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The Greatest Sporting Rivalry of All Time

Fans and competitors of today’s sports are emotionally committed to passionate sporting rivalry. And it’s been the same story for those who have followed sports for millennia. Whether you’re merely a fan who enjoys watching sports or a punter who likes to place bets and try to win the jackpot online with 22Bet Sportsbook, there’s enough drama to keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Today, at Jackpotfinder.com, we take a look at a few of the most thrilling sports rivalries, including both teams and individual athletes, in no particular order.

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Prost versus Senna

When considering sporting rivalry in Formula 1, Prost vs. Senna stands out above all others. The cool-headed Professor and the smart, passionate Brazilian. The two were teammates at McLaren for two turbulent, exciting seasons in 1988 and 1989, winning more than three-quarters of the races and both titles between them. This circumstance would be repeated two decades later with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. However, it was also a period of ongoing warfare and virulent, polarising animosity. The whole F1 community was divided into competing factions that supported either one man or the other.

Ironically, it was Alain Prost who helped convince McLaren to hire Senna in 1988. However, the Brazilian lost the championship by just 3 points. But that paled in comparison to the title-deciding antics in Japan in 1989, which helped cement this sporting rivalry as one of the greatest in sports history.

Prost felt Senna was taking too many chances during this season and promised to close the door on him. Ayrton Senna won pole position, but Prost got off to a faster start than the Brazilian driver before closing the distance to almost nothing. Senna made a risky or courageous move, depending on your point of view, and Prost promptly closed the door. They came together. Their engines quit working. Prost got out of his car, but Senna used the marshals to give him a push for a rolling start and continue the race. The skilled Brazilian fought his way through the pack to win a renowned race after one pit stop and some hurried repairs. Or so he thought.

However, he didn’t actually win, because Prost controversially had him disqualified him for not finishing the lap where they collided. Prost eventually went on to win the championship.

The Sporting Rivalry Of Real Madrid versus Barcelona

football

The match between Real Madrid and Barcelona FC, two of the biggest names in Spanish football, is known as El Clásico (the Classic), and it is one of the most famous sporting rivalries in history. Goals are not just an occasion for joy when these La Liga soccer heavyweights clash; they are also used to mock the opposing team. Thus adding even greater tension and spice to giving the jackpot games.

El Clásico is a fierce sporting rivalry that also has a political component from the dark days of the Spanish Civil War. Today, Real Madrid or Los Blancos stands in for the Spanish capital and conservatism. Barcelona is the home team in Catalonia representing the progressives. Real Madrid just leads Barcelona in the total number of competitive victories, with 101 to Barcelona’s 97. These games are hectic, disorderly, and frequently tense events as the giants demonstrate that “sport is war without the firing.” It is simple to understand why this is one of the biggest sporting events at 22Bet Sportsbook each year.

Liverpool versus Manchester United

Liverpool and Manchester have been serious rivals for the overall football jackpot since the rise of the Industrial Revolution. This is reflected in one of the fiercest sporting rivalries in the world. This is one sporting rivalry that doesn’t seem to be going away. Maybe it’s due to the two clubs’ combined success in the English Premier League, which includes more than three dozen league titles and nine European Cup (Champions League) victories.

Prior to Manchester United’s golden era under Sir Alex Ferguson, Liverpool had the advantage in the league records thanks to a period of unmatched domination in the 1970s and 1980s. However, Manchester United’s golden era allowed them to catch up and then surpass Liverpool’s league record. Liverpool recently won the league title, they’re first in thirty years, moving them up to 19 and just one behind Manchester United. However, Liverpool holds the upper hand when it comes to European club football’s top reward. They have six titles compared to Manchester United’s two. This may help to explain why their supporters are the most inebriated.

Rangers versus Celtic: A Violent Sporting Rivalry

There are numerous ways to describe the fierce sporting rivalry between Rangers and Celtic in Scotland. However, being friendly is probably not one of them. The intense competition between these Glaswegian teams generally referred to as the “Old Firm,” is as bitter and enduring because of the locations of its fans. While the majority of Celtic’s supporters come from the city’s Catholic parts, Rangers fans are predominantly from the Protestant neighborhoods.

Given that the inaugural Old Firm encounter was played back in 1888, you might have to search far and wide to find a more historically heavy sporting rivalry. The two sides have completely dominated Scottish football over the past century, winning 105 league titles between them. More than 400 games have been played, with Rangers narrowly winning more of them (164 wins to 159). Unfortunately, this intense sporting rivalry exemplifies the darker side of the sport, with numerous deaths associated with brawls amongst their respective fans.

Federer and Nadal

Roger Federer

Even those who are not fans of the sport can instantly recognize the names of exceptional athletes. This is the case with both Swiss tennis player Roger Federer and his Spanish adversary Rafael Nadal. The two currently hold the record for the most Grand Slam victories in history. Nadal has 22 and Federer comes in with 20, though Djokovic comes between them with 21. 

The two also hold a number of other records, including dominating the standings for six straight years. The heated sporting rivalry between Federer and Nadal is significant for several reasons. One of which is the fact that the two players have a great deal of respect for one another. This proves that competition can be friendly rather than hostile. While his Spanish opponent has tremendous power and raw athleticism, the Swiss player possesses an easy grace and an exquisite approach. So close are they in sheer skill, it’s difficult to know how you can increase your jackpot winning chances as a punter.

With an astonishing 14 victories under his belt, Nadal is without a doubt the King of Clay. In fact, he completely rules the French Open. He has the advantage over Federer on the court as well. This is despite Federer having an edge in head-to-head matches on both hard courts and grass. The 2008 Wimbledon final, a five-set thriller that Nadal just won, featured the two men. Even though they won’t be around forever, nevertheless, they have offered years of thrilling entertainment thanks to their sporting rivalry.

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