Post by IWEDFM on Jan 21, 2007 17:41:04 GMT -1
Teams: Club Athletico Boca Juniors 0:2 River Plate
Goals: Falcao García (48), Diego Galván (67)
Stadium: Jose Minella, Mar del Plata, Argentina
Competition: Torneo de Verrano
Kick-off: 10:15pm
Attendance: 30,000
Billed "El Superclásico" across Argentina – this fixture means life or death to the locals of Buenos Aires. Many consider this to be the ‘most passionate’ rivalry on the planet. The Observer once made a list of the "50 sporting events you must do before you die" and going to a Boca Juniors-River Plate derby came top. The sheer excitement, matched by a deafening pre-match atmosphere set the stage for an enthralling 90 minutes of blood, guts and sweat.
Despite often being dubbed "The Real Madrid of South America", unfortunately for Boca, they don’t have the mega-rich financial powers of their Spanish counterparts - meaning any young nurtured talent is soon snapped up by a top European club. The latest prospect being 20-year-old rising superstar Fernando Gago who has just joined the Los Galaticos in a £14m deal – leaving many Boca fans disgruntled – although most acknowledge that’s the nature of their club – sell to survive. Despite their off-the-field troubles, the club has everything from its own wine brand to its own official cemetery (seriously !). Famously supported by Diego Maradona, Boca are without doubt the most successful club in South America and hold the record for the most International titles - outgunning both Real Madrid and AC. Milan.
River are perhaps on an even financial footing to Boca – also finding it impossible to compete with the European market, meaning any prized assets are quickly sold on to bigger clubs. Although not yet on the popularity level of their big city rivals, River are still regarded as a major force, not only in Argentina but in South America and have a congested looking silverware cabinet. Unfortunately though, the club remains a stepping-stone for many players. Over the years River have unearthed talents such as: Javier Saviola, Pablo Aimar and Javier Mascherano along with many more. However, with the sorry financial state Argentinean football finds itself in, these players stay at Los Millonarios for little more than a season, opting instead for a transfer to Europe where the money is considerably better.
The passion, well where do I start? I don’t think I could begin to describe how much this game means to both sets of supporters. On Thursday, fans of both clubs started ripping into each other whilst queing up to buy tickets, leaving the ticket office with little option other than to suspend ticket sales for the rest of the day. Certainly not the type of behaviour I condone, but this gives you an idea of the length some fans will go to. Utter craziness if you asked me, but football in Argentina is more than just a game. It's a fixture that has often brought violence, riots and crowd trouble, although it stems from much more than just the football side of things, it stretches back to many decades and is largely down to social class and money. Both clubs come from a very poor background, and although River nowadays, perhaps play in one of the nicer parts of Buenos Aires, the area of La Boca remains dodged with beggars, some as young as five and six. Whenever I visit the area and get approached by a young boy, who pleads with me to buy a painting he made - it brings a lump to my throat and makes me appreciate what I have that extra bit more - and i'm not ashamed to admit that there are times when I take life for granted - as i'm sure many of you do.
Although the usual late 10:15pm KO - the supporters started at midday, with 1000`s of River fans invading the streets of Rivadavia and San Martin in fine voice, jumping up and down, banging on tables, and bascially, making it a real football-type carnaval. It reminded me off our play-off final in Cardiff a couple of seasons back, the anticipation beforehand with all our supporters gathering together in the centre singing our hearts out. It was certainly a sight to behold.
However, I landed myself in it. I walked straight pass the River fans in my Boca cap, to which I then found myself to be the subject of a heavy chorus of boo's. It was great fun though! and in reply I duly touched the badge on my hat which greeted an even bigger round of jeers. I know I have made the supporters out to be raving lunatics, but this isn't the case. It's a small minority that thrive on causing trouble, most fans are genuine and like the rest of us, have that sheer love for football.
We bought our tickets during the day, to ensure we weren't going to be left dissapointed should they sell out, luckily it proved the correct decision as there was not a ticket left by 3pm. I was absolutly buzzing at the propsect of seeing one of the biggest footbal rivalries on world stage. I was thrilled when the guy placed the tickets in my hand, as after Thursday I wasn't sure whether they were going to let outsiders buy tickets, thankfully that wasn't to be the case.
We arrived at the stadium at around 9pm, giving ourselves just over an hour to grab a bit of dinner, and take in the atmosphere. It was superb. You could feel the buzz around the place, the kick-off couldn't come sooner, the eagerness was there for all to see. We decided to take to our seats at 9:40, by which stage most fans had done the same.
The atmosphere was, at times slightly intimidating, it's not often you go to a football match where the whole stadium vibrates. The Boca fans were up stamping their feet, clapping their hands, whilst you could hear the River fans echoing from all corners of the Jose Minella. It was amazing !
The River fans then proceeded to let of fire works and flares which made for a blurry start. It was difficult for us to see what was happening in the opening 10-15 minutes.
Boca looked by far and away the more fitter and stronger of the two, winning every challenge and often finding gaps in the River defence. If anyone was going to score it was going to be Boca, but they seemed to lack that killer touch in the final third, meaning River got away with it on a number of occasions during the first half an hour.
As the half wore on, River started to turn the tide, now putting Boca under the cosh. With the half-time whistle imminent, things started to get a bit heated, with high-flying tackles coming in left, right and centre, however before blowing up, the ref sensibly decided to gather both sets of players and gave them a stern talking to.
Half-Time score: 0-0
River came out for the second half firing on all cylinders and it took just three minutes for them to get their noses infront. Neat interplay on the right left Falcao García free before he cooly slotted under the keeper's body. 1-0. The River fans errupted with sheer delight, lifting the roof of the place.
This left Boca slightly flabbergasted and it was River who were again applying the pressure. Only a last ditch tackle from Hugo Ibarra prevented Fernando Belluschi from pulling the trigger.
With Boca rocking, River again took the initiative. More neat build up play sent Diego Galván through - he made no mistake in finding the back of the net. 2-0. River fans were in dreamland.
Boca had it all to do, with the scoreboard saying 66 minutes, time was quickly running out. Rodrigo Palacio went close to reducing the deficit but was unable to get a clean connection from a cross.
The Boca fans were still in fine voice, but frustration was written on the faces of many. They knew they weren't good enough on the night and perhaps dissapointmet from the league was still fresh in the minds of the players. I don't know, but River ran out deserved winners on what was a fantastic night of football.
Both sets of supporters were absolutly awesome, and I can now say I have been to a famous "El Superclásico" derby, although my dream remains to go to one at the La Bombonera. Brilliant.
The most passionate rivalry in the world?
?? - Make no mistake.
Here are some pics: Apologies that they aren't of the greatest quality but I had to zoom in on many, also not entirely sure what happened to the date. Bloody cheap cameras.
Goals: Falcao García (48), Diego Galván (67)
Stadium: Jose Minella, Mar del Plata, Argentina
Competition: Torneo de Verrano
Kick-off: 10:15pm
Attendance: 30,000
Billed "El Superclásico" across Argentina – this fixture means life or death to the locals of Buenos Aires. Many consider this to be the ‘most passionate’ rivalry on the planet. The Observer once made a list of the "50 sporting events you must do before you die" and going to a Boca Juniors-River Plate derby came top. The sheer excitement, matched by a deafening pre-match atmosphere set the stage for an enthralling 90 minutes of blood, guts and sweat.
Despite often being dubbed "The Real Madrid of South America", unfortunately for Boca, they don’t have the mega-rich financial powers of their Spanish counterparts - meaning any young nurtured talent is soon snapped up by a top European club. The latest prospect being 20-year-old rising superstar Fernando Gago who has just joined the Los Galaticos in a £14m deal – leaving many Boca fans disgruntled – although most acknowledge that’s the nature of their club – sell to survive. Despite their off-the-field troubles, the club has everything from its own wine brand to its own official cemetery (seriously !). Famously supported by Diego Maradona, Boca are without doubt the most successful club in South America and hold the record for the most International titles - outgunning both Real Madrid and AC. Milan.
River are perhaps on an even financial footing to Boca – also finding it impossible to compete with the European market, meaning any prized assets are quickly sold on to bigger clubs. Although not yet on the popularity level of their big city rivals, River are still regarded as a major force, not only in Argentina but in South America and have a congested looking silverware cabinet. Unfortunately though, the club remains a stepping-stone for many players. Over the years River have unearthed talents such as: Javier Saviola, Pablo Aimar and Javier Mascherano along with many more. However, with the sorry financial state Argentinean football finds itself in, these players stay at Los Millonarios for little more than a season, opting instead for a transfer to Europe where the money is considerably better.
The passion, well where do I start? I don’t think I could begin to describe how much this game means to both sets of supporters. On Thursday, fans of both clubs started ripping into each other whilst queing up to buy tickets, leaving the ticket office with little option other than to suspend ticket sales for the rest of the day. Certainly not the type of behaviour I condone, but this gives you an idea of the length some fans will go to. Utter craziness if you asked me, but football in Argentina is more than just a game. It's a fixture that has often brought violence, riots and crowd trouble, although it stems from much more than just the football side of things, it stretches back to many decades and is largely down to social class and money. Both clubs come from a very poor background, and although River nowadays, perhaps play in one of the nicer parts of Buenos Aires, the area of La Boca remains dodged with beggars, some as young as five and six. Whenever I visit the area and get approached by a young boy, who pleads with me to buy a painting he made - it brings a lump to my throat and makes me appreciate what I have that extra bit more - and i'm not ashamed to admit that there are times when I take life for granted - as i'm sure many of you do.
Although the usual late 10:15pm KO - the supporters started at midday, with 1000`s of River fans invading the streets of Rivadavia and San Martin in fine voice, jumping up and down, banging on tables, and bascially, making it a real football-type carnaval. It reminded me off our play-off final in Cardiff a couple of seasons back, the anticipation beforehand with all our supporters gathering together in the centre singing our hearts out. It was certainly a sight to behold.
However, I landed myself in it. I walked straight pass the River fans in my Boca cap, to which I then found myself to be the subject of a heavy chorus of boo's. It was great fun though! and in reply I duly touched the badge on my hat which greeted an even bigger round of jeers. I know I have made the supporters out to be raving lunatics, but this isn't the case. It's a small minority that thrive on causing trouble, most fans are genuine and like the rest of us, have that sheer love for football.
We bought our tickets during the day, to ensure we weren't going to be left dissapointed should they sell out, luckily it proved the correct decision as there was not a ticket left by 3pm. I was absolutly buzzing at the propsect of seeing one of the biggest footbal rivalries on world stage. I was thrilled when the guy placed the tickets in my hand, as after Thursday I wasn't sure whether they were going to let outsiders buy tickets, thankfully that wasn't to be the case.
We arrived at the stadium at around 9pm, giving ourselves just over an hour to grab a bit of dinner, and take in the atmosphere. It was superb. You could feel the buzz around the place, the kick-off couldn't come sooner, the eagerness was there for all to see. We decided to take to our seats at 9:40, by which stage most fans had done the same.
The atmosphere was, at times slightly intimidating, it's not often you go to a football match where the whole stadium vibrates. The Boca fans were up stamping their feet, clapping their hands, whilst you could hear the River fans echoing from all corners of the Jose Minella. It was amazing !
The River fans then proceeded to let of fire works and flares which made for a blurry start. It was difficult for us to see what was happening in the opening 10-15 minutes.
Boca looked by far and away the more fitter and stronger of the two, winning every challenge and often finding gaps in the River defence. If anyone was going to score it was going to be Boca, but they seemed to lack that killer touch in the final third, meaning River got away with it on a number of occasions during the first half an hour.
As the half wore on, River started to turn the tide, now putting Boca under the cosh. With the half-time whistle imminent, things started to get a bit heated, with high-flying tackles coming in left, right and centre, however before blowing up, the ref sensibly decided to gather both sets of players and gave them a stern talking to.
Half-Time score: 0-0
River came out for the second half firing on all cylinders and it took just three minutes for them to get their noses infront. Neat interplay on the right left Falcao García free before he cooly slotted under the keeper's body. 1-0. The River fans errupted with sheer delight, lifting the roof of the place.
This left Boca slightly flabbergasted and it was River who were again applying the pressure. Only a last ditch tackle from Hugo Ibarra prevented Fernando Belluschi from pulling the trigger.
With Boca rocking, River again took the initiative. More neat build up play sent Diego Galván through - he made no mistake in finding the back of the net. 2-0. River fans were in dreamland.
Boca had it all to do, with the scoreboard saying 66 minutes, time was quickly running out. Rodrigo Palacio went close to reducing the deficit but was unable to get a clean connection from a cross.
The Boca fans were still in fine voice, but frustration was written on the faces of many. They knew they weren't good enough on the night and perhaps dissapointmet from the league was still fresh in the minds of the players. I don't know, but River ran out deserved winners on what was a fantastic night of football.
Both sets of supporters were absolutly awesome, and I can now say I have been to a famous "El Superclásico" derby, although my dream remains to go to one at the La Bombonera. Brilliant.
The most passionate rivalry in the world?
?? - Make no mistake.Here are some pics: Apologies that they aren't of the greatest quality but I had to zoom in on many, also not entirely sure what happened to the date. Bloody cheap cameras.
