Rivals
Sport's main rivals are the other two main sides in Recife, Náutico and Santa Cruz.
Náutico is the oldest club in Recife, and Sport is second only to Náutico. A derby between the two clubs is called the "Clássico dos Clássicos" (Derby of all Derbies).
Sport and Santa Cruz are the two most popular football clubs in Pernambuco, so matches between the two sides are called the "Clássico das Multidões" (Derby of the Masses).
Sport's first derby against Náutico was played in 1909, with an attendance of around 4,000 people.
The team also claims to have rivals outside its region, mainly Flamengo due to the Copa União controversy. Due to a series of recent important matches, local supporters regarded both Palmeiras and Corinthians as Sport rivals for a time. Those claims notwithstanding, neither Flamengo, Palmeiras or Corinthians supporters consider Sport to be a major rival.
Read more about this topic: Sport Club Do Recife
Famous quotes containing the word rivals:
“What poet would not grieve to see
His brother write as well as he?
But rather than they should excel,
He’d wish his rivals all in Hell.”
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)