Basque derby

The derby was first played in April 1909 and has attracted the attention of local football fans ever since. These two organisations are the largest football clubs in the Basque Country and have stayed in the top division of Spanish football for longer than most clubs, winning several trophies in the last hundred years. Both enjoyed a period of great success in the early 1980s, winning four national titles in succession between them, whilst using only local players.{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2002/08/13/liga/1029227781.html|title=Boris, primer español no vasco en la Real |trans-title=Boris, first non-Basque Spaniard at Real |language=es|newspaper=El Mundo|date=13 August 2002|access-date=12 February 2018}}

Other clubs in the territory have also competed in the top division (and opposed Real Sociedad occasionally in the second tier, in addition to cup ties), with CA Osasuna, Deportivo Alavés, and SD Eibar the most prominent of these; the matches between any of them are also referred to as a “Basque derby”.{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/osasuna-vs-ath-bilbao/210358|title=All square in Basque derby |publisher=Sky Sports|date=26 April 2010|access-date=16 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gasteizhoy.com/el-alaves-se-lleva-el-derby-ante-el-athletic/|title=El Alavés se lleva el derby ante el Athletic|trans-title=Alavés takes the derby against Athletic|newspaper=Gasteiz Hoy|language=es|date=7 May 2017|access-date=30 August 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2017/02/28/actualidad/1488307346_053812.html|title=Real Sociedad-Eibar: Un derbi 'in extremis' |trans-title=Real Sociedad-Eibar: A derby 'in extremis'|newspaper=El País|language=es|date=28 February 2017|access-date=30 August 2017|last1=Rodrigálvarez |first1=Eduardo }}

File:Erreala athletic derby 0001.jpg

Supporters of both teams traditionally mix in and around the stadiums on matchdays,{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/basque-bone-why-athletic-bilbao-vs-real-sociedad-more-game?page=0%2C3|title=Basque to the bone? Why Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad is more than a game|work=FourFourTwo|date=1 November 2006|access-date=16 November 2017|archive-date=16 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116185812/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/features/basque-bone-why-athletic-bilbao-vs-real-sociedad-more-game?page=0%2C3|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20150429/102966873453/partido-bilbao-y-real-sociedad-en-imagenesgallery.html|title=El partido del Athletic-R.Sociedad en imágenes|trans-title=The Athletic-R.Sociedad match in images|newspaper=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=29 April 2015 |access-date=28 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eitb.eus/es/fotos/detalle/748382/real-sociedad-vs-athletic-bilbao-best-match-moments/|title=Real Sociedad-Athletic, en imágenes|trans-title=Real Sociedad-Athletic in images|publisher=EITB|language=es|date=3 Oct 2011|access-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828145159/http://www.eitb.eus/es/fotos/detalle/748382/real-sociedad-vs-athletic-bilbao-best-match-moments/|archive-date=28 August 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-50-biggest-football-derbies-rivalries-world-50-41?page=0%2C1|title=50 biggest derbies in the world: 45 — Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=25 April 2016|access-date=28 August 2017|archive-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513125718/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwo-50-biggest-football-derbies-rivalries-world-50-41?page=0,1|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/real-sociedad/607454-el-abrazo-del-derbi.html|title=El abrazo del derbi|trans-title=The embrace of the derby|newspaper=Vavel|language=es|date=18 February 2016 |access-date=28 August 2017}} somewhat unusually for a local derby, and take part in organised accompanying events such as a 'kalijera' (a supporters' parade from the city centre to the stadium) and the 'Bertso-derbia', a singing and poetry contest between the two groups in the style of the traditional Bertsolaritza.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/spanish-primera-division/15/blog/post/3312276/athletic-bilbao-real-sociedad-ready-to-renew-a-special-basque-derby-rivalry|title=Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad ready to renew a special Basque derby rivalry|last=Lowe|first=Sid|publisher=ESPN |date=15 December 2017 |access-date=9 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/dec/15/spanish-football-fragmented-flat-la-liga-blog |title=Spanish football has become fragmented and flat |last=Lowe|first=Sid|work=The Guardian|date=15 December 2014 |access-date=16 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/18529/tenth-bertsoderbia-for-educational-centers.html |title=Tenth Bertsoderbia for educational centres|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=4 December 2017 |access-date=16 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/nov/02/athletic-bilbao-proud-journey-win-beyond-ball-games |title=Proud Athletic Bilbao are on a journey to find ways to win beyond ball games|last=Lowe|first=Sid|work=The Guardian|date=2 November 2019|access-date=24 January 2020 }} The fans have received praise for the relaxed atmosphere which usually accompanies the derby matches,{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/athletic-bilbao-vs-real-sociedad-fifa-should-recognise-basque-derby-fair-play-award-1545309|title=Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad: Fifa should recognise Basque derby with fair play award|work=International Business Times|date=22 February 2016|access-date=15 December 2017}} and although incidents have occurred within the stadia, the hostility is usually directed towards rival players rather than fans.

Real Sociedad has played in the second division for some short periods of its history (16 seasons, the longest spell being five years) and for that reason the derby has not always been contested every season. Athletic Bilbao has never been relegated,{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/10880323/athletic-bilbaos-methods-provide-lessons-for-premier-league-clubs|title=Athletic Bilbao's methods provide lessons for Premier League clubs|publisher=Sky Sports|date=18 May 2017|access-date=26 December 2017}} meaning all their league matches have taken place in the top tier. In the 21st century, there has only been one enforced break in the fixtures, a three-year (1400 days) hiatus between January 2007 and December 2010.{{cite web|url=http://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/noticias/2010-12-05/derbi-disputa-desde-mediodia-20101205.html|title=El derbi se disputa desde el mediodía|trans-title=The derby is disputed from noon|publisher=El Diario Vasco|language=es|date=5 December 2010|access-date=17 December 2017}}

File:Club Ciclista Campeonato-de-España 1909.jpg team with the 1909 Copa del Rey]]

The first meeting between Athletic Bilbao and a team which evolved into Real Sociedad should have taken place in the 1905 Copa del Rey, which consisted of a mini-league with just three teams: Athletic, hosts Madrid F.C. and San Sebastián Recreation Club.{{cite web|url=http://www.linguasport.com/futbol/nacional/copa/Copa05.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030910160133/http://www.linguasport.com/futbol/nacional/copa/Copa05.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=10 September 2003 |title=Copa del Rey Alfonso XIII 1905|trans-title=Cup of King Alfonso XIII 1905|language=es|website=LinguaSport|access-date=14 December 2017}} After Madrid defeated both Basque teams, Athletic declined to play the dead rubber between them. Despite this withdrawal, however, the federation considers Athletic to be the runners-up in the tournament as it was their match with Madrid which confirmed the latter as the winners.

By the 1909 event, the Recreation Club had evolved into San Sebastián Foot-Ball Club but aligned with Club Ciclista de San Sebastián to meet the entry requirements.{{cite web|url=http://www.linguasport.com/futbol/nacional/copa/Copa09.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113051909/http://www.linguasport.com/FUTBOL/nacional/copa/Copa09.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=13 January 2012 |title=Copa del Rey Alfonso XIII 1909|trans-title=Cup of King Alfonso XIII 1909|language=es|website=LinguaSport|access-date=14 December 2017}} They defeated Athletic in the opening round and went on to win the trophy.{{cite news|url=http://gara.naiz.eus/paperezkoa/20090906/155280/es/Un-siglo-futbol-club-ciclista-origen|title=Un siglo de fútbol con el club ciclista como origen|trans-title=A century of football with a cycling club as its origin|language=es|publisher=Gara|date=6 June 2009|access-date=16 December 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2009/08/15/mas_futbol/1250317621_850215.html|title=Todo empezó en el Club Ciclista San Sebastián...|trans-title=It all started at the Club Ciclista San Sebastián...|language=es|publisher=Diario AS|date=15 August 2009|access-date=14 December 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.diariovasco.com/v/20140409/deportes/mas-futbol/cumplen-anos-primer-titulo-20140409.html|title=Se cumplen 105 años del primer título de Copa donostiarra que conquistó el Club Ciclista|trans-title=It is 105 years since the San Sebastian's first cup win, conquered by Club Ciclista|language=es|publisher=El Diario Vasco|date=9 April 2014|access-date=14 December 2017}}

File:Athletic 1910.jpg-winning team]]

The following year, the club was renamed Sociedad de Foot-Ball de San Sebastián and had received royal patronage, entitling it to add the prefix Real. However a dispute occurred over the entitlement of Real Sociedad to claim the honour of champions, and two separate competitions were held (both of which were later declared official, meaning there are two 1910 winners). Although Real Sociedad hosted their version of the competition at their Ondarreta ground, once again they did not meet the requisite statutes and their players joined with another club to participate, this time Vasconia Sporting Club.{{cite web|url=http://www.linguasport.com/futbol/nacional/copa/Copa10.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030910160228/http://www.linguasport.com/futbol/nacional/copa/Copa10.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=10 September 2003 |title=Copa del Rey Alfonso XIII 1910, Copa de la Unión Española de Clubes (no oficial) |trans-title=Cup of King Alfonso XIII 1910, Cup of the Spanish Union of Clubs (unofficial)|language=es|website=LinguaSport|access-date=14 December 2017}}{{cite web|last=Agiriano|first=Jon|url=https://athletic.elcorreo.com/noticias/2010-01-06/colores-siglo-20100106.html|title=Los Colores del Siglo |trans-title=The colours of the century |language=es|work=El Correo|access-date=15 October 2018 |date=6 June 2010 }} Once more it was a three-team league involving Athletic Bilbao and Madrid, with Athletic winning both of their matches to win the cup, with the decisive win being over Vasconia who are thus listed as runners-up (and in any case they beat Madrid to confirm that status).{{cite web|url=http://www.euskonews.com/0290zbk/gaia29002es.html|title=El Athletic de Bilbao, campeón de la Copa de España de fútbol de 1910|trans-title=Athletic de Bilbao, champion of the 1910 Spanish Cup|language=es|publisher=Euskonews & Media|date=25 February 2005|access-date=14 December 2017}}

In the 1911 Copa del Rey, Real Sociedad withdrew in protest after their accusations that other teams, primarily Athletic Bilbao, were using ineligible foreign players, were rejected.{{cite news|url=http://www.lavanguardia.com/deportes/futbol/20111218/54241232095/athletic-bilbao-cien-anos-sin-extranjeros.html|title=Athletic de Bilbao, cien años sin extranjeros|trans-title=Athletic Bilbao, a hundred years without foreigners|language=es|newspaper=La Vanguardia|date=18 November 2011|access-date=12 February 2018}} Athletic went on to win the trophy without using the disputed players, although they did use some from Atlético Madrid which at that time was a branch of the older Bilbao club.{{cite web | url = https://memoriasdelfutbolvasco.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/manuel-garnica/ | title = Manuel Garnica, the "Saint" who scored a goal with Athletic | trans-title =Manuel Garnica, el “Santo” que metió un gol con el Athletic |language=es|website = Memorias del Fútbol Vasco (Memories of Basque Football) | date= 30 March 2014 |access-date = 15 October 2018}}{{cite web | url =https://www.abc.es/20120508/deportes-futbol/abci-historia-athletic-atletico-201205071903.html | title = Athletic-Atlético, historia de dos parientes| trans-title= Athletic-Atlético, history of two relatives| language=es |newspaper = ABC | date=8 May 2012|access-date = 10 October 2018 }} This led to the Royal Spanish Football Federation introducing a rule for the next year's competition that all players must be Spanish citizens.{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/2017/03/11/real-sociedad/764769-athletic-el-origen-de-la-filosofia.html|title=Athletic Club: el origen de la filosofía|trans-title=Athletic Club: origin of the philosophy| language=es |publisher=Vavel| date=11 March 2017|access-date=15 October 2018}} Athletic chose to maintain the approach of using only local Basque players even when the regulations were relaxed some years later, a tradition which has continued into the 21st century.{{cite web|url=https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/2018/06/28/virtues-and-consequences-of-being-a-club-fielding-only-homegrown-talent|title=Virtues and consequences of being a club fielding only homegrown talent|publisher=Athletic Bilbao |date=28 June 2018|access-date=31 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/noticias/2012/05/120508_athletic_bilbao_fain_binda_cch.shtml|title=¿Por qué en el Athletic de Bilbao solo juegan vascos?|trans-title=Why do Athletic Bilbao play with Basques only?|publisher=BBC|website=BBC Mundo |language=es|date=9 May 2012|access-date=12 February 2018}} Real had a similar policy from the late 1960s, but it was dropped for foreign imports in 1989 when they signed the Republic of Ireland forward John Aldridge,{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/spanish-primera-division/15/blog/post/2345987/when-john-aldridge-returned-to-real-sociedad-he-got-a-heros-welcome-writes-sid-lowe |title=When John Aldridge returned to Real Sociedad, he got a hero's welcome writes Sid Lowe |publisher=ESPN |date=2015-03-13 |access-date=2016-09-25}}{{cite web |url= https://as.com/m/diarioas/2015/03/09/english/1425923329_131050.html |title= Real Sociedad roll out the red carpet for John Aldridge |publisher= Diario AS |date= 9 March 2015 |access-date= 20 July 2017 |archive-date= 15 October 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181015114640/https://as.com/diarioas/2015/03/09/english/1425923329_131050.html |url-status= dead }}[https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2021/feb/25/aldridge-richardson-and-atkinson-at-real-sociedad-goals-class-red-ferrari Goals, class, a red Ferrari: Aldridge, Richardson and Atkinson at la Real], Sid Lowe, The Guardian, 25 February 2021 and for non-Basque Spanish players in 2002 with the transfer of Boris from Real Oviedo.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.es/hemeroteca/historico-06-08-2002/Deportes/boris-acabara-con-30-a%C3%B1os-de-tradicion-en-la-real_119558.html|title=Boris acabará con 30 años de tradición en la Real|trans-title=Boris to end 30-year tradition at Real|language=es|newspaper=ABC|date=6 August 2002|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-date=15 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015153109/https://www.abc.es/hemeroteca/historico-06-08-2002/Deportes/boris-acabara-con-30-a%C3%B1os-de-tradicion-en-la-real_119558.html|url-status=dead}}

File:Basque Derby League Performance.svg

In October 1913, a friendly was held between the two teams to inaugurate Real Sociedad's Atotxa Stadium; the result was a 3–3 draw and the first goalscorer at the stadium was Pichichi, Athletic's legendary forward of the age{{cite news|url=http://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/noticias/2013-10-12/535561-viejo-atocha-abrio-puertas-hace.html|title=El viejo Atocha abrió sus puertas hace un siglo|trans-title=Old Atocha opened its doors a century ago|language=es|publisher=El Diario Vasco|date=12 October 2013|access-date=14 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/match-statistics/1_4159/1913-14_real-sociedad_athletic-club.html|title=Real Sociedad 3 Athletic Club 3|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=5 October 1913|access-date=14 December 2017}} who had also been the first scorer in the opening match at Athletic Bilbao's own new ground, San Mames, two months earlier.{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2013/08/21/paisvasco/1377102106.html|title=El viejo San Mamés cumpliría hoy cien años|trans-title=Old San Mamés would be 100 years old today|newspaper=El Mundo|language=es|date=21 August 2013|access-date=14 December 2017}} In the same year, regional league competitions were introduced to the area to determine the qualifying teams for the Copa del Rey. In the first three seasons, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad were in the same competition, but due to repeated disputes by the rival provinces, these separated into the Biscay Championship – dominated by Athletic and Arenas Club de Getxo – and the Gipuzkoa Championship – usually won by Real Sociedad or Real Unión – which ran in parallel for sixteen years.

In 1934 the top six clubs in the region, including Athletic and Real (then known as Donostia FC under the Second Spanish Republic which rejected regal names), were involved in the Basque Cup which ran until 1936 when the Spanish Civil War brought an end to organised football for three years. At the end of the conflict, the regional championships were re-instated for two further seasons, with Atlético de Bilbao (another renaming, this time an order of Franco's regime prohibiting non-Spanish words that lasted until the 1970s) and Real Sociedad kept apart. By then, the national league was well established, with the clubs' first meeting in that competition occurring in February 1929.{{cite web|url=http://www.laliga.es/en/news/derby-stats-and-curiosities-of-the-basque-derby|title=Derby stats and curiosities of the Basque derby|publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional|date=4 January 2014|access-date=16 December 2017}}

In 1969, the rare possibility of a Basque cup final was ended when Elche defeated Real Sociedad in the semi-finals{{cite web|url=http://diariofranjiverde.com/1969-semifinal-final/|title=1969: Una semifinal de hasta tres partidos y una gran final|trans-title=1969: A semifinal of up to three matches and a great final|language=es|publisher=Diario Franjiverde|date=2 April 2013|access-date=9 January 2018|archive-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110114632/http://diariofranjiverde.com/1969-semifinal-final/|url-status=dead}} before losing to Athletic Bilbao in Madrid.{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/athletic-de-bilbao/274469.html|title=Ante el Elche llegó la 21ª Copa|trans-title=The 21st Cup came against Elche|language=es|publisher=Vavel|date=29 October 2013|access-date=9 January 2018}} This was a repeat of the events of the 1958 competition when Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad but lost to Athletic,{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2015/05/27/actualidad/1432714792_442526.html|title=El día que Gaínza regateó a Franco|trans-title=The day that Gaínza dribbled Franco|language=es|newspaper=El País|date=27 May 2015|access-date=9 January 2018}} while in 1965 both Basque clubs had been eliminated in the semi-finals.

File:Ikurrina, Euskal Derbia, 1976.jpg

Both clubs are proud of their Basque identity; in addition to employing a cantera system for developing local players,[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55405431 Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad: How La Real's trust in youth is paying off], Alex Bysouth, BBC Sport, 29 December 2020 in 1976 their captains Inaxio Kortabarria and José Ángel Iribar famously led the teams onto the field displaying the banned Ikurriña (Basque flag) following the death of General Franco.{{cite web|url=http://www.canalathletic.com/noticias/2010-12-03/aquel-historico-diciembre-1976-20101203.html|title=Aquel histórico 5 de diciembre de 1976|trans-title=That historic 5 December 1976|newspaper=El Correo|language=es|date=3 December 2010|access-date=28 August 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/02/19/how-a-basque-derby-brought-about-the-legalisation-of-the-basque-flag/|title=How a Basque derby brought about the legalisation of the Basque flag|website=The Football Times|date=19 February 2016|access-date=16 December 2017}} Real Sociedad proved far superior on the pitch that day, winning 5–0, their biggest-ever derby victory up to that point (they eventually matched it in 1995).{{cite web|url=http://www.gipuzkoasport.com/2013/09/real-sociedad-5-0-athletic/|title=Real Sociedad 5–0 Athletic, Temporada 1994–1995|language=es|website=Gipuzkoa Sport|date=4 September 2013|access-date=14 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208204334/http://www.gipuzkoasport.com/2013/09/real-sociedad-5-0-athletic/|archive-date=8 February 2019|url-status=dead}}

Although Real Sociedad nowadays select foreign players, both clubs usually incorporate the Ikurriña on their kit and the captains' armbands invariably feature the flag, while mutual displays by the players, such as support for an official Basque Country national team, are often seen.{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2012/09/28/actualidad/1348864903_977636.html|title=Un 'clásico' sin argumentos|trans-title=A 'classic' without arguments|newspaper=El País|language=es|date=28 September 2012|access-date=28 August 2017|last1=Rodrigálvarez|first1=Eduardo}}

In October 1970 the clubs had met in a friendly to mark the installation of floodlights at SD Eibar's stadium, Ipurua, won by Athletic on a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw.{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/match-statistics/1_3746/1970-71_athletic-club_real-sociedad.html|title=Athletic Club 1 Real Sociedad 1|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=14 October 1970|access-date=14 December 2017}} In competitive games, penalties would become a fairly common feature of cup ties with three taking place in consecutive meetings (1975, 1982, 1984), two of which were also won by Athletic.

In terms of results sequences in the league, Real Sociedad hold two accolades: longest unbeaten league run of 15 matches, 1993 to 2000{{cite web|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/e30.html?cat=1a&temp=-&rival=6&cas=0&for=0|title=Real Sociedad results v Athletic club (filtered: League)|website=BDFutbol|access-date=15 December 2017}} (Athletic's best is 11, 1958 to 1968) and consecutive home wins with 14, between 1969 and 1982{{cite web|url=http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/past-seasons.html|title=Past seasons (filtered: vs Real Sociedad, League)|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|access-date=15 December 2017}} (Athletic achieved 5 between 2002 and 2005). Athletic hold the record for consecutive league victories in either city, with a fairly modest seven wins spanning either side of the Civil War (1934 to 1944).

Although both clubs have been fairly successful at various points in their history, only five derby matches have taken place with both clubs placed in the top five league positions at the time: 1979–80, 1981–82 (when Real Sociedad won the title with a derby win on the final day), 1987–88, 1997–98 and 2013–14.

In 2016, an annual friendly match was established incorporating the results of the Basque derby, as well as other league fixtures between teams in the region, with the two clubs holding the best records being invited to play in the 'final' prior to the start of the following season.{{cite web|url=http://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/20160825/404182211036/athletic-real-euskal-herria-kirola-osasuna-alaves-eibar.html|publisher=Mundo Deportivo |title=Los equipos vascos pugnarán por la Txapela|trans-title=The Basque teams will fight for the Txapela|language=es|date=25 August 2016|access-date=1 August 2017}} Although Real Sociedad finished 6th in 2016–17, the highest among Basque teams, their record against their neighbours was inferior to those of Athletic Bilbao and Alavés{{cite web|url=http://www.elcorreo.com/bizkaia/deportes/futbol/201707/04/final-txapelketa-entre-athletic-20170704141644.html|title=Un derbi Athletic-Alavés una semana antes de la Liga|trans-title=An Athletic-Alavés derby one week before the League|language=es|publisher=El Correo|date=5 July 2017|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=30 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330143255/https://www.elcorreo.com/bizkaia/deportes/futbol/201707/04/final-txapelketa-entre-athletic-20170704141644.html|url-status=dead}} (the match between them in Barakaldo was not completed due to indiscipline among the players).{{cite news|url=http://www.naiz.eus/eu/actualidad/noticia/20170812/el-trio-arbitral-abandona-el-campo-cuando-athletic-y-alaves-empataban-a-dos-goles|publisher=Naiz|title=El trío arbitral abandona el campo cuando Athletic y Alavés empataban a dos goles |trans-title=The trio of officials leave the field with Athletic and Alavés tied at two goals |language=es|date=12 August 2017|access-date=10 December 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.berria.eus/paperekoa/1909/025/001/2017-08-13/eman_gabe_geratu_da_kopa.htm|publisher=Berria|title=Eman gabe geratu da Kop |trans-title=Left without the cup |language=eu|date=13 August 2017 |access-date=10 December 2017}} The second edition did feature Athletic v Real, with the Bilbao team winning 1–0 in Irun.{{cite news|url=http://eldesmarque.com/bizkaia/athletic-club/noticias/173219-williams-da-al-athletic-la-txapela-de-mejor-equipo-vasco-0-1|title=Williams da al Athletic la txapela de mejor equipo vasco: 0-1|trans-title=Williams gives Athletic the 'cap' of best Basque team: 0-1|language=es|publisher=El Desmarque |date=4 August 2018|access-date=9 November 2018}} The third was won by Eibar over Real Sociedad,[http://www.sdeibar.com/noticia/el-eibar-cierra-la-pretemporada-adjudicandose-la-euskal-herria-txapelketa El Eibar cierra la pretemporada adjudicándose la Euskal Herria Txapelketa] (Eibar finish preseason by being awarded the Basque Championship), SD Eibar, 10 August 2019 (in Spanish) who finally took the title at the fourth attempt in 2020 by beating Osasuna.[https://www.realsociedad.eus/en/news/details/real-finish-the-pre-season-well Real finish the pre-season well], Real Sociedad, 5 September 2020

Both teams qualified for the 2020 Copa del Rey final,{{cite web|url=https://es.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/025a-0ea033518e97-56eaf20965ce-1000--un-derbi-vasco-en-la-final/|title=Copa del Rey: El Athletic asegura un derbi en la final|trans-title=Copa del Rey: Athletic ensures a derby in the final |website=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|language=es|date=5 March 2020|access-date=13 March 2020}}[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51766095 Copa del Rey: Athletic Bilbao beat Granada to set up all-Basque final with Sociedad], BBC Sport, 5 March 2020 the first ever Basque derby showdown (disregarding the mini-league involving Athletic and Vasconia in 1910).[https://www.realsociedad.eus/es/noticias/detalle/derbi-final# Será un derbi] (it will be a derby), Real Sociedad de Fútbol (in Spanish), 5 March 2020[https://www.si.com/.amp/soccer/2020/03/05/athletic-bilbao-granada-copa-del-rey-all-basque-final Athletic Bilbao Scores Late to Set Up All-Basque Copa Del Rey Final], Sports Illustrated, 6 March 2020 Originally scheduled for 18 April, the fixture was postponed due to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic in Spain which had led to other matches being cancelled or played in an empty stadium, something the clubs wished to avoid, particularly given the significance of the match.[https://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/2020/03/11/aplazada-la-final-de-la-copa-del-rey The final of the Copa del Rey postponed], Athletic Bilbao, 11 March 2020 It was eventually played – in an empty stadium – 350 days after its original date, on 3 April 2021.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56541183 Athletic Bilbao: Basque club facing two Copa del Rey finals in two weeks], Alex Bysouth, BBC Sport, 2 April 2021[https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2021/apr/02/copa-del-rey-final-real-sociedad-athletic-bilbao-basque-derby A final like no other: la Real, Athletic and the biggest Basque derby ever], Sid Lowe, The Guardian, 2 April 2021 In a tense match featuring several players with ties to the opposition, and which produced many fouls and few chances, Mikel Oyarzabal scored the only goal – from a penalty – to give Real Sociedad a historic victory and their first major trophy since 1987.{{Cite news|last=Lowe|first=Sid|date=3 April 2021|title=Real Sociedad beat Athletic to claim Copa del Rey and Basque glory|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/03/athletic-bilbao-real-sociedad-copa-del-rey-2020-final-match-report|access-date=4 April 2021|issn=0261-3077}}

File:Joseba etxeberria.jpg moved between the clubs in 1995]]

Several players have played for both clubs, such as Loren Juarros, Joseba Etxeberria{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/diario/1995/07/07/ultima/805068001_850215.html|title=550 millones por un juvenil: Athletic paga por Etxeberria un traspaso récord por un español|trans-title=550 million for a youth: Athletic pays a record transfer for a Spaniard for Etxeberria|language=es|newspaper=El País|date=7 July 1995|access-date=16 December 2017}} and Iban Zubiaurre{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051122163418/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/intertotocup/news/kind=1/newsid=313559.html|archive-date=22 November 2005|url=http://www.uefa.com/competitions/intertotocup/news/kind=1/newsid=313559.html |title=Zubiaurre gets Athletic chance|publisher=UEFA |date=1 July 2005|access-date=19 June 2018}} whose direct transfers from Real to Athletic caused deep resentment and a cooling of the fraternal relationship between the clubs{{cite book|last=Ball|first=Phil|title=Morbo: the story of Spanish football (p.37)|year=2001|publisher=WSC Books Limited|isbn=9780954013462|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/morbostoryofspan0000ball}} (and in the case of the latter, a lawsuit regarding the legality of the deal).{{cite web|url=https://as.com/futbol/2005/07/02/mas_futbol/1120285630_850215.html|title=El Athletic presentó ayer a Zubiaurre y la Real estalla|trans-title=Athletic presented Zubiaurre yesterday and Real explodes |publisher=Diario AS|language=es|date=2 July 2005|access-date=19 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2008/06/04/futbol/1212582939.html |title=El Athletic tendrá que pagar cinco millones a la Real por Zubiaurre|trans-title=Athletic to pay Real Sociedad €5 million for Zubiaurre|language=es|newspaper=El Mundo|date=5 June 2008|access-date=14 December 2017}} By contrast, Bittor Alkiza's move was better received, and he later returned to San Sebastián.{{cite news|url=http://athletic.elcorreo.com/noticias/201507/02/otros-realistas-acabaron-athletic-20150702131210.html|title=Los otros realistas que acabaron en el Athletic|trans-title=The other 'Realists' who ended up at Athletic|language=es|newspaper=El Correo|date=2 July 2015|access-date=16 December 2017}} Others who made the move, almost all from Real to Athletic, include Luciano Iturrino, David Billabona, Andoni Imaz, Igor Gabilondo, Iñigo Díaz de Cerio, Xabier Castillo, Gorka Elustondo{{cite web|url=http://bizkaia.eldesmarque.com/athletic-club/reportajes/48444-elustondo-nunca-he-sido-anti-athletic|title=Elustondo: "Nunca he sido anti Athletic"|trans-title=Elustondo: "I've never been anti-Athletic"|language=es|publisher=El Desmarque|date=11 September 2015|access-date=20 December 2017}} and Mikel Balenziaga.{{cite news|url=http://athletic.elcorreo.com/noticias/2010-12-01/athletic-pagado-casi-millones-20101201.html|title=El Athletic ha pagado casi 15 millones a la Real en 21 años|trans-title=Athletic has paid almost 15 million to Real in 21 years|language=es|newspaper=El Correo|date=1 December 2010|access-date=16 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/05/09/album-02/1399644404_476184.html|title=Athletic - Real Sociedad, un viaje de ida y vuelta por la A-8|trans-title=Athletic-Real Sociedad, a journey back and forth on the A8|newspaper=Vavel|language=es|date=4 March 2012|access-date=28 August 2017|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828143148/https://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/05/09/album-02/1399644404_476184.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/05/09/album-02/1399644404_476184.html|title=Athletic Club-Real Sociedad: jugadores en los dos bandos|trans-title=Athletic Club-Real Sociedad: players on both sides|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=9 May 2014|access-date=28 August 2017|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828143148/https://futbol.as.com/futbol/2014/05/09/album-02/1399644404_476184.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/noticias/201610/13/hasta-trece-transfugas-defendido-20161013005246-v.html|title=Real Sociedad: Hasta trece tránsfugas han defendido las dos camisetas|trans-title=Up to thirteen 'traitors' have defended the two shirts|newspaper=El Diario Vasco|language=es|date=13 October 2016|access-date=28 August 2017}}

In January 2018, Iñigo Martínez made the same move, with his transfer only made possible by Athletic paying his €32 million contractual release clause amount, making it impossible for Real Sociedad to reject the approach.{{cite news|url=http://www.athletic-club.eus/en/news/18697/inigo-martinez-jokalaria-fitxatu-du-athletic-clubek.html|title=Iñigo Martínez signing|publisher=Athletic Bilbao|date=30 January 2018|access-date=30 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/athletic-bilbao-sign-martinez-from-real-sociedad/g2qcqw6nfa8t1fj74qrh862fb|title=Athletic Bilbao sign Inigo Martinez to replace Aymeric Laporte|publisher=Goal.com|date=30 January 2018|access-date=30 January 2018}} In turn, the buying club only had the sufficient financial means due to receiving approximately double that amount the same day for Aymeric Laporte who moved to Manchester City, also via his release clause.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42873612|title=Aymeric Laporte: Manchester City sign French defender for club-record £57m|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 January 2018|access-date=30 January 2018 }} Real Sociedad's response to the defection of Martínez – who had previously been quoted as saying he would never move to Athletic Bilbao – was to offer a new replica jersey to all supporters who presented an older one with his name on the back at the club shops, with the process titled 'He's history'.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2018/02/02/primera/1517603322_973793.html |title=Gran respuesta al intercambio de camisetas de Iñigo Martínez |trans-title=Great response to the exchange of Iñigo Martínez shirts |language=es|newspaper=Diario|date=2 February 2018|access-date=3 February 2018}} In addition to being the most expensive move between two Basque clubs, the Martínez fee was the new record for spending by Athletic (the Laporte deal became the record amount received by them); Real Sociedad had received slightly more in 2013 when Asier Illarramendi transferred to Real Madrid.{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2013/07/12/4112360/real-madrid-reveal-3219-million-illarra-fee?ICID=CP_124|title=Real Madrid reveal €32.19 million Illarra fee|publisher=Goal|date=12 July 2013|access-date=30 January 2018}}

Eight coaches have been in charge of both clubs, including Rafael Iriondo, José María Amorrortu, Javier Irureta and Javier Clemente who are better known for their spells with Athletic Bilbao, whereas Salvador Artigas had a more significant association with the Txuriurdin; the others are Lippo Hertzka, Antonio Barrios and Baltasar Albéniz.{{cite news|url=http://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/noticias/201610/13/ocho-entrenadores-ocupado-banquillos-20161013005104-v.html |title=Ocho entrenadores han ocupado los dos banquillos|trans-title=Eight coaches have occupied the two benches |language=es|newspaper=El Diario Vasco|date=13 October 2016 |access-date=16 December 2017}}

File:Jesus Mari Satrustegi (cropped).jpg has 14 goals in the fixture for Real Sociedad]]

The top scorers in the fixture are Athletic's Zarra and Real's Jesús María Satrústegui, both on 14, with Zarra's all scored in the league and Satrus with 13 in the league and one in the cup.{{cite news|url=http://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/noticias/2014-01-05/544739-gran-derbi.html |title=Va a ser un gran derbi |trans-title="It's going to be a great derby" |language=es|newspaper=El Diario Vasco|date=5 January 2014 |access-date=15 December 2017}} Dani has 13, with nine of those in the league.

Zarra is the player with the most goals scored in a match, netting five times in his team's 7–1 victory in 1951. Athletic had previously achieved a 7–1 (in San Sebastián) in 1930, and won 6–1 in the match in Bilbao later that same year. However, their record margin of victory was 7–0 in 1935, with Bata getting three. Real's player scoring record in a single match was 3 goals, set by George McGuinness in their first-ever cup tie in 1909, later matched in the league in 1932 by Cholín and in 1995 by Meho Kodro, whose hat-trick in the 5–0 home win contributed to his transfer to FC Barcelona at the end of that season, giving him no further opportunity to add to his derby goals tally. In a twist of irony for the derby, Meho's son Kenan later played for Athletic.

File:Partido de fútbol entre la Real Sociedad y el Atlético de Bilbao en el campo de Atotxa (4 de 5) - Fondo Marín-Kutxa Fototeka.jpg, 1965]]

{{updated|24 November 2024}}

{{notelist}}

{{notelist}}

{{notelist}}

• Total: Athletic Bilbao with 70 higher finishes, Real Sociedad with 23 higher finishes (as of the end of the 2023–24 season).

Athletic Bilbao established their women's team in 2002, with that of Real Sociedad founded two years later and reaching the top tier in 2006. While Athletic have won the national league title on five occasions, Real have yet to be champions, although they have never been relegated from the top division and in 2019 were winners of the Copa de la Reina, which Athletic had never been able to do.[https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/real-sociedad-make-history-as-they-stun-atletico-to-win-copa-de-la-reina-7450431 Real Sociedad make history as they stun Atletico to win Copa de la Reina] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515031549/https://www.sport-english.com/en/news/real-sociedad-make-history-as-they-stun-atletico-to-win-copa-de-la-reina-7450431 |date=15 May 2019 }}, Sport, 11 May 2019

In February 2019, a Basque derby league fixture hosted by Real Sociedad, which would usually be held at the club's Zubieta training centre, was played at the Anoeta Stadium, attracting an attendance of 21,234 (the result was a 2–2 draw).{{cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/futbol-femenino/2019/02/10/5c60596a468aebc81c8b460c.html|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=10 February 2019|access-date=19 February 2019|title=Anoeta también se vuelca con el fútbol femenino|trans-title=Anoeta also turns to women's football}} This attendance record was beaten in October 2019, at the same stadium, for a 2–0 Athletic away win watched by 28,367 spectators.{{cite web|url=https://futbolfemenino.rfef.es/es/primera-iberdrola/noticias/ambiente-espectacular-anoeta-pone-broche-oro-quinta-jornada-primera-iberdrola/|publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation|language=es|title=Un ambiente espectacular en Anoeta pone el broche de oro a la quinta jornada de la Primera Iberdrola|trans-title=A spectacular atmosphere in Anoeta puts the finishing touch to the fifth day of the Primera Iberdrola|date=13 October 2019|access-date=28 July 2020|archive-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013175024/https://futbolfemenino.rfef.es/es/primera-iberdrola/noticias/ambiente-espectacular-anoeta-pone-broche-oro-quinta-jornada-primera-iberdrola/|url-status=dead}}

{{updated|4 September 2023}}

{{notelist}}

• Basque football derbies

{{reflist}}

• [http://archivo.marca.com/reportajes/07/01/26/derbi_vasco/historia.html Basque Derby at Marca.com]

{{Athletic Bilbao}}

{{Real Sociedad}}

{{Spanish football rivalries}}

Category:Athletic Bilbao

Category:Real Sociedad

Category:Football rivalries in Spain

Category:Football in the Basque Country (autonomous community)

Category:Sport in San Sebastián

Category:Sport in Bilbao

Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1909