Basque Delight

A derby in futbol is always a special thing, especially when two teams from the same city or regional area are pitted against each other. The great AC Milan - Inter Milan derby is always one to watch. Chelsea and Arsenal's London derby always produces good theater. And even though it has been lopsided for pretty much its entire history, I always sit down to watch the Real Madrid - Atletico Madrid derby in hopes that maybe, just maybe this is the year that Atleti can win... But they never do.

For many years our friends up in the Basque Country have been entertained by a derby that always featured Primera Division stalwarts Athletic Bilbao against their brethren from San Sebastian, none other than El Infierno 'lider' Real Sociedad. However since their relegation to El Infierno two years ago, the Basque people have been devoid of a derby which is a shame since the region has such a rich history and understanding of their clubs. As has been discussed on this blog before, it was shortly after the death of Franco when the Basque teams had their greatest success with Athletic winning two La Liga titles and Sociedad pulling down one of their own.

Fortunately this year a regional derby was able to come back into the fold but this time it was Sociedad welcoming in a town from the eastern part of the region to Estadio Anoeta. Newly promoted Real Union reside in Irun, just a hair away from the French border and are experiencing their first season in El Infierno since 1964-65. Real Union made headlines last season when, as a Segunda B team, they took down Real Madrid in the third round of the Copa del Rey (sound familiar?). Unlike Alcorcon's shocking 4-1 aggregate win, Union had to gut out 5-5 aggregate result with Madrid and advanced on the benefit of a late goal scored at the Bernabeu in the return leg. That goal evidently kickstarted the team's run to promotion.

So last weekend the regional derby between Real Sociedad and Real Union reunited after a mere 44 years with Sociedad laying a 4-1 thumping on the visitors. The locals had three goals in the net before halftime and never really gave Union a glimpse at daylight. What most of the fans in attendance probably didn't know was that the last time the two teams faced each other, Union got the best of Sociedad in a 1-3 win in San Sebastian. Otherwise, Sociedad has pretty much owned this 'rivalry' when you look at the history books.

1934 - 1935
Real Union 3 Real Sociedad 0
Real Sociedad 2 Real Union 1

1939 - 1940
Real Union 2 Real Sociedad 5
Real Sociedad 1 Real union 1

1940 - 1941
Real Union 1 Real Sociedad 6
Real Sociedad 6 Real Union 2

1964 - 1965
Real Union 1 Real Sociedad 3
Real Sociedad 1 Real Union 1

I guess it doesn't really come as a shock since Sociedad has mainly been in the Primera Division during their history while Union has languished mostly in between the Segunda B and the Tercera Division, but still, the fact that these two clubs are able to get together this season and give the Basque people something to talk about in lieu of the usual Athletic-Sociedad rivalry is compelling. All the more interesting will be the return leg in the spring when a visit to Stadium Gal in Irun may determine Sociedad's promotion hopes. We hope it will.

I swear to God I am a curse, After I give Betis tons of credit for winning two games in a row, they go out and lose to victory-challenged Murcia in a pitiful display of futbol. Then of course Celta makes me look even more like an idiot and beats Girona on the road.

Possibly the best goal of the season was Albacete's Salva lofting one in from nearly midfield and catching Salamanca's goalie by complete surprise. For sure it is a finalist.

And lastly, cheers for Diego Tristan scoring his first goal of the season for Cadiz!

If you used my picks last week to try to make some money to buy Christmas presents, then I think your loved ones can expect some thrifty items coming from you this year. A paltry three wins on last week's docket. Terrible!

Jornada 16

Hércules - Girona 1
Recreativo - Córdoba X
Albacete - Levante X
Cartagena - Salamanca 2
Rayo - Numancia 1
Real Unión - Huesca X
Castellón - R. Sociedad 2
Betis - Gimnástic X
Villarreal B - Murcia 1
Cádiz - Las Palmas X
Celta - Elche 1


Clasificacion

1. R. Sociedad - 29
2. Hércules - 27
3. Cartagena - 26
4. Betis - 23
5. Numancia - 23
6. Elche - 23
7. Salamanca - 23
8. Levante - 22
9. Gimnástic - 22
10. Córdoba - 22
11. Rayo - 21
12. Recreativo - 20
13. Villarreal B - 20
14. Las Palmas - 18
15. Girona - 17
16. Huesca - 17
17. Cádiz - 17
18. Albacete -16
19. Celta -15
20. Real Unión -15
21. Murcia -13
22. Castellón -11