The biggest rivalries in the NBA have nothing on the biggest European basketball rivalries. Let’s take a look at the most fiercest, most ferocious and biggest basketball derbies in Europe.
6. Aris vs. PAOK
The Derby of Thessaloniki, also known as the Derby of Macedonia, or Derby of Northern Greece, is one of the biggest European basketball rivalries. The derby translates over from football and the two Thessalonian clubs from Greece’s second biggest city are historically split on social differences.
@basketeurope @paokbc are amazing! #PAOK #Basketball #Ultras #Fans @BasketballCL #Greece @Esake_France pic.twitter.com/n5nypitiib
— Corentin Rodriguez (@RodrigCorentin) December 14, 2017
Aris fans are traditionally from the upper class and PAOK fans are historically Greek refugees who are working class migrants. Both Aris and PAOK are among the most well supported clubs in Greece and both have passionate ultras among their fans.
5. Crvena Zvezda-Red Star vs. Galatasaray
Cultural differences between Serbia and Turkey is the foundation for one of the biggest European and basketball rivalries. The 2014 death of Red Star fan Marko Ivkovic who was stabbed by a Galatasaray supporter has only fuelled the hatred between both sets of supporters. The ill feeling was made obvious when a portion of Galatasaray fans booed the minute’s silence during a Turkish league game in honour of Ivkovic.
Both Red Star and Galatasaray fans are among the most passionate supporters in the world. In 2015 Red Star fans threw pork legs in the direction of Galatasaray players and fans in retaliation to Ivkovic’s death.
4. Fenerbahce vs. Galatasaray
Galatasaray makes the list again, this time for the Intercontinental Derby, also known as the Eternal Rivalry. It’s a European basketball rivalry and a battle between two of the biggest basketball clubs in Turkey that extends across other sports especially football. It doesn’t matter what game or whatever the championship significance, the two sets of supporters have a fierce hatred for one another.
The Istanbul clubs are split over huge cultural differences. Fenerbahce is located in the Asian part of Istanbul and therefore has a traditionally strong Muslim fan base. Galatasaray on the other hand are based on the European side of Istanbul and they have a traditionally strong European and more specifically, French influence.
3. Crvena Zvezda-Red Star vs. Partizan
Two of Serbia’s greatest basketball teams are among the biggest European rivals and they’d rank even higher if not for their relative lack of success in Europe. Both Belgrade teams became immediate rivals since their creations in 1945 and both share Aleksandar Nikolic Hall and Stark Arena as their home courts.
How about this amazing crowd cheering for the Red Star in the Basketball League of Serbia? Wow! That is a true cauldron of noise. #basketball #fans https://t.co/JNZzKrsB5U
— Alexandre Sivolella (@alexsivolella) January 3, 2019
The rivalry between Red Star and Partizan is mostly as a result of their geographical closeness with both clubs based in Serbia’s capital, and both are in a neck and neck face for national championships. The Belgrade Derby is just as fierce in football and the loyal and passionate fan bases makes it one of the biggest basketball derbies in the world.
2. Panathinaikos vs. Olympiacos
The Derby of the eternal rivals, also called Mother of all battles, is just like the football rivalry between the two. Panathinaikos and Olympiacos are the two most successful clubs in Greece but Panathinaikos are miles ahead domestically. The two clubs are split on social and cultural differences, Olympiacos traditionally made up of fans from the upper class and Panathinaikos from the working class.
Both sets of fans are among the most passionate basketball fans in the world and play out one of the biggest EuroLeague rivalries. Tempers flared in 2017 as Panathinaikos were closing in on the Greek championship. Olympiacos fans threw flares and fireworks towards both the court Panathinaikos players, the closing minutes having to take place infront of an empty stadium.
1. Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
The El Clasico is the biggest EuroLeague basketball rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona and is number one on the list of biggest football rivalries too. Spanish giants Real Madrid Baloncesto and FC Barcelona Basquet battle out the El Clasico in the biggest derby in football. Their fans may not be as rowdy as others in Europe but both clubs are well supported by passionate fan bases.
What makes the rivalry the biggest in Europe is that both clubs are successful having won more than 80% of all Spanish basketball championships. Real Madrid is the best club in EuroLeague history and in 2018 won their 10th title. Madrid and Barcelona fans have political differences and opposing beliefs on Catalan independence making it a fierce rivalry between fans.
