FC Dynamo Moscow - Rivalries

Rivalries

Dynamo's historical rival is Spartak Moscow. Originated in the late 30's, it was the most important game in the Soviet Union for more than three decades, attracting thousands of fans to every game. Ironically on New Year's Day 1936, a combined Dynamo-Spartak team traveled to Paris to face Racing Club de France, then one of Europe's top teams. Shortly after Dynamo clinched the first ever Soviet League by beating Spartak 1:0 in Kharkov, in front of 60.000 spectators. Spartak responded by winning the next championship thus starting one of the biggest sporting and political rivalries in world football. Following Dynamo's decline in the late 70's the heated rivalry has faded. After the collapse of the Soviet Union CSKA Moscow has emerged as Spartak's nemesis. Other rivalries are with CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, Zenit St.Petersburg, and most recently with Anzhi Makhachkala.