Football/Soccer in Spain?

On 11-8-09, Real Madrid is playing Atletico at Estadio Vicente Calderón....it's an away match at a smaller stadium. It's challenging to purchase Atletico Tickets from overseas as the team doesn't have much of a worldwide following. As the match draws nearer you might be able to purchase tickets via this website:

http://www.servicaixa.com/

Otherwise you might have to rely on scalpers outside the stadium.
P.S. If you love life, don't even think of wearing a Real Madrid jersey to this match.

If you can manage to get tickets, you'll have the time of your life. Unless you are extremely obsessive, very wealthy, or both, this will be a difficult task. Frequently, the underdog team puts on the best, if not the glitziest show, and this seems to be the case in the Madrid and Sevilla derbies. Unfortunately, the people who design the team strategy also seem to be responsible for the design of the website. Tickets will become available at some undisclosed date in the future, assuming you can get the page to load. There is a site, alluktickets.com that is currently offering tickets for the match. (I'm skeptical, since the official p.o.s. is still not offering them, but who knows?)

For the most part, you'll find the match loads of fun. Sing along with the crowd, scream, etc. You might be surprised at how little booze you see inside the stadium -- perhaps the only booze-free area in Spain -- but should take the opportunity to find a bar full of supporters before (and after) the match. Avoid the "gentlemen" with very short hair and army boots, as well as any cluster of people waving a Spanish flag with the black silhouette of an eagle, chicken, vulture or other bird -- these people will not want to be your friends.

Michael, as a supporter of Barça, let me comment that if you value good taste and elegance, you wouldn't want to be caught dead wearing that shirt.