Partizan Belgrade vs Red Star: The Eternal Derby Fuelled by Pure Hatred

The Eternal Derby is part of 90min's 50 Biggest Derbies in the World Series

​Hate is a strong word. It gets flung around far too often, overused in many aspects of day-to-day life and its force has been diluted as a result.

Look up Partizan Belgrade vs Red Star in the dictionary, however, and you will find a simple one-word definition; hate.

OK, sure, not actually, because that isn't a word, but still, you get the picture. These two do not like each other. At all.

Going to one of these derbies is probably on most football fans' bucket lists. It's heated, energetic, menacing and fiercely competitive. Unfortunately, you'd have to get a ticket first, and that might be an issue. Why? Because this clash is everything in Serbia, let alone the city of Belgrade.

It dominates the whole country in the weeks building up to it, so try to imagine how it is in the capital. I can't, I've never been, but I'll do my best to give you an overview of one of world football's most intense footballing rivalries.

Let's start with a bit of history, shall we? Both sides were formed in 1945 after the end of World War Two, Partizan by the military and Red Star by some members of the police force. Often with derbies such as these, you might find a political undercurrent. That isn't the case for this particular football match, it's purely sport related, which means the most important aspect can take centre stage; football.

The pair have been at loggerheads for more than 70 years, and in the 162 times the clubs have faced off, it is Red Star who hold the edge with 64 wins to Partizan's 47. That makes for a fairly even split, which means the clashes themselves are tough to call on the best of days. Not to mention the form book goes out the window in derbies. Everyone knows that.

Since 1992, on only four occasions has the Serbian SuperLiga finished without either Partizan or Red Star occupying first and second spot. That clearly demonstrates that these two are the country's leading sides, while their dominance of the league has been ongoing for a considerable length of time.

Over the years there have been some memorable encounters, although most, sadly, rarely play out calmly. Yes, as you will already know, violence often soils these clashes.

Be it in the city during the build up or, most often, in the stands themselves either between the opposing groups of supporters or against the police force tasked with the insurmountable job of maintaining some level of order, it tends to occur.

The ensuing violence adds a sour note to such a magnificent cacophony of visuals and noise, and is the only caveat to any outsider wanting to attend. It's a derby of real passion, which often boils over.

Supporting either side in this affair is a matter of achieving a sense of identity and purpose through simply despising your adopted enemies. This match is, once again, everything to both sets of fans, coming as an opportunity to display their loyalty to side of the city their allegiance falls to. 

Atmospherically, though, there is no match to the mesmerising display of banners, flares, chants and fireworks that are seen at each and every clash. A quick search online will give you an idea of the scale of the event, with the blatant hatred between the sets of fans palpable.

Football-wise, however, it isn't the greatest spectacle.

With limited finances, neither side are able to attract the highest calibre of players - and most squads are dominated with players either from Serbia or neighbouring countries as major European sides use their financial clout to poach the best talent. 

That isn't to discount either side's pedigree, though, as both clubs have flirted with the ​Champions League and Europa League in recent seasons. But, don't watch expecting a footballing spectacle.

Although, in reality, the football takes a supporting role when these two meet these days. Derby matches around the world are adored for the intensity of the rivalries, which in turn transfers onto the pitch, and that's what is endearing.

Many times derby matches fail to live up to their over-hyped billing, but this is an event as whole that never fails to disappoint. While you can sit and analyse the 90 or so minutes of football you've just witnessed, instead why don't you analyse the extraordinary scenes taking place all around the stands? It's indescribable.

Be it at Red Star's Marakana stadium or Partizan's home ground, it's a challenge set by the home fans to out-do their bitter rivals and produce the most intimidating, hostile backdrop possible. And that alone makes this one of world football's most incredible matches.

This is a vicious post-war derby. Every element of each showdown is cranked up to maximum, and where else in the world can you watch fireworks go off while a football match takes place? 

Which is another thing, it's actually easy to forget football is even going on. This is footballing tribalism at it's grandest, so naturally, it's one of 90min's top 50 football rivalries ever - obviously. 

You think you know rivalry and pure, unbridled hatred? You know nothing.

For more from Ross Kennerley , follow him on Twitter!