Borg: brilliant baseliner, cool Swede, unflappable and sexy. John McEnroe: sublime volleyer, brash New Yorker, volatile."] |
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["If Borg v McEnroe was brief but glorious this was protracted and nearly as good. Again there was the contrast in styles, but this time between two players who dominated for more than a decade."] |
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volleyball">
Volleyball
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Misurata derby: Al-Sweihli vs. Al-Etihad Misurata
Philippines
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F2 Logistics Cargo Movers vs. Petron Blaze Spikers (defunct)
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BaliPure Purest Water Defenders vs. Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors (defunct)
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Creamline Cool Smashers vs. Petro Gazz Angels (rivalry)
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Choco Mucho Flying Titans vs. Creamline Cool Smashers
South Korea
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V-Classic match: Daejeon Samsung Fire Bluefangs vs. Cheonan Hyundai Capital Skywalkers
Turkey
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Eczacıbaşı vs. VakıfBank S.K.
Vietnam
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Bộ Tư lệnh Thông tin - FLC vs. VTV Bình Điền Long An
See also
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Nationalism and sport
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Politics and sports
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Sociology of sport
Works cited
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