The rivalry between Forest Green Rovers and Cheltenham Town was described as one of the ‘biggest rivalries in sport’ at the Olympics on Tuesday.
BBC presenter Nihal Arthanayake compared their antagonism to the fierce matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid, termed El Classico, and to the Ashes.
Nihal made the comments on Today at the Games as he introduced the women’s softball final.
“Think about the biggest rivalries in sport: the Ashes, El Classico and Cheltenham town vs Forest Green Rovers,” he said.
“Then the biggest rivalry in sport you’ve probably never heard of. That’s Japan vs the USA in softball.”
Japan won the final 2-0, repeating their victory in Beijing, 2008, against the Americans.
The US had beaten Japan 2-1 in the group stage on Monday.
Between them, both sides have won every world championships since 1982.
In their last match against Cheltenham Town in January, Forest Green Rovers drew 0-0.
In last nine times the clubs have met, FGR won four games, Cheltenham Town won one and the teams drew four times.
On Tuesday, FGR drew 0-0 with Leamington in their third pre-season friendly.
