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Real Madrid - FC Barcelona

Barcelona easily beat Real Madrid in the 14th League Championship with 3:0. The November 2005 match at Bernabeu stadium was successful largely due to top player Ronaldinho, who scored two goals, the second one just prior to the hour mark. The 70 000 plus spectators applauded his performance, which came as a surprise considering that it was a home game for Real Madrid, and the Brazilian player represented their biggest opponents. Ronaldinho won the world player prize last year, and he is a sure candidate for the European Football Player, an annual award that is coming up. At this game Real Madrid was denounced by its own supporters.

The teams have a history of bitter rivalry, also known as "the last ten battles". It can be traced back from the tie of season 1995-1996 to the present. Barcelona-Real Madrid matches are a highlight on the international football scene. You cannot call yourself a football fan if you have not attended at least one of these exciting games.

In the 95-96 season there was a draw at 1:1, with both goals being scored in the first half. Barcelona gave a strong start, but it was sadly in vain, and neither team managed to earn points for bigger competitions. This National League Championship game took place on the fifth day of the competition at its traditional venue, Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

The next season was victorious for Real Madrid. The match ended with 2:0 in the team's favour. Real team member Pedia Miijatovic displayed a glorious performance, even though he was burdened by the illness of his son. The player, who scored both goals, had received solid support from his team-mates and coach both on and off the field. It was a collective and triumphant victory. The match of the 1998-99 season ended with a tie, but it was nonetheless a memorable event. The exceptionally talented players performed as if they were playing a final. The match was a historical record in that one member of Real Madrid, Manolo Sanchis, was playing his 779th game for the club.

Real scored an easy victory in the 99-00 season with 3:0. The three goals were scored in the first hour. Several months later Real Madrid won the Championship League. There was another tie in the game of the next season, which featured a brilliant performance by Raul of Real Madrid. During the second-to-last season Barcelona beat Real with 2:1. Xavi and Kluivert scored the two goals. Barcelona gave a strong finish. However, throughout the game Real consistently played better. The last football season was marked by a glorious display on the part of Madrid, which adopted a stylish approach with the aim to reach the Championship. The team triumphed over Barcelona with 4:2. The match took place on the 31st day of the League. The stadium was filled with a record 79 000 spectators.

It is impossible to acquire a comprehensive view of Spanish football without tracing the history of its prime clubs. Football Club Barcelona was established in 1899. It marked its 106th anniversary on November 29th this year. Joan Gamper was its historical founder. He was born in a Swiss canton, and selected maroon and blue as the official team colours because they were the colours of the canton. The symbol of Barcelona is Barca, testifying to the unity of the Catalan nation. The team boasts many splendid victories, among which the European Championship title in 1992 in a match against Sampdoria.

Real Madrid was founded in March, just three years after Barcelona. The first club president was Juan Paros. The team colours were designated as blue and white with a violet band. Arthur Johnson of England was the first coach. Real Madrid had many great successes, but it recorded its golden age proper in the mid-1950s. The team won the European Championship in 1956 for the first time. It had three Spanish League victories until that point. The second celebrated period of the club began in the 1980s, when new talented players joined the team. Sanchis, Vazquez, Michel and Gordillo were some members of the remarkable so-called "Buitre Team", which propelled a new period of splendid successes. The team boasts nine European Cup victories, the most fabulous being 7:3 against Eintracht Franckfort in 1960. Real Madrid also won the UEFA Super Cup in 2002.