Campeonato Regional Vasco

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Lore & Background

The derby was first played on 21 March 1909. Both clubs are the largest in the Basque Country and have stayed in the top division for longer than most clubs, winning several trophies. In the early 1980s, they won four consecutive national titles between them (Real Sociedad in 1980–81 and 1981–82, Athletic Bilbao in 1982–83 and 1983–84), using only local players. Supporters traditionally mix in and around stadiums on matchdays, taking part in events like a 'kalijera' parade and the 'Bertso-derbia' singing contest. The fans have received praise for the relaxed atmosphere. Real Sociedad has played in the second division for 16 seasons, so the derby has not always been contested every season. Athletic Bilbao has never been relegated. In the 21st century, there was a three-year (1,422 days) break between January 2007 and December 2010.

In Their Own Story

In 1921, Athletic won the Copa del Rey, and the star of that team was Pichichi, a prolific goalscorer who had scored the first goal at the San Mamés Stadium on 21 August 1913 and a hat-trick in the 1915 final. The last championship Pichichi won was the 1921 Copa del Rey, before his death at age 29 in 1922. The regional championship that qualified Athletic for that Copa del Rey was the Campeonato Regional Vasco. The source does not provide the specific details of that regional final, but it is clear that without winning the regional tournament, Athletic would not have been able to compete for the national title. The regional championship was the foundation on which Pichichi and his teammates built their legacy.

Reader's Guide

The first meeting between Athletic Bilbao and a team that evolved into Real Sociedad should have taken place in the 1905 Copa del Rey, but Athletic declined to play the dead rubber. In 1909, Club Ciclista de San Sebastián (aligned with San Sebastián Foot-Ball Club) defeated Athletic and won the cup. In 1910, a dispute led to two separate competitions, both later declared official; Athletic won their version. In 1911, Real Sociedad withdrew in protest over accusations that Athletic used ineligible foreign players; Athletic won the trophy without using those players. Regional league competitions began in 1913; after three seasons, they separated into the Biscay Championship and Gipuzkoa Championship, running in parallel for 16 years. In 1934, the Basque Cup ran until 1936. After the Spanish Civil War, regional championships were reinstated for two seasons. The clubs' first league meeting was in February 1929. In 1976, captains Inaxio Kortabarria and José Ángel Iribar displayed the banned Ikurriña after Franco's death; Real Sociedad won 5–0, their biggest derby victory up to that point (matched in 1995). In October 1970, a friendly marked the installation of floodlights at SD Eibar's Ipurua stadium, won by Athletic on penalties. In competitive games, penalties occurred in consecutive cup meetings in 1975, 1982, and 1984, two won by Athletic. Real Sociedad holds the longest unbeaten league run (15 matches, 1993–2000) and consecutive home wins (14, 1969–1982). Athletic holds the record for consecutive league victories in either city (7, 1934–1944). Only five derby matches have taken place with both clubs in the top five league positions: 1979–80, 1981–82 (when Real Sociedad won the title with a derby win on the fi...).

Did You Know?

• The derby is also called the AP-8 derby after the highway connecting Bilbao and San Sebastián.
• Athletic Bilbao has never been relegated from the top division.
• In 1976, the captains displayed the banned Ikurriña flag after Franco's death.
• Real Sociedad's biggest derby victory is 5–0, achieved in 1976 and matched in 1995.