Galicia (Spain) - Sport

Sport

Galicia has a long sporting tradition dating back to the early 20th century, when they begin to be founded the most relevant clubs, especially football teams, as the Celta de Vigo ("Celtic of Vigo") and the Deportivo de La Coruña, both still currently in the first division of the La Liga. Deportivo de La Coruña, from the city of A Coruña, is the region's most successful club. Celta de Vigo, from Vigo, are also a major club and are Deportivo's principal regional rivals. When the two sides play, it is referred to as the Galician derby. SD Compostela from Santiago de Compostela and Racing Ferrol from Ferrol were two other notable club sides, now the third team is CD Lugo currently in the second division of the La Liga (Liga Adelante). Similarly to Catalonia and the Basque Country, Galicia also periodically fields a regional team against international opposition (see Galicia national football team).The Galician NT has a huge popular support in the region.

Other popular sports in Galicia include futsal (a variety of indoor football), handball and basketball. In basketball teams stand out as the CB Breogan, Club Ourense Baloncesto, Obradoiro CAB and OAR Ferrol. Also highlights the handball teams, SD Teucro, Octavio Pilotes Posada, the HC Liceo of hockey (the most successful Galician team, with various european and world championships), and futsal teams, Lobelle Santiago (a world's TOP 10 club) and Azkar Lugo.

Galicia is also known for its tradition of water sports, both at sea and in rivers, sush as rowing, yachting, canoeing and surfing., in which sports is a regular winner of metals in the Olympics, currently the most example is David Cal, Carlos Perez Rial and Fernando Echavarri. In the field water sport Galician par excellence are the trainer, counting Galicia with representatives in the League of San Miguel trawlers.

In recent years comes from Galicia also become a power in any triathlon in the hands of Francisco Javier Gómez Noya and Iván Raña, both world champions, and Noia being one of the best athletes in the history of the specialty. In 2006 the cyclist, other Galician athlete, Oscar Pereiro, won the Tour de France after the disqualification of American Floyd Landis, snatching him the top spot on the penultimate day. Galicians are also prominent athletes in sports such as mountaineering, where stands the Chus Lago, the third woman to reach the summit of Everest without the aid of oxygen, and it also has the title of Snow Leopard.