Eternal derby (Serbia)

Eternal derby (Serbian: "Вечити дерби", "Večiti derbi") or Belgrade derby is a match between the fiercest city rivals Crvena Zvezda and Partizan, two of the biggest and most popular clubs in Serbia. Rivalry is present in number of different sports but the most intensive matches are between football, basketball and handball sections of both clubs.

These two teams are the far most popular in the country, with nearly 50% of the population support Red Star while 32.2% support Partizan. Clubs are the most popular ones in Montenegro and Republika Srpska, Serbian entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Clubs have supporters in all other former Yugoslav republics, and these fans are in majority Serbs living in those countries. [http://www.sport.novosti.rs/sadrzaj.php?kat=1&pkat=57&id_vest=18883]

Red Star's colours are red & white while Partizan's are black & white.

Derby games were always greatly anticipated and quite spectacular, but in recent years the lower quality of sport that’s been displayed, as well as very large amount of violence and hooliganism, made the fall of the attendance an inevitable consequence. The greatest attendance was about 108,000 spectators.

Fans

"Main articles: Delije and Grobari"

Probably the best known thing about the Belgrade derby are the fans. Usually, they are much more exciting to watch than the game itself. Especially in recent times, since the Serbian championship has at times lacked in quality. Fans create an impressive atmosphere with loud cheering and original choreography. Both sides prepare intensely between the matches, make large flags and special messages that are appropriate for that particular occasion, to be usually directed towards the opposing side.

Supporters of the various Red Star sports teams are known as Delije (Serbian: "Делије", "Delije"). A rough English translation might be "courageous and brave young men" or simply "The Heroes". The name Delije first began to be used by hardcore Red Star supporters during late 1980s, with official inauguration taking place on January 7, 1989. Up to that point, the diehard Red Star fans were scattered amongst 7-8 fan groups that shared the north stand at the Red Star Stadium (known colloquially as Marakana), most prominent of which were "Red Devils, Zulu Warriors," and "Ultras". As a sign of appreciation Red Star Football Club painted the word Delije in block letters across their stadium's north stand - the gathering point of the club's most loyal and passionate fans. They are called Cigani (English: "Gypsies") by their arch rivals Grobari, fans of Partizan. Although, Delije generally considered name Cigani to be insulting, they occasionally use this name in their own songs and chants.

Partizan's supporters, known as Grobari (English: "Gravediggers" or "Undertakers"), were formed in 1970. The nickname itself was given by their biggest rivals Red Star fans, referring to club's mostly black colours which were similar to official uniforms of cemetery undertakers. The other theory is that the name arrives from the Partizan's stadium street name - "Humska" (rough English translation might be "Graves"). First groups of organized Partizan fan supporters began to visit the JNA stadium in the late 1950s. Partizan's participation in the 1966 European Cup Final attracted much more fans to the stadium, and is considered to be the crucial moment of the organized fans moving to a south stand of the stadium where they are gathering up to this day. During the 1970s as well as all over Europe, Grobari started bringing fan equipments to the stadiums such as supporting scarfs, transparents, flags and flame torches (in the late 70's), which gave a whole new aspect to the sport club supporting. By the 1980s, Grobari were one of the four main fan groups in SFR Yugoslavia and began outmarching to all Partizan's games across the country and Europe. Because of their expressed hooliganism toward other club's supporters in those times, fans who represented the core of the Grobari firm were often referred to as a "punishment expedition". They were best known for their English style of supporting which was mainly based on loud and continuous singing. Today, Grobari consist of three large groups: "Južni Front, Grobari 1970" and "Grobari Beograd".

Incidents involving both fan groups as well as riot police can be seen before, during and after derby game. The biggest incident occurred on October 30, 1999 at Stadion Partizana, when 17 year old Red Star fan was killed by signal rocket fired from Grobari's stand. [http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.co.yu/arhiva/1999/11/03/srpski/h99110204.shtm] More recently, fights between two rival groups are not necessarily connected with match day. In one of these arranged fights in 2006, Partizan fan was stubbed to death by Red Star fan. [http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2006&mm=07&dd=28&nav_category=16&nav_id=206106&fs=1]

Football rivalry

Red Star was formed on March 4, 1945 by new communist civil authorities in Yugoslavia. Partizan was founded on October 4, 1945 as a club of Yugoslav People's Army. Although, Belgrade had it's football club before WW2 - BSK, which was very successful in pre-war Yugoslav championships, clubs very fast became the most popular ones in Belgrade and entire Serbia. First match between football sections was played on January 5, 1947 and Red Star won 3-4.

Red Star is the only Serbian club that has won a UEFA competition, winning the 1991 European Cup in Bari, Italy. The same year in Tokyo, Japan the club won the Intercontinental Cup. Red Star lost the European Super Cup finals that year to the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup champion, Manchester United. The club also made the final of the UEFA Cup in 1979, losing to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Red Star also has won a record 25 national league titles and 22 national cups.

Partizan participated in the first ever European Cup game, that took place on September 3, 1955 in Lisbon against Sporting. Final result of this game was 3-3. Partizan also became the first club from Eastern Europe to have played in a European Cup final, losing it to Real Madrid 1-2, after eliminating Manchester United in the semifinals. In more recent years, the club played in 2003/04 UEFA Champions League season, thus becoming first ever and until today only Serbian club to reach group stage, after eliminating Newcastle United on the penalties in the last qualifying round. Partizan has won 20 national league titles and 10 national cups.

Stadiums

"Main articles: Stadion Crvena Zvezda and Stadion Partizana"

When Red Star is a host, derby is played at "Stadion Crvena Zvezda" colloquially known as "Marakana" after the famous Brazilian stadium. It was opened in 1963. Capacity is 55,000 although before UEFA demands it was 110,000. Delije often calls it shortly "Mara". Grobari use insulting name "Rupa" (English: "The Hole").

When host is Partizan, derby is played at "Stadion Partizana", formerly known as "Stadion JNA" which is still common name for the stadium. It was opened in 1949. Capacity is 32,710 although before UEFA demands it was 55,000. Partizan fans calls it "Fudbalski Hram" (English: "Temple of the Football"). Delije often use insulting name "Lavor" (English: "The Washbowl")

Statistics

Until today 134 derby games were played in domestic league.

Highest victory was achieved by Partizan on December 6, 1953 and the result was 7-1. Red Star's highest triumph was 6-1 and game was played on November 17, 1968. [http://www.footballderbies.com/results/index.php?id=48]

Basketball rivalry

KK Red Star was the winner of European Cup Winner's Cup in 1974. Club has also won 15 national championship, last was won in 1998, and 5 national cups. In the last few years Red Star is inferior to its "eternal rival". Due to its management's constant reminders that they're building for the next season - the club earned a derisive nickname "KK Sledeća sezona" (English: "Next Season Basketball Club") amongst rival Partizan fans. [http://www.blic.co.yu/sport.php?id=38973]

KK Partizan was the European champion in 1992 with curiosity of winning the title, although playing all but one of the games (crucial quarter-final game vs. Knorr) on foreign grounds; FIBA decided not to allow teams from Former Yugoslavia play their home games at their home venues, because of open hostilities in the region. KK Partizan was not allowed to defend the title in the 1992-1993 season, because of UN sanction. They also won 3 Radivoj Korać Cups in 1978, 1979 and 1989 and NLB League in 2007 and 2008. KK Partizan is the defending Serbian basketball champion and the holder of 15 national champion titles, of which the last seven were won in a row. They have also won 9 national basketball cups.

Pionir Hall

Pionir Hall (Serbian, "Хала Пионир / Hala Pionir") is a sports arena in Belgrade located in the Belgrade's municipality of Palilula. Capacity of the arena is 7,000 seats. It is home terrain for both rivals. During derbies Delije are concentrated on the west stand while Grobari are on the east stand of the hall. Recently, because of frequent violent clashes between two groups, clubs are not selling derby match tickets and host's fans are 90% majority in the hall.