fútbol argentino


Do you know about Argentine soccer?

Diego Armando Maradona, called "The GOD" used to play this league. Of course, many superstars, too. This league started 1932 (probably).

20 teams join to the 1st division (called "Primera División"), and they play 2 seasons ("Torneo Apertura", August - December and "Torneo Clausura", February - June) in a year. They play 19 games in each season. So, in Argentina, there are 2 Champions in a year.

The Champions and 2 teams that have got many points in 2 seasons can enter "Copa Libertadores". This is the most important cup in South America.

After the closing Torneo Clausura, from 2 to 4 teams are demoted from Primera División to 2nd division called "Nacional B", and the same number of team are promoted Primera División. The system of this change is too complicate to explain, so I omit that. Sorry.

Why many Argentine have great talent?

I can consider several reason. First, soccer is their life. Second, for some of them, soccer is a step to escape the poor.
Many Argentine children play "Baby fútbol" when they are about 10 years old or so. This is like futsal, but baby fútbol permits shoulder charge and sliding tackle to players. and, players use more weighty ball than soccer's one.
To control this ball, they use their tread. And they learn to bear any body contact. Argentine children get every technique that needs to play soccer through this game.

The big specialty of Argentine soccer is skillful dribbling and hard body contact like left picture. "Maybe, every league will book about this rough play" I thought, but in Argentine league, referee may think "That play was no problem". I heard once that Ariel Ortega who was a member of Argentine nacional team said "sandlot soccer is more harder than Argentine league. Because, there are no referees, no red cards." Oh... is it true???

	Supporters are very passionate!! And most enthusiastic supporters take off their shirts and climb up the fence. I don't know why they tend to do, but they do. On the stands, they burn the smoke bombs. And occasionally, they throw rocks, seat or something that is around them. Recently, I feel the number of smoke bombs is decreasing. Perhaps, some regulation was changed. The long cloth in the upper picture exist to hold their body. (They tend to cheer their team with standing on their seats.) And, the summer in Argentina is too hot. So, to cool supporters' body and head, ground keepers spray much water. This scene is Argentine specialty.

El Superclásico
River Plate and Boca Juniors both settle in Buenos Aires. They match twice in a year. Their matchs are called "Superclásico". Supporters enthuse more than usual. Sometimes, riots breake out.

Introducing Argentine teams

Club Atlético River Plate established: May 25th, 1901 home town: Capital Federal (Bs. As.) River Plate is one of Argentine prestige team. In Argentina, River and Boca Juniors are most popular team. This team is called "Los Millonarios". Because they are rich, and some of supporters are, too. As another nickname, we also call them "Riverplatense". They scatter much confetti. Their home studium is "Antonio Vespucio Liberti", known as "El Monumental". Of course, their rival team is Boca Juniors. Riverplatense make fools of them as pigs.

Club Atlético Boca Juniors established: April 3rd, 1905 home town: Capital Federal (Bs. As.) Boca is prestige team, too. This team's nickname is "Los Bosteros", supporters are called "Boquense". Once, Diego Maradona played here. This team is most popular in Japan. Because Japanese forward Naohiro Takahara belonged to Boca once. Argentine commentator still remember that "TAKA" strained himself and kicked the earth (^^; Their home stadium is "Alberto J. Armando", known as "La Bombonera". This stadium has Maradona's VIP lounge. Boquense make fools of Riverplatense as chickens.		A long time ago, colonist arrived at the mouth of the river "La Plata". "the mouth of the river" is "boca" in Spanish. So, that area is called "Boca area", and La Bombonera is there.
		They are Boca Juniors' cheerleaders.

Club Atlético Independiente established: January 1st, 1905 home town: Avellaneda (Bs. As.) This team is very populer. their nickname is "Los Diablos Rojos". "Rojo" is "Red" in English. They are Champion of Apertura 02. Below pictures are the then. Their rival team is Racing Club. A long time ago, Independiente and Racing seem to have been the most popular club in Argentina. Their home stadium is "La Doble Visera de Cemento". "doble visera de cemento" is "double roof of cement" in English. This stadium has double roof, so it is called like that.

Racing Club setablished: March 25th, 1903 home town: Avellaneda (Bs. As.) This club is very classic. Rival team is Independiente. Racing and Independiente's match is called "Clásico". Some years ago, this club was going to go out of business, but supporters and polotocians help them. Home stadium is "Presidente Perón". Maybe, this is the name of a woman president Ms. Perón.

Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro established: April 1st, 1908 home town: Capital Federal (Bs. As.) San Lorenzo is very populer team. I heard that many women are supporting this club. These 5 team (River, Boca, Independiente, Racing, San Lorenzo) are the biggest club in Argentina. The rival team is Huracán (now they are belonging "Nacional B"). This team's nickname is "El Ciclon" and "Los Cuervos". Leandro Ronagnoli, Pablo Michelini, Damian Luna, Kilian Virviescas and so on are remarkable. About 2 years ago, Jonathan Santana, the 24-year-old midfielder was shoot his throat, and he couldn't play about a year. (^^; They didn't have their home studiam until recent years, and other team's supporter made fools of them, but now they have excellent stadium, "Pedro Bidegain", called "Nuevo Gasometro".

Arsenal Fútbol Club established: January 1st, 1957 home town: Sarandí (Bs. As.) This team's name is the same name of the Premiership's team. When this team was establishing, they were considering "What name is suited for this club?". And one boy said "I think ARSENAL is better". And this club named ARSENAL. They keep doing their best. Home stadium is "El Viaducto".

Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys established: November 3rd, 1903 home town: Pcia. de Santa Fe (Rosario) This team's soccer is so enjoyable.Especially, their attacks bring many goal. Nickname of this team is "Los Leprosos". Ariel Ortega, Damian Manso, Leandro Fernández are remarkable. Their home stadium is "El Coloso".

Club Estudiantes de la Plata established: August 4th, 1905 home town: La Plata At the biginning, this team set up as a student's team. "Estudiantes" is "Students" in English. Their nickname is "Los Pincharratas", "El Leon". Julian Vásquez, Walter Silvani and Castango Suárez are remarkable. Home stadium is "Luis Jorge Hirschi"

Club Atlético Banfield established: January 21st, 1896 home town: Banfield (Bs. As.) Their uniform's design is like green sash, like River's one. Nickname is "El Taladro". José Luis Sánchez, Javier Sanguinetti and Palacio are remarkable. Home stadium is "Florencio Sola".

Club Atlético Chacarita Juniors now they are belonging to "Nacional B" established: May 1st, 1906 home town: Capital Federal (Bs. As.) In my impression, they made a good fight, but they couldn't stay "Primera División"... Their nickname is "Los Funebreros". Home stadium is "Chacarita".

Club Atlético Colón established: May 5th, 1905 home town: Santa Fe This team's home town is Santa Fe. The year before last, Unión, the Santa Fe team belonged to "Primera División", but they are demoted. Their nickname is "Los Sabaleros". Esteban Fuertes, Ivan Moreno y Fabianesi, Giovanni Hernández and so on are remarkable. Home stadium is "Brigadier General Estanislao Lopez", called "El Cementerio de los Elefantes".

Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata established: June 3rd, 1887 home town: La Plata This club is in La Plata. They have to fight harder to stay "Primera División". Their nickname is "Los Triperos" and "El Lobo". Their home stadium is "Juan Carlos Zerrillo", called "El Bosque".

Club Atlético Lanús established: January 3rd, 1915 home town: Lanús They always keep middle level in the "Primera División". Many nameless player played this team, and some of them are found thier talent, and step up to Big Club like River, Boca and so on. Their nickname is "El Granate". Home stadium is "Lanús".

Club Atlético Nueva Chicago now they are belonging to "Nacional B" established: July 1st, 1911 home town: Capital Federal (Bs. As.) Finally they are demoted. This team's supporters are known as violent. they often get into trouble. Sometimes, they sustain casualties... This team's nickname is "Los Toritos de Mataderos". Their home stadium is "Nueva Chicago".

Club Olimpo established: October 15th, 1910 home town: Bahía Blanca (Bs. As.) Do you know Esteban Cambiasso? His brother, Nicolas is belonging to this team as a goal keeper. Japanese player Okaya is also belonging to this team. Nickname of this team is "El Aurinegro". Home stadium is "Roberto Natalio Carminatti".

Club Atlético Rosario Central established: December 24th, 1889 home town: Rosario (Pcia. de Santa Fe) This club's home town is Rosario. Maybe, more than 80% of this team's players are the locals. They entered Copa Libertadores last year, but now, they have to bare to stay "Primera División". Their nickname is "Los Canallas" and "La Academia". Eduardo Coudet, from River Plate is remarkable. Their home stadium is "El Gigante de Arroyito".

Club Atlético Talleres now they are belonging to "Nacional B" established: October 12th, 1913 home town: Córdoba This club is in Córdoba, located on about 300km from Buenos Aires. Córdoba is also known as the place to taking place World Rally Championship. They ranked 3rd place in "Torneo Clausura", but they are demoted from "Primera División". Because they hadn't the points to stay there. Their nickname is "Los Matadores" and " La 'T' ". Home stadium is "Olímpico Córdoba"

Club Atlético Vélez Salsfield established: January 1st, 1910 home town: Capital Federal (Bs. As.) I think this team has some talents. Once, Carlos Bianchi lead to the Champion of Intercontinental Cup. Their nickname is "El Fortín". Rolond and Mauro Zárate brothers are remarkable. Home stadium is "José Amalfitani".

Quilmes Atlético Club established: November 27th, 1887 home town: Quilmes (Bs. As.) They are promoted from "Nacional B" last year. In their first year of "Primara División", they ranked 4th place in "Apertura 03". Their sponsor is "Quilmes", famous beer company in Argentina. The nickname of this team is "Los Cerveceros". Their home stadium is "Dr. Jose Luis Meiszner", known as "Centenario".

Atlético de Rafaela now they are belonging to "Nacional B" established: January 13th, 1907 home town: Rafaela (Santa Fe) This club hadn't talents, so they are too hard to stay "Primera División". Their home stadium is "Monumental". It is not the same one of River Plate's "El Monumental".

Club Atlético Almagro promoted to "Primera División" established: January 6th, 1911 home town: Capital Federal (Bs. As.) This club's nickname is "Los Tricolores". Their home stadium is "Almargo".

Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors promoted to "Primera División" established: August 15th, 1904 home town: Capital Federal (Bs. As.) They are promoted from "Nacional B", too. In Argentina, they are known as rich, and Argentinos Juniors is Diego Maradona's first club. This club's nickname is "Los Bichitos Colorados". their home stadium is "Ferrocarril Oeste". It may change "Diego Armando Maradona Stadium".

Club Atlético Huracán de Tres Arroyos promoted to "Primera División" established: January 3rd, 1923 home town: Tres Arroyos (Bs. As.) They are also promoted from "Nacional B". Two or three years ago, "Huracán" belonged to "Primera División", but it is not the same team. I think they haven't talents like last year of Atlético de Rafaela, but I want to do their best. Claudio Garcia is symbol of this team. Their nickname is "El Globito". Home stadium is "Roberto Lorenzo Bottino".

Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba promoted to "Primera División" established: August 8th, 1918 home town: Córdoba They are last promoted team of this year. Their nickname is "La Gloria". Their home stadium is "Instituto".

Now, Argentina is not so good about the economy and security, but they don't care to go to stadiums.
Because, soccer is their heart.
And... Argentina is not so bad. Buenos Aires is called "Paris in South America", and people are marvelous!!

Thank you for reading this page!! ¡¡Muchas gracias!!