Lemmi
The Reckoner
Heaven and Hell: El (Super)Clásico de Avellaneda
by: Daniel Edwards | 02 March 2010
section: Sport
El Superclásico, played every year between Boca Juniors and River Plate, is rightly acclaimed as one of the world’s sporting highlights. The Guardian newspaper included in a list of the “sporting events to see before you die”, and for tourists the game appears in every guidebook as something to experience while in Buenos Aires.
Just over the Riachuelo in nearby Avellaneda however, the game passes almost unnoticed. For there is a far greater rivalry at stake which brings the city to a standstill twice a year, between local heroes Independiente and Racing Club.
Photo by Robert Bits
Football stadiums of Independiente and Racing are right next to each other, fueling the bitter rivalry
Rivals Through History:
Racing and Independiente are two of the oldest and most successful clubs in Argentine football, and almost from inception became hated rivals. The tension between the two clubs is amplified through their proximity; there is only 300m separating the two stadiums, and on derby days at Independiente’s Libertadores de America Racing’s very own El Cilindro looms ominously in the distance. Even the colours of the teams are diametrically opposed- while Independiente sport a deep red and are known as ‘the red devils’, those of Racing wear white and celestial blue stripes- a true clash of heaven and hell!
Both teams were conceived in the early years of the twentieth century, and their first match in the top division took place on 12th December 1915. Los Rojos won the first encounter, only to later lose the points for having fielded an ineligible player. Since this first match the teams have met 173 times. Independiente have been more successful, winning 67 compared to La Academia’s 46.
Both teams have also had to suffer through ‘golden ages’ of their enemies. Racing Club dominated Argentine football through the 50s and 60s- in no small part due to the patronage of Gen. Juan Domingo Peron, who had a strong influence in the club and after who the stadium is named. The Peronist influence persists to this day amongst Racing fans and management. Racing’s glory years included three consecutive championships, and becoming the first ever Argentine team to win the Intercontinental championship, in 1967. Independiente meanwhile were unstoppable in the 1970s, winning an unprecedented 4 consecutive Copa Libertadores (South American Championship) titles between 1972 and 1975.
In recent years however the teams have found reduced success on the field. Independiente brought the last league title to Avellaneda in 2002, while Racing have been more preoccupied recently with avoiding relegation than with any title aspirations. Underachievement on the pitch, however, in no ways implies that the fans become any less passionate.
Thou shalt love thy neighbour?
Photo by remi de nimega
Club Racing Fans
An integral part of being a fan of either Racing or Independiente is hating with a passion your ‘other’. Even when the teams don’t play, many of the chants and songs sung by the fans insult their Avellaneda rival. A Racing song tells the Independiente fans “Rojo! You’re queer, a vigilante, you work with the police and you have no support” while the Independiente faithful sing “you’re shit like San Lorenzo, call a priest, go to mass and then suck our dicks”.
The rivalry divides the city of Avellaneda; while in Buenos Aires there are a multitude of Premier teams that share support, across the river there is only two, and allegiances can often split friends and family if only for two days a year. On derby days the tension is palpable, the city is deserted apart from bands wearing blue or red. “For a week before the game you can feel the tension around everywhere, no-one talks as much or is as friendly as normal and the atmosphere is oppressive” explains Luciano Ciccarelli, a lifelong Racing fan from Villa Crespo, “If you’re Racing and your friend is Rojo, for that week you’re not going to talk to each other.”
The tension has often in the past erupted into violence. A memorable instance of on-pitch brutality occurred in 1961, where the referee had to suspend the game due to fighting between the players. The game eventually continued, with both sides reduced to seven men each. In 2006 the match was actually abandoned due to crowd violence. Racing away fans, upset at the fact their team was losing 2-0, started to riot and destroy the visitor’s enclosure. Next they turned on the police, fighting a pitched battle in the stands. The incident led to the banning of away fans from all Argentine professional football for a period.
A Saturday in Avellaneda:
On Saturday 27th February the 173rd Avellaneda Derby took place, in Independiente’s newly renovated Libertadores stadium. The bad blood started days before however, with an ugly slanging match between the two team presidents each accusing the other club of being favoured by referees. Racing ticket sales also did not pass without incident, as the few made available by Independiente provoked incredible scenes as 2000 fans battled their way to two windows selling 700 tickets. Several were taken to hospital after fainting in the pressure and the crush of the completely uncontrolled situation.
For the match itself I was located in the Racing terrace, along with 4,500 others who had been lucky enough to secure a ticket. It was clear that this was a different game than normal, as usually boisterous loud fans were instead suffering through a nervous silence. Luciano for one was visibly anxious, with head in hands smoking cigarette after cigarette in a bid to calm down. There was no doubting the passion however- the stadium was almost completely full an hour before kick off. No-one was prepared to miss this match.
Photo by sicoactiva
Independiente Fans
Eventually at 5pm the teams ran onto the field to the jubilation of their respective supporters. As always the chants ran the gamut from the humorous (“Independiente finish your stadium- it looks like Banfield’s” was a Racing favourite referring to the as yet unfinished home ground) to the unprintably vulgar. Particularly impressive was a massive Independiente banner that spanned the entire home goal end. It was paying tribute to ‘el Kun’ Sergio Agüero, the rojo starlet whose multi-million pound transfer to Spain financed a large part of the stadium renovations.
The game itself perhaps inevitably could not live up to the hype. It was tight throughout, with few real goalscoring chances and both teams frightened of being humiliated in front of their own fans. The violence associated with the game also reared its ugly head with two dismissals. Racing forward Gabirel Hauche was expelled for a horrific studs-up challenge into an opponents midriff, while Independiente’s Patricio Rodriguez also saw red in the dying seconds for a second yellow card.
The difference between the teams came four minutes from the end of the first half. Racing defender Brian Lluy handled the ball in the penalty area, and referee Nestor Pittana had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. It was up to Darío Gandín, a rojo legend and prolific scorer against their Avellaneda rivals, to convert it, and he made no mistake in rolling the ball into the net. Except for a couple of good attempts by la academia the 1-0 scoreline was rarely in doubt, as Racing could not break down the stout Independiente defence.
The red half of the stadium exploded into celebration as Pittana blew the final whistle, while the Racing fans hurried towards the exits in order to escape the depressing outcome of this vital game. Fireworks, flares and other explosives were launched from every corner, and the home players went straight over to their end to applaud the sterling effort of these faithful supporters, who turn out in their thousands every week rain or shine.
With that the Clásico de Avellaneda was finished, and the red half of the city will enjoy the all-important bragging rights over the blue half for the next six months. In the spring however it will be Racing’s turn to host their neighbours, and there is no doubting that the tension, hatred and adoration will be just as intense the next time the fan’s heroes meet each other.
http://www.theargentimes.com/culture/sport/heaven-and-hell-el-superclasico-de-avellaneda-/
by: Daniel Edwards | 02 March 2010
section: Sport
El Superclásico, played every year between Boca Juniors and River Plate, is rightly acclaimed as one of the world’s sporting highlights. The Guardian newspaper included in a list of the “sporting events to see before you die”, and for tourists the game appears in every guidebook as something to experience while in Buenos Aires.
Just over the Riachuelo in nearby Avellaneda however, the game passes almost unnoticed. For there is a far greater rivalry at stake which brings the city to a standstill twice a year, between local heroes Independiente and Racing Club.
Photo by Robert Bits
Football stadiums of Independiente and Racing are right next to each other, fueling the bitter rivalry
Rivals Through History:
Racing and Independiente are two of the oldest and most successful clubs in Argentine football, and almost from inception became hated rivals. The tension between the two clubs is amplified through their proximity; there is only 300m separating the two stadiums, and on derby days at Independiente’s Libertadores de America Racing’s very own El Cilindro looms ominously in the distance. Even the colours of the teams are diametrically opposed- while Independiente sport a deep red and are known as ‘the red devils’, those of Racing wear white and celestial blue stripes- a true clash of heaven and hell!
Both teams were conceived in the early years of the twentieth century, and their first match in the top division took place on 12th December 1915. Los Rojos won the first encounter, only to later lose the points for having fielded an ineligible player. Since this first match the teams have met 173 times. Independiente have been more successful, winning 67 compared to La Academia’s 46.
Both teams have also had to suffer through ‘golden ages’ of their enemies. Racing Club dominated Argentine football through the 50s and 60s- in no small part due to the patronage of Gen. Juan Domingo Peron, who had a strong influence in the club and after who the stadium is named. The Peronist influence persists to this day amongst Racing fans and management. Racing’s glory years included three consecutive championships, and becoming the first ever Argentine team to win the Intercontinental championship, in 1967. Independiente meanwhile were unstoppable in the 1970s, winning an unprecedented 4 consecutive Copa Libertadores (South American Championship) titles between 1972 and 1975.
In recent years however the teams have found reduced success on the field. Independiente brought the last league title to Avellaneda in 2002, while Racing have been more preoccupied recently with avoiding relegation than with any title aspirations. Underachievement on the pitch, however, in no ways implies that the fans become any less passionate.
Thou shalt love thy neighbour?
Photo by remi de nimega
Club Racing Fans
An integral part of being a fan of either Racing or Independiente is hating with a passion your ‘other’. Even when the teams don’t play, many of the chants and songs sung by the fans insult their Avellaneda rival. A Racing song tells the Independiente fans “Rojo! You’re queer, a vigilante, you work with the police and you have no support” while the Independiente faithful sing “you’re shit like San Lorenzo, call a priest, go to mass and then suck our dicks”.
The rivalry divides the city of Avellaneda; while in Buenos Aires there are a multitude of Premier teams that share support, across the river there is only two, and allegiances can often split friends and family if only for two days a year. On derby days the tension is palpable, the city is deserted apart from bands wearing blue or red. “For a week before the game you can feel the tension around everywhere, no-one talks as much or is as friendly as normal and the atmosphere is oppressive” explains Luciano Ciccarelli, a lifelong Racing fan from Villa Crespo, “If you’re Racing and your friend is Rojo, for that week you’re not going to talk to each other.”
The tension has often in the past erupted into violence. A memorable instance of on-pitch brutality occurred in 1961, where the referee had to suspend the game due to fighting between the players. The game eventually continued, with both sides reduced to seven men each. In 2006 the match was actually abandoned due to crowd violence. Racing away fans, upset at the fact their team was losing 2-0, started to riot and destroy the visitor’s enclosure. Next they turned on the police, fighting a pitched battle in the stands. The incident led to the banning of away fans from all Argentine professional football for a period.
A Saturday in Avellaneda:
On Saturday 27th February the 173rd Avellaneda Derby took place, in Independiente’s newly renovated Libertadores stadium. The bad blood started days before however, with an ugly slanging match between the two team presidents each accusing the other club of being favoured by referees. Racing ticket sales also did not pass without incident, as the few made available by Independiente provoked incredible scenes as 2000 fans battled their way to two windows selling 700 tickets. Several were taken to hospital after fainting in the pressure and the crush of the completely uncontrolled situation.
For the match itself I was located in the Racing terrace, along with 4,500 others who had been lucky enough to secure a ticket. It was clear that this was a different game than normal, as usually boisterous loud fans were instead suffering through a nervous silence. Luciano for one was visibly anxious, with head in hands smoking cigarette after cigarette in a bid to calm down. There was no doubting the passion however- the stadium was almost completely full an hour before kick off. No-one was prepared to miss this match.
Photo by sicoactiva
Independiente Fans
Eventually at 5pm the teams ran onto the field to the jubilation of their respective supporters. As always the chants ran the gamut from the humorous (“Independiente finish your stadium- it looks like Banfield’s” was a Racing favourite referring to the as yet unfinished home ground) to the unprintably vulgar. Particularly impressive was a massive Independiente banner that spanned the entire home goal end. It was paying tribute to ‘el Kun’ Sergio Agüero, the rojo starlet whose multi-million pound transfer to Spain financed a large part of the stadium renovations.
The game itself perhaps inevitably could not live up to the hype. It was tight throughout, with few real goalscoring chances and both teams frightened of being humiliated in front of their own fans. The violence associated with the game also reared its ugly head with two dismissals. Racing forward Gabirel Hauche was expelled for a horrific studs-up challenge into an opponents midriff, while Independiente’s Patricio Rodriguez also saw red in the dying seconds for a second yellow card.
The difference between the teams came four minutes from the end of the first half. Racing defender Brian Lluy handled the ball in the penalty area, and referee Nestor Pittana had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. It was up to Darío Gandín, a rojo legend and prolific scorer against their Avellaneda rivals, to convert it, and he made no mistake in rolling the ball into the net. Except for a couple of good attempts by la academia the 1-0 scoreline was rarely in doubt, as Racing could not break down the stout Independiente defence.
The red half of the stadium exploded into celebration as Pittana blew the final whistle, while the Racing fans hurried towards the exits in order to escape the depressing outcome of this vital game. Fireworks, flares and other explosives were launched from every corner, and the home players went straight over to their end to applaud the sterling effort of these faithful supporters, who turn out in their thousands every week rain or shine.
With that the Clásico de Avellaneda was finished, and the red half of the city will enjoy the all-important bragging rights over the blue half for the next six months. In the spring however it will be Racing’s turn to host their neighbours, and there is no doubting that the tension, hatred and adoration will be just as intense the next time the fan’s heroes meet each other.
http://www.theargentimes.com/culture/sport/heaven-and-hell-el-superclasico-de-avellaneda-/
