VIDEO: Croatian Derby – More Than Just Football

A rivalry that can be traced back more than 90 years will be renewed again this weekend when the “eternal derby” between two of Croatia’s biggest football clubs Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split is played.

Although the first official match between these two sides was played in 1946, Zagreb’s Gradanski and Hajduk from the coastal Dalmatian city of Split often clashed in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia championship in the 1920’s. After World War II, Gradanski was disbanded by the authorities, and Dinamo Zagreb was formed to take its place, retaining its colours.

The seaside town of Split will come to a standstill this Sunday at 18:00 when the two teams run out onto Split’s Poljud stadium. Dinamo Zagreb currently have bragging rights in the emotionally charged derby. Out of the current 187 derby’s played they have won 76, with Hajduk Split winning 64. Dinamo Zagreb also have an 8-point lead over Hajduk in the league but that will count for nothing on Sunday.

The matches are also renowned for the two club’s firms. Hajduk Split posses one of the most impressive set of fans not only in Croatia, but in Europe. Torcida have a long history of creating spectacular atmospheres at matches, often outshining their side on the pitch. Dinamo Zagreb’s Bad Blue Boys will be making the 4-hour drive down the A1 motorway in droves this Sunday for the 188th derby that it sure to be entertaining, if not on the pitch, then off it as this footage of previous derby’s suggests.