Eternal derby of Slovenian football (1962–2004)

This article is about the football rivalry first contested in 1962 and last in 2004 involving NK Maribor and NK Olimpija, established in 1945 and dissolved in 2004. For the rivalry involving NK Maribor and NK Olimpija, established in 2005 as NK Bežigrad, see Eternal derby of Slovenian football (2007). For other uses, see Eternal derby.
Večni derbi
Other names Slovenski derbi
Locale Ljubljana – Maribor, Slovenia
Teams Maribor
Olimpija
First contested 2 September 1962
Most recent meeting 7 November 2004
Statistics
Most wins Maribor (31)
Largest victory Olimpija 6–1 Maribor[1]

The Eternal derby of Slovenian football, simply known as the Eternal derby (Slovene: Večni derbi) or Slovenian derby (Slovene: Slovenski derbi) was a major football rivalry between Maribor and Olimpija, which was dissolved in 2004. Although the old Olimpija was officially dissolved at the end of 2004 it was still allowed to finish the 2004–05 season, which was at the time already in progress.

In 2005 a new club, under the name of NK Bežigrad was founded and later changed its name several times until it eventually became known as Olimpija. Because most of the fans that supported the dissolved Olimpija simply started to support Bežigrad, the continuation of the rivalry is considered by most Slovenian media and fans, as the matches between Maribor and the new Olimpija Ljubljana, established in 2005 as NK Bežigrad, The new club consider themselves as the spiritual continuation of the 2004 dissolved club. However, legally, the current Olimpija Ljubljana is a distinct and separate club, and is not entitled to claim the history and honours won by the old Olimpija. Football Association of Slovenia, Association of 1. SNL and UEFA does not recognize the titles and statistics before 2005. Neither does the legislation of the Republic of Slovenia.

Olimpija
Location of both teams

History and rivalry culture

In Yugoslavia

The rivalry traced its roots back in the early 1960s and the time of SFR Yugoslavia when the first match between the two clubs was played. Although the first match was played in 1962 it was not until the independence of Slovenia from 1991 onwards when most of the matches were played. The main reason being the fact that both clubs were part of the Yugoslav football system and, during the period from 1960 (establishment of NK Maribor) until 1991 (establishment of Slovenian league, the Slovenian PrvaLiga), played only a total of ten seasons in the same league. The two clubs were one of only three Slovenian football clubs, the other being Nafta Lendava for the 1946–47 season. Maribor played in the Yugoslav first league for a total of five seasons, between 1967–68 and 1971–72, with the best result of 10th place in 1969–70. Olimpija played in the Yugoslav first league for a total of twenty seasons, in 1953–54 and between 1965–66 and 1983–84, with the best result of 7th place in 1970–71 and 1982–1983 and five more top ten positions. Both clubs also played in the Yugoslav Cup, where Maribor achieved its best result in 1973 and 1980 with reaching quarter-finals, while Olimpija was the Runner-up in the 1970 Cup.

In Slovenia

In 1991, after the declared independence of Slovenia, both clubs were the founding members of the Slovenian first league, 1.SNL, and played there up until the end of 2004-05 season and the dissolvement of NK Olimpija.[2][3] The two teams represented the two largest cities in Slovenia, the capital city of Ljubljana and the second largest city Maribor, and both had one of the largest fanbases in the country. Traditionally Ljubljana represents the richer western part of the country while Maribor is the center of the poorer eastern part. In addition, Ljubljana was always the cultural, educational, economic and political center of the country and Olimpija and its fans were considered as the representatives of the upper class. Maribor, on the other hand, was one of the most industrialized cities in Yugoslavia and the majority of its fans were the representatives of the working class, which means that the added tension to the rivalry was usually also political, social and cultural as well. However, this kind of division was much more apparent in the past, as the class differences between the fanbases have faded out and the social gap that once separated the two sides has closed over the years. Nowadays, both clubs boast fanbases that represent all the social classes. At the end of 2004 Olimpija Ljubljana was dissolved and, as the season was already in progress, was allowed to finish the rest of the 2004-05 season after which it effectively ceased all operations.[2][3] Until the dissolvement of Olimpija, both clubs were the most successful teams in Slovenian club football. From 1991 until 2005 Maribor and Olimpija had won a combined total of eleven out of fourteen Slovenian championships (Maribor 7, Olimpija 4), and nine out of fourteen Slovenian cups (Maribor 5, Olimpija 4).

Green Dragons in 2007

The old rivalry reached its peak in the final round of the 2000–01 season, when one of the most celebrated matches in the Slovenian League history was played, when Olimpija met Maribor at their home stadium, Bežigrad. Both teams were competing for their 5th Slovenian league title. The home team needed a win for the title, while a draw was enough for Maribor. The atmosphere was electric days before the kick-off and the stadium with 8,500 seats was completely sold out. At the end, the match ended with a draw (1–1) and Maribor started to celebrate their 5th consecutive title[4] in front of 3,000 violet fans that gathered in Ljubljana that day.[5]

On 2 March 2005 a new club was established,[6][7] under the name NK Bežigrad, retaining Olimpija's fans, colours and most of the youth team players. NK Bežigrad later changed its name twice. First to NK Olimpija Bežigrad and finally to NK Olimpija Ljubljana. Although the board of the newly established club and its fans see the team as the spiritual continuation of the old club, they are not regarded as the legal successors of the old NK Olimpija and are not entitled to claim the honours won by the defunct club.[8][9] Technically the new Olimpija could gain the right for honours and history of the old club if the current club board would follow the example of Italian sides, Fiorentina and Napoli, who after bankruptcy and dissolvement, both found a way and repaid the old debts. Although the crest of the new Olimpija holds a year 1911 in it, the current board of the new Olimpija does not give the impression that they are interested in such a move. The official website of the new club has a written statement where it is clearly stated that NK Olimpija Ljubljana was founded on 2 March 2005, under the name NK Bežigrad.[7]

However, because the new Olimpija is supported by most of the fans of the previous Olimpija, including their ultras group the Green Dragons who has a long-standing rivalry with Maribor's own ultras group Viole Maribor, many see the matches between Maribor and the new club as the continuation of the rivalry and refer to it by the same name.[10][11] However, there are many fans, either the ones from Maribor or the ones from Ljubljana, that does not share the same view and does not share similar beliefs,[12][13][14] including part of the media.[15][16] The overall statistics are tracked separately by the Football Association of Slovenia and the Association of 1. SNL.[9][17] The first match between NK Maribor and the new NK Olimpija took place on 24 October 2007 on a Slovenian cup quarter-final match that was won by Maribor, 3–1.[18] At the time NK Olimpija was still competing under the name NK Olimpija Bežigrad.[18]

Statistically, Maribor is the more successful club either in the case of matches only from the period from 1962 to 2005 or the whole period from 1962 to present day.[19] Maribor is also much more successful in case of the matches against NK Olimpija, established in 2005 as NK Bežigrad.

Fans

Besides the city of Maribor itself and the surrounding area NK Maribor also has a large fan base in the whole regions of Štajerska and Koroška. The club also draws significant number of supporters from northern Gorenjska and northeastern Dolenjska as well as the capital city of Ljubljana itself, due to a large number of students and workers from eastern part of the country. Olimpija on the other hand draws much of its fans from the central part of the country, the majority from the city of Ljubljana with the surrounding area of southern Gorenjska and northwestern Dolenjska. A significant fan base is also present in the region of Notranjska. Overall, the two clubs were always the most popular football clubs in the country.

Both, Maribor and Olimpija, always had support on their matches from ultras groups called Viole Maribor, supporting NK Maribor, and the Green Dragons who supported NK Olimpija. The two groups are the largest in the country and it is not uncommon that the matches between the two clubs were sometimes interrupted by violent clashes between the two groups or with the police.[20] On many occasions, before or after the matches, the fans of the two clubs would also meet up and fight on the streets. One of the worst incidents, in April 2010 after a match, resulted in a stabbing of a member of the Green Dragons who, with a group of friends, got into a fight with members of the Viole in Ljubljana's railway station.[21] However, to date, there has not been any fatalities in the country related to football violence. Fans of Olimpija traditionally occupy the northern stands of the stadiums, while Maribor fans are present on the southern stands.

Players

Vili Ameršek is the leading goalscorer among all players that have participated in the matches between Maribor and Olimpija Ljubljana, established in 1945 and dissolved in 2004, and Olimpija Ljubljana, established in 2005 as NK Bežigrad. He has played in the time of SFR Yugoslavia for Olimpija Ljubljana and scored a total of 14 goals against NK Maribor.[1] Second place is shared between Marko Kmetec and Damir Pekič who both scored 8 goals and are the most successful players after the independence of Slovenia in 1991 and the establishment of the 1. SNL.[1] Gregor Židan, Željko Milinovič and Amir Karić are the only three players who have played for all three clubs involved in the rivalry. Židan played for the old Olimpija Ljubljana in the Yugoslav first league, while later playing for Maribor in the Slovenian first league, 1. SNL. He then retired, only to return to football couple of years later where he played for the new Olimpija Ljubljana, at the time still known by the name NK Bežigrad, in lower tiers of Slovenian football. Milanič on the other hand played in 1.SNL for both clubs and later joined the new NK Olimpija, at the time known by the name NK Bežigrad where he played less than a season and eventually finished his career. Karić also played for both Maribor and the old Olimpija Ljubljana in 1.SNL. After few years spent abroad he eventually joined the new Olimpija Ljubljana, at the time still known as NK Bežigrad and then Olimpija Bežigrad, where he played in lower tiers of Slovenian football for couple of seasons before moving to Koper.

Direct transfers

Five player have transferred directly from Maribor to Olimpija, while ten have transferred in the other way. Kliton Bozgo and Nastja Čeh have transferred directly from Maribor to Olimpija and back.[1]

Maribor to Olimpija
Olimpija to Maribor

Official statistics

Official statistics of honours won by NK Maribor and NK Olimpija, established in 1945 and dissolved in 2004, as treated by the Football Association of Slovenia and the Association of 1. SNL.
Major honours won
Competition Maribor Olimpija
1. SNL 7 4
Cup 5 4
Supercup 0 1
Total 12 9

Matches list

Yugoslav football leagues

The head-to-head matches shows the results of Maribor and Olimpija, when they played in the same league.
Maribor – Olimpija Olimpija – Maribor
Season
R.
Date
Venue
Atten.
Score
R.
Date
Venue
Atten.
Score
1962–631 18 17–03–1963 Ljudski vrt 12,000 3–2 3 02–09–1962 Bežigrad 10,000 1–1
1963–641 6 29–09–1963 Ljudski vrt 12,000 1–1 21 05–04–1964 Bežigrad 18,000 1–1
1964–651 26 16–05–1965 Ljudski vrt 10,000 0–4 14 15–11–1964 Bežigrad 13,000 3–1
1967–68 13 26–11–1967 Ljudski vrt 13,000 0–0 28 19–06–1968 Bežigrad 8,000 2–2
1968–69 2 25–08–1968 Ljudski vrt 8,000 2–2 19 16–03–1969 Bežigrad 5,000 4–1
1969–70 11 02–11–1969 Ljudski vrt 7,000 3–2 28 17–05–1970 Bežigrad 5,000 2–1
1970–71 22 11–04–1971 Ljudski vrt 6,000 1–0 5 13–09–1970 Bežigrad 7,000 3–1
1971–72 34 11–06–1972 Ljudski vrt 1,500 3–6 17 12–12–1971 Bežigrad 5,000 3–0
1984–851 28 12–05–1985 Ljudski vrt 4,000 2–0 11 21–10–1984 Bežigrad 4,000 1–0
1985–862 3 15–09–1985 Ljudski vrt 3,500 2–1 16 20–04–1986 Bežigrad 1,500 0–0

1Second Yugoslav division; 2Third Yugoslav Division; Source: Archive data on nkmaribor.com
• Total: Olimpija 8 wins (40%), 7 draw (35%), Maribor 5 wins (25%).

Slovenian first league

The head-to-head matches shows the results of Maribor and Olimpija.[nb 1]
Maribor – Olimpija Olimpija – Maribor
Season
R.
Date
Venue
Atten.
Score
R.
Date
Venue
Atten.
Score
1991–92 13 16–10–1991 Ljudski vrt 4,000 2–1 34 06–05–1992 Bežigrad 7,000 2–0
1992–93 22 04–04–1993 Ljudski vrt 7,000 1–0 5 12–09–1992 Bežigrad 1,000 3–0
1993–94 30 12–06–1994 Ljudski vrt 4,500 3–1 15 28–11–1993 Bežigrad 5,000 1–1
1994–95 17 05–03–1995 Ljudski vrt 7,000 0–2 2 14–08–1994 Bežigrad 2,000 2–1
1995–96 4 18–08–1995 Ljudski vrt 7,000 5–1 14 29–10–1995 Bežigrad 3,000 0–1
32 11–05–1996 Ljudski vrt 5,000 2–1 22 17–03–1996 Bežigrad 2,000 1–0
1996–97 1 04–08–1996 Ljudski vrt 5,000 0–0 11 12–10–1996 Bežigrad 2,800 1–0
29 04–05–1997 Ljudski vrt 7,000 5–2 19 01–03–1997 Bežigrad 2,000 1–2
1997–98 4 17–08–1997 Ljudski vrt 6,500 2–0 14 02–11–1997 Bežigrad 2,000 3–1
32 16–05–1998 Ljudski vrt 5,000 4–4 22 21–03–1998 Bežigrad 3,000 1–3
1998–99 19 13–03–1999 Ljudski vrt 7,000 3–1 8 25–09–1998 Bežigrad 5,000 1–4
29 15–05–1999 Ljudski vrt 5,000 5–0 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
1999–2000 18 04–03–2000 Ljudski vrt 4,000 0–0 7 19–09–1999 Bežigrad 5,000 2–4
29 29–04–2000 Ljudski vrt 4,000 2–0 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
2000–01 11 01–10–2000 Ljudski vrt 8,000 1–3 22 31–03–2001 Bežigrad 4,500 1–1
&
—
 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
 33 27–05–2001 Bežigrad 8,500 1–1
2001–02 10 30–09–2001 Ljudski vrt 5,500 3–2 21 24–02–2002 Bežigrad 5,000 0–1
31 24–04–2002 Ljudski vrt 5,000 5–0 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
2002–03 14 02–11–2002 Ljudski vrt 5,000 0–3 3 26–07–2002 Bežigrad 5,000 0–1
&
—
 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
 &
—
 31 25–05–2003 Bežigrad 5,500 3–3
2003–04 12 18–10–2003 Ljudski vrt 4,000 0–0 1 20–07–2003 Ob Jezeru (N) 2,500 6–1
31 23–05–2004 Ljudski vrt 7,000 0–0 26 24–04–2004 Bežigrad 3,500 1–2
2004–05 3 20–10–2004 Ljudski vrt 3,500 0–3 14 07–11–2004 Bežigrad 4,000 1–0

Note: For five consecutive seasons, from 1998–99 until 2002–03, 1. SNL had a three round robin and the matches of the final third of the season were determined based on the league position after the first two thirds of the season.
• Total: Maribor 20 wins (49%), Olimpija 12 wins (29%), 9 draw (22%).

Yugoslav cups

The head-to-head matches shows the results of Maribor and Olimpija, when they played in the Yugoslav Cup. The majority of the matches were played as part of the Slovenian regional cup and were used as qualifiers for the main event.
Season
Round
Date
Venue
Attendance
Match
Score
Winner
1963–641 Final 28–11–1963 Bežigrad 5,000 Olimpija – Maribor 1–0 Olimpija
1966–671 Final 06–11–1966 Bežigrad 10,000 Olimpija – Maribor 1–1 (0–5 p) Maribor
1967–681 Final 12–11–1967 Bežigrad 8,000 Olimpija – Maribor 1–2 Maribor
1968–691 Final 28–11–1968 Bežigrad 1,000 Olimpija – Maribor 3–1 Olimpija
1969–701 Final 18–10–1969 Bežigrad 3,000 Olimpija – Maribor 1–0 Olimpija
1970–711 Final 29–10–1970 Ljudski vrt 3,500 Maribor – Olimpija 0–0 (1–3 p) Olimpija
1971–721 Final 28–10–1971 Bežigrad 3,000 Olimpija – Maribor 4–1 Olimpija
1972–731 Final3 06–12–1972 Ljudski vrt 3,500 Maribor – Olimpija 1–2 Olimpija
1977–782 Round of 32 07–09–1977 Bežigrad 2,500 Olimpija – Maribor 4–0 Olimpija
1979–802 Round of 32 17–10–1979 Ljudski vrt 4,000 Maribor – Olimpija 0–0 Maribor
1985–861 Final 04–09–1985 Bežigrad 2,000 Olimpija – Maribor 0–1 Maribor
1987–881 Final 06–08–1987 Bežigrad 1,500 Olimpija – Maribor 4–0 Olimpija
1988–891 Final 30–07–1988 Ljudski vrt 3,000 Maribor – Olimpija 0–0 (6–5 p) Maribor

1Slovenian Regional Cup; 2Yugoslav Cup; Source: Archive data on nkmaribor.com and Večer newspaper archive; 3The match was originally played on 18 October 1972 when Olimpija won 1–0, but the match was suspended four minutes before the end of the extra time and was later fully replayed.
•Series won: Olimpija 8 (62%), Maribor 5 (38%).

Slovenian cup

The head-to-head matches shows the results of Maribor and Olimpija.[nb 1]
Season
Round
Leg
Date
Venue
Attendance
Match
Score
Winner
1991–92 Final / 24–06–1992 Bežigrad 2,000 Olimpija – Maribor 0–0 (aet); 3–4 (pen) Maribor
1996–97 Semi-final First 26–03–1997 Ljudski vrt 4,000 Maribor – Olimpija 2–2 Maribor
Second 09–04–1997 Bežigrad 600 Olimpija – Maribor 0–2
1998–99 Final First 26–05–1999 Bežigrad 2,000 Olimpija – Maribor 2–3 Maribor
Second 16–06–1999 Ljudski vrt 6,500 Maribor – Olimpija 2–0
2000–01 Quarter-final First 18–10–2000 Ljudski vrt 4,500 Maribor – Olimpija 2–0 Olimpija
Second 25–10–2000 Bežigrad 3,000 Olimpija – Maribor 3–0
2002–03 Quarter-final First 02–10–2002 Bežigrad 5,200 Olimpija – Maribor 0–0 Olimpija
Second 23–10–2002 Ljudski vrt 4,000 Maribor – Olimpija 3–4

• Series won: Maribor 3 (66,6%), Olimpija 2 (33,3%).

Head-to-head

Statistics

The head-to-head statistics shows the results of NK Maribor and NK Olimpija.[nb 1]
Maribor
wins		 Draws Olimpija
wins
Yugoslav League
At Maribor home 5 3 2
At Olimpija home 0 4 6
Neutral field 0 0 0
Total 5 7 8
Yugoslav Cup
At Maribor home 0 3 1
At Olimpija home 2 1 6
Neutral field 0 0 0
Total 2 4 7
1.SNL
At Maribor home 12 5 4
At Olimpija home 8 4 7
Neutral field 0 0 1
Total 20 9 12
Slovenian Cup
At Maribor home 2 1 1
At Olimpija home 2 2 1
Neutral field 0 0 0
Total 4 3 2
Slovenian Supercup
At Maribor home 0 0 0
At Olimpija home 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0
Total
83 31 23 29

Ranking

The head-to-head ranking table shows the results of NK Maribor and NK Olimpija.
Position 62–631 63–641 64–651 67–68 68–69 69–70 70–71 71–72 84–851 85–862 91–92 92–93 93–94 94–95 95–96 96–97 97–98 98–99 99–00 00–01 01–02 02–03 03–04 04–05
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
4 4 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 6 6
7 7 7 7
8
9 9
10 10
11 11
12 12 12
13 13
14
15 15
16 16 16 16
17
18 18
19
20
21

1Second Yugoslav division; 2Third Yugoslav division; • Total:Maribor 12 times higher (54,5%), Olimpija 10 times higher (45,5%).

References

Notes
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Olimpija was established in 1945 and dissolved in 2005, when they played in the 1. SNL.
Refnotes
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Statistični pregled derbijev med Olimpijo in Mariborom" (in Slovenian). RTV Slovenija. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Simič: "Stefanović pošilja grožnje!"" (in Slovenian). zurnal24.si. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Competitions". Football Association of Slovenia. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  4. ↑ "Mariborčani za Bežigradom slavili naslov" (in Slovenian). RTV Slovenija. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "Zgodovina: 2001-2010" (in Slovenian). nkmaribor.com. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  6. ↑ "Zeleno-beli v štirih letih iz pete v prvo ligo" (in Slovenian). RTV Slovenija. Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "NK Olimpija Ljubljana - Zgodovina" (in Slovenian). nkolimpija.si. Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  8. ↑ "Klubi -> Ljubljana". Football Association of Slovenia (in Slovenian). Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "PrvaLiga: NK Olimpija" (in Slovenian). Slovenian PrvaLiga official website. Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  10. ↑ "Mariborčani osvojili tudi Stožice" (in Slovenian). Siol. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  11. ↑ "Razbita Olimpija, razbite Stožice" (in Slovenian). Nogomania. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  12. ↑ "Vršič: Dovolj je bilo čakanja doma #Comments" (in Slovenian). RTV Slovenija. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "Vršič: Igramo lepše od Maribora #Comments" (in Slovenian). Siol. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  14. ↑ "FOTO: Delitev točk na 104. večnem derbiju #Comments" (in Slovenian). 24ur.com. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  15. ↑ Marjan Horvat (7 June 2011). "Kukavičjih sto let" (in Slovenian). Večer. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  16. ↑ "Novo in staro štetje" (in Slovenian). Večer. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  17. ↑ "SNL Statistika: Vse sezone" (in Slovenian). Slovenian PrvaLiga official website. Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Mariboru večni derbi" (in Slovenian). Siol. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  19. ↑ "Večni derbiji z Mariborom" (in Slovenian). nkolimpija.com. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  20. ↑ "FOTO in VIDEO: Stožice: Škode za okoli 20.000 evrov" (in Slovenian). 24ur. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  21. ↑ "Po derbiju v Ljubljani zaboden navijač" (in Slovenian). Siol. Retrieved 17 February 2011.