Winner Takes All

Encompassing more than just football, the rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona dates back to the Spanish Civil War; it’s a rivalry which is nationalistic, political – and fierce. This episode includes memorable archive action and exclusive interviews from both sides of the story; Johan Cruyff, Alfredo di Stéfano, Michael Laudrup, Gary Lineker, Carles Rexach, Pachín, Albert Ferrer, Steve McManaman, Jesus de la Cruz and Joan Laporta.

Arnold Palmer was golf’s first superstar, and when he was joined by Jack Nickalus and Gary Player, ‘The Big Three’ was born. As golf’s popularity boomed, these three dominated the sport, sharing 34 Major titles between them. Their unique relationship is explored through archive footage and exclusive interviews with Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Doug Sanders, Dave Stockton, Hale Irwin, Lanny Wadkins, and Billy Casper.

Poles apart off the track, Coe and Ovett spurred each other to their own greatest achievements. Their rivalry captivated athletics, and pushed middle-distance running to the forefront of the national consciousness. This programme focusses on their greatest races, notably the 800m and 1500m finals at the 1980 Olympics, and features exclusive interviews with fellow athletes Brendan Foster, David Moorcroft, David Warren, athletics writer Pat Butcher, and Coe and Ovett themselves.

Two of the sport’s greatest ever players, Federer and Nadal have been responsible for some of the finest displays ever seen on a tennis court, not least their epic 2008 Wimbledon final, widely considered to be the greatest match in tennis history. One of sport’s greatest ever rivalries is documented here by the best of the action and interviews with the two protagonists. Exclusive contributions come from Pat Cash, Mark Petchey, David Nalbandian, and tennis writer Nigel Harman.

When Germany invaded the Netherlands during World War II, they sowed the seeds of a rivalry that would come to the fore decades later on the football pitch. Amongst others, the 1974 World Cup Final, the semi-final of Euro ’88 and the controversial 1990 World Cup meeting are all examined here, alongside exclusive interviews with those involved, Johan Cruyff, Paul Breitner, Willem van Hanegem, Ruud Krol, Rainer Bonhof, Frank Rijkaard Bernd Hölzenbein, and Hans van Breukelen.

Both nations claim the greatest player of all time as their own. Both aim to be the world’s best. With two fiercely contrasting cultures, Brazil v Argentina represents South America’s fight for regional, and global, supremacy. This programme looks at the history of both sides, including some classic encounters and featuring exclusive interviews with some of football’s biggest names: Péle, Diego Maradona, Osvaldo Ardiles, Rivellino, Careca, Jorge Burruchaga, Oscar Ruggeri, Mário Zagallo and Sócrates.