Soviet Giants Dynamo Kyiv were formed in 1927 as part of the Dynamo Sports Society as the club of the GPU - Soviet Political Police. The GPU was the predecessor of the KGB, the USSR's famed security agency from 1954 to the fall of communism in 1991. The club is synonymous with the "Death Match"... Continue Reading →
Valencia, Mestalla
Valencia are arguably Spain's third biggest club, with 50,000 season ticket holders and 20,000 supporters on a waiting list for season tickets. Formed in 1919 the club really started achieving success on a national scale after the Spanish Civil War. The club in the 1940's won three La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey... Continue Reading →
Vasco da Gama, Estádio São Januário
Much like their cross city rivals, Vasco were formed as a rowing club in 1898 opening up their sporting club to football 17 years later. Named after the Portuguese explorer, Vasco have a large support base in the Portuguese community around Rio. The Gigante da Colina were at the forefront of the battle for diversity... Continue Reading →
Flamengo, Maracanã
Flamengo the current Champions of South America were formed initially as a bit of a rubbish rowing club. In 1895 a group of rowers decided to enter a rowing competition as a way to impress the posh lasses of Rio. The lads managed to cobble together enough money to buy a boat that was so... Continue Reading →
Ferro Carril Oeste, Estadio Arquitecto Ricardo Etcheverri
Ferro formed in 1904 are Buenos Aires Western Railway workers football club, they can be bracketed with other famous railway clubs like Lokomotiv Moscow, Rapid Bucharest and, erm, Harrogate Railways. Named Ferrocarril Oeste de Buenos Aires - Western Railway of Buenos Aires the club left the umbrella of the Railway company in the 1930's. Based... Continue Reading →
Barracas Central, Estadio Claudio Fabián Tapia
The Truckers of Barracas are a small club in the South of Buenos Aires, formed by a truck driver in 1904 have had a largely modest history apart from some bright spots in the 1930's. They now find themselves in the second tier after winning Primera B in 2018/19, their highest league position since the... Continue Reading →
Independiente, Estadio Libertadores de América
Independiente, Los Diablos Rojos, Rey de Copas, The Red Devils, King of Cups are The Copa Libertadores most successful club with seven titles. Based in Avellaneda in the South of Buenos Aires, Independiente's stadium is right next door to fierce rivals Racing. Think Dundee and Dundee United but slightly bigger and more successful. Independiente's formation... Continue Reading →
San Lorenzo, Estadio Pedro Bidegain
They say we're out our minds, but San Lorenzo isn't interested, we drink pure demijohn wine and smoke all the marijuana. San Lorenzo have my second favourite football chant after Sunshine on Leith. Now El Neuvo Gasometro isn't the best ground, it isn't the most interesting ground but I had to see De la Cabeza... Continue Reading →
Boca Juniors, Estadio Alberto J. Armando
One of Argentina's most famous clubs Boca Juniors was undoubtedly one of the main reasons we had made our way to South America. The Xeneizes are Argentina's most successful team with 68* titles. Internationally their 22 titles mean they're the third most successful club team in the world. Most importantly though, they have utterly bonkers... Continue Reading →
Argentinos Juniors, Estadio Diego Armando Maradona
Based in the Barrio of La Paternal around a 40 minute walk from our Airbnb, Argentinos Juniors aren't by any means Buenos Aires biggest club but are certainly one of its most important. The club is probably best known for giving Diego Maradona his debut in senior football aged just 15. El Pibe de Oro... Continue Reading →
Los Pincharratas 