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Mare

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Didn't know where to put this, so, I made a new thread about it. Uefa.com have a few articles on Serbian football, thought it was quite interesting for people to read...

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The aim remains the same
Although the Football Association of Serbia and Montenegro (FSSCG) only acquired its name in 2003, its history remains unchanged. It was originally founded in 1919 as the Yugoslav Football Association, and FIFA and UEFA membership followed in 1921 and 1954 respectively.

Olympic medals
Yugoslavia played their first international match against Czechoslovakia at the Olympics in Antwerp on 28 August 1920, losing 7-0. However, major achievements were not long in coming as the country proceeded to participate in five Olympics and eight FIFA World Cups. They were silver medallists in London (1948), Helsinki (1952) and Melbourne (1956), bronze medallists in Los Angeles (1984) and Olympic champions in Rome (1960).

International record
They took part in the World Cup in Uruguay in 1930, reaching the semi-finals, in Brazil (1950), Switzerland (1954), Chile (1962, fourth place), Germany (1974), Spain (1982), Italy (1990) and France (1998), and have also appeared five times in the final round of the UEFA European Championship. Runners-up in both Paris (1960) and Rome (1968), they finished fourth in Belgrade in 1976 and also competed in France (1984) and Belgium/Netherlands (2000). However, Olympics apart, major honours have been the preserve of the youngsters.

Youthful endeavours
Yugoslavia's Under-21 side were European champions in 1978 and then triumphed in the International Youth Tournament a year later. More celebrations followed with victory at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship in Chile. On an individual level, the legendary Dragan Džajic held the record for international caps with 85 until overtaken by Savo Miloševic in October 2004, while Stjepan Bobek leads the goalscoring chart with 38.

European Cup success
Arguably the greatest international achievement by a Yugoslavian team has been FK Crvena Zvezda's victory over Olympique de Marseille in Bari in the European Champion Clubs' Cup final of 1991, when they won 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Later that year Crvena Zvezda beat CSD Colo Colo of Chile 3-0 in the European/South American Cup in Tokyo. FK Partizan, also of Belgrade, had got close to realising European Cup success, reaching the 1966 final in Brussels only to lose 2-1 to Real Madrid CF. Both these clubs have also performed outstandingly in domestic competition.

Changing status
All these events have taken place against a backdrop of political flux. From 1919-41 Yugoslavia was a kingdom but in 1946 it became a republic and subsequently underwent several changes of identity. From 1946-63 it was the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia (FNRJ), then the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRJ), until it finally fragmented in 1992. In the latter period, the country consisted of six republics: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia and Slovenia.

Sporting sanctions
In 1992 the new state of Serbia and Montenegro was named the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and in the same year a United Nations resolution imposing sanctions on the country was extended to sport. Consequently, the national team was sent back from the EURO '92 finals in Sweden despite having qualified on merit, and for the same reason it was prohibited from taking part in the qualifying competitions for the 1994 World Cup and EURO '96™.

FSSCG mandate
On 10 February 2003 the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia changed its name once again to Serbia and Montenegro. Now the FSSCG, with its headquarters in Belgrade, is responsible for all football activities in the country and is an independent, democratic, non-governmental and politically and religiously neutral association.
 
Discussion starter · #2 ·
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A case for the beautiful game
Football Association of Serbia and Montenegro president Dragan Stojkovic explains what UEFA's 50th anniversary means to his association.

uefa.com: How is the relationship between the FA of Serbia and Montenegro (FSSCG) and UEFA?

Dragan Stojkovic: It's excellent. UEFA's importance to international football is immeasurable - and I say international, and not just European, because the quality of both the players and the competitions is so high in Europe. The UEFA Champions League is an élite tournament and the UEFA European Championship compares favourably with the FIFA World Cup. We respect UEFA as an organisation and our priority is to maintain good relations. I congratulate everyone at UEFA on their 50th anniversary.

uefa.com: To what extent is UEFA's financial assistance important to the FSSCG?

Stojkovic: At the moment, very important. Since we did not participate at either the 2002 World Cup or UEFA EURO 2004™, donations from Nyon have been crucial to us, as they are to other smaller associations. We have nearly finished building a new training centre and will then be eligible to ask for funds from UEFA's HatTrick programme.

uefa.com: What can Serbo-Montenegrin football give to Europe?

Stojkovic: For decades we led the way in exporting talent to leading European clubs, and now we hope to do the same with the Serbs and Montenegrins but on a smaller scale. However, it will be very difficult for our clubs to achieve what FK Crvena Zvezda did in 1991 [winning the European Champion Clubs' Cup], and for our national team to emulate their successful predecessors of the 1960s. I don't like admitting it, but we are far from the top of the football tree.

uefa.com: Why is this the case?

Stojkovic: For political, social and financial reasons. The problem is the people, attitudes and a lack of money. Club budgets are tiny, and the licensing system is just an unlikely dream for many. Investment and money from abroad is in short supply, and only when the right political decisions are taken will the situation improve.

uefa.com: How do you get results when clubs are constantly selling their young players and don't have a settled side?

Stojkovic: Selling players is the only financial recourse we have at present. The introduction of the Bosman rule has practically ruined us. This is not only our problem, but also that of many other countries. But I do not want to moan, as this is the reality and we must deal with it.

uefa.com: How are the national teams?

Stojkovic: Our Under-21s came second in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship this summer. Our priority is to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, and we are doing all we can to prepare well. I believe we will succeed. The national team have always been the driving force behind the domestic game, and I am glad that FIFA and UEFA are keen to preserve friendly international matches and don't let the big clubs have everything they want.

uefa.com: Has football changed?

Stojkovic: Yes it has. Money is to blame because now only results matter. All we talk about are rankings and results, and playing beautiful football is not enough. One of the most important things is the training of coaches, and we have just opened a school with UEFA assistance which gives us the right to issue professional coaching licences.

uefa.com: What has changed most in the game?

Stojkovic: The emphasis is now on defence, which has altered the approach to the game. I am glad I played at a time when it was very important what the fans said about your performance and not merely the result. We must continue to attract youngsters to the sport.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
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World champions fall in Florence
By Aleksandar Boškovic

The outstanding match in the history of Serbo-Montenegrin football was arguably the 1-0 victory for Yugoslavia over world champions England at the 1968 UEFA European Championship in Italy, although their hopes of silverware would end in a final replay against the hosts.

Impressive progress
Yugoslavia had qualified for the last four in style, topping a group that included West Germany, France and Albania. Indeed, a 1-1 draw against the French in Paris had prefaced a 5-1 triumph over Les Bleus in Belgrade, with Ilija Petkovic (2), Vahidin Musemic (2) and Dragan Džajic the scorers.

Weight of history
So to 5 June 1968 in Florence where Yugoslavia met Sir Alf Ramsey's FIFA World Cup holders. England were the favourites but the Yugoslavians had European Championship history on their side, having reached the inaugural final in 1960.

Osim injury
However, the underdogs suffered an early setback when, five minutes into the game, midfielder Ivica Osim felt the full weight of a tackle from Norman Hunter, which left him hobbling. This was before the introduction of substitutes, meaning Yugoslavia were effectively down to ten men. Nonetheless, despite England's tough approach, the Yugoslavians gradually began to take control.

Crowd favourites
Contemporary match reports state that the crowd got right behind Yugoslavia and were rewarded with a brilliant display. Certainly, goalkeeper Ilija Pantelic remained relatively untroubled despite the promptings of English stars Bobby Moore and Alan Ball.

Džajic magic
At the other end, Musemic missed a great chance in the 46th minute, and Dobrivoje Trivic went close on two further occasions. The Balkan team were dominating but could not convert that into goals - until the 86th minute. Then, following a move started in his own half by midfielder Dragan Holcer, the ball found its way to winger Džajic on the left of the penalty area, and from 14 metres he volleyed the ball over Gordon Banks and into the top right-hand corner.

'World beaters'
Coach Rajko Mitic said of the win: "It was the crowning moment of my career . I had developed the team and tactics over many years, and in that match all the pieces of the jigsaw came together. We played wonderfully and would have beaten any team in the world that night. Even a badly injured Osim played well. This victory takes pride of place in our history because not many teams have beaten reigning world champions."

'My favourite'
Goalscorer Džajic had similarly fond memories: "I scored many goals in my career , but the goal in Florence is my favourite. Not many people thought we could do anything against England, but we believed in each another and enjoyed the fact we were under no pressure. We played magnificently, and I share the credit for the goal with Holcer and Musemic."

'From another planet'
Petkovic, one of the youngest players in the team, added: "I thought the England players and their coach were from another planet - even their names gave me goosebumps. But we started the game without fear, although we respected them and adjusted our tactics accordingly. We did not want to let our fans down, and amazingly we dictated the play and took the game to the world champions." And, boy, were they rewarded.
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
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The magic Dragan
To help mark UEFA's Jubilee, each national association was asked to nominate its most outstanding player of the past 50 years. Serbia and Montenegro chose Dragan Džajic as their Golden Player.

By Aleksandar Boškovic

Dragan Džajic is a footballing icon in Serbia and Montenegro, with a recent poll showing that 97 per cent of the population remember the name of the former FK Crvena Zvezda and Yugoslavia player.

Brilliant winger
That legacy is no surprise. Džajic was a brilliant left winger who gilded a Crvena Zvezda career spanning 590 games and 287 goals by winning five league titles and four Yugoslavian Cups.

Early starter
Born on 30 May 1946 in the small town of Ub, 60 kilometres outside Belgrade, he was plucked from the relative obscurity of his local club, FK Jedinstvo, by Crvena Zvezda coach Miljan Miljanic. Though aged only 17, he was soon handed his senior debut in a first division match against FK Buducnost Podgorica, a goalless draw. Miljanic's faith was certainly rewarded over the following years.

Sweet left foot
Džajic might have started out as a left-back, but it was further up the flank that he made his impact. Crvena Zvezda's resident No11 was an expert dribbler whose sweet left foot provided countless goals for team-mate Jovan Acimovic; his right wasn't bad either. Džajic was rewarded for his brilliance with championship medals in 1964, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1973, while he lifted the cup in 1964, 1968, 1970 and 1971.

Semi-final defeat
European Champion Clubs' Cup success very nearly came his way too. In the 1970/71 season, Crvena Zvezda reached the semi-finals of the top continental club competition, and beat Panathinaikos FC 4-1 in the first leg in Belgrade. Džajic was suspended for the return in Athens, however, which the Greek team won 3-0 to go through on away goals.

French sojourn
In 1975, Džajic finally took up the offer of a move abroad, joining French side SC Bastia, where he made 80 appearances over two years. He then returned home to Crvena Zvezda for a swansong season which concluded with a match against FK Velez in Mostar in 1978.

International class
His reputation was not limited to the former Yugoslavia, however. Džajic played 85 internationals, scoring 24 goals, between 1964 and a farewell appearance against Argentina in 1979. He went to two UEFA European Championships (1968 and 1976) and one FIFA World Cup (1974). Indeed, he was his country's most-capped player until Savo Miloševic finally overtook him in October 2004.

'Balkan miracle'
Perhaps his finest moment came in the European Championship of 1968, where his superb 85th-minute lob brought Yugoslavia a 1-0 semi-final win against England. That goal also earned him the moniker 'Džajic the magic Dragan' in the British press. His team subsequently lost the final to Italy, but Pelé had seen enough to say: "Džajic is the Balkan miracle – a real wizard. I'm just sorry he's not Brazilian because I've never seen such a natural footballer." Pace, skill, intelligence: he had the lot.

Club servant
Džajic was no less influential a figure after retiring. As technical director and, from 1998-2004, president of Crvena Zvezda, he was key to that club's continued success, including their victory in the European Cup of 1990/91.

'Different game'
However, he is not sure he would have the same impact if he were a player today. "It was a different kind of football back then. The game was fairer and today it is much more difficult to dribble," he said. "But I was lucky to play for Zvezda. They were a very strong club in a first-class league – one of the top five in Europe at the time. The stadiums were always full and every match was a huge challenge. But I always felt an inner strength, particularly when going towards the opposition goal. I loved it."
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
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Entertaining legacy must endure
Miljan Miljanic is one of Serbia and Montenegro's foremost footballing personalities. A player and coach with FK Crvena Zvezda, he won four league titles and three domestic cups as well as guiding the Belgrade side to a European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-final in 1971. That same year he became coach of Real Madrid CF and went on to claim a Spanish domestic double.

FA president
Latterly, Miljanic was president of the Football Association of Serbia and Montenegro (FSSCG) from 1993-2001. Now that organisation's honorary president, he tells uefa.com about the past, present and future of the game in his country.

uefa.com: How was Serbo-Montenegrin football when you began coaching in the 1960s?

Miljan Miljanic: The game was very attractive to watch. It was a time of what we called 'maestros' - for example, it meant nothing to score if the goal did not result from some brilliant piece of play. The stadiums were full and everyone in the country played football. Of course, trophies were demanded, as was success on the international stage. But it was difficult to achieve the former as Yugoslavia had many good clubs - FK Partizan, HNK Hajduk Split, NK Dinamo Zagreb, FK Sarajevo and FK Vardar among them. We had an excellent league which produced a strong national team.

uefa.com: What are your memories of your time as Yugoslavia coach and FSSCG president?

Miljanic: Excellent ones! Of course, no one is really happy at a FIFA World Cup unless they win the title, and we could not reach the very pinnacle [in 1974 and 1982], but we did our best. I particularly remember our qualifiers for the 1974 tournament in Germany. We played Spain on neutral soil in Frankfurt and won an unforgettable match 1-0. Then, as association president, I faced many problems that had nothing to do with football. This was during the time of international sanctions - from 1992-95 - and we were not allowed to play international football. However, we organised projects to find, for instance, 1,000 new players, referees or coaches. A lot of today's Serbo-Montenegrin internationals are the result of those schemes.

uefa.com: What is your opinion of football today?

Miljanic: I never criticise another's work , and people in football have problems that might not be known to the general public. But football is changing and my advice is to try and preserve the spirit of the game. We have to get children playing, work carefully with them and teach them movement and how to keep the game flowing. Goals are the most beautiful thing in football - not trophies or money - and children understand this.

uefa.com: How has Serbia and Montenegro contributed to European football?

Miljanic: We have been active and relatively successful in many areas. We have participated in all UEFA projects, and produced teams and players who have gone on to become international stars like Velibor Vasovic, Dragan Stojkovic, Dejan Savicevic and Predrag Mijatovic. We have also had successful coaches such as Bora Milutinovic, Radomir Antic, Vujadin Boškov and Dušan Bajevic, and have contributed to the game's development in Africa, Asia and Central America. We have played with our soul and, I believe, we have entertained many people.

uefa.com: What has been the national team's greatest success?

Miljanic: We have twice reached the final of the UEFA European Championship, in 1960 and 1968. Also, five medals from the Olympics is not a bad record. We have never been easy opponents, and I hope that in future years we will find the necessary strength to repeat past successes.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
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Partizan mean business
By Aleksandar Boškovic

FK Partizan were founded in October 1945 by the Yugoslavian army in a bid to overcome nationalist feelings and unite Yugoslavian fans around a club intended to represent the entire state. Partizan subsequently became the second most successful side to emerge from the Serbian capital, Belgrade, securing 18 championships and nine national cups.

Black and white
Indeed, together with FK Crvena Zvezda and Croatian teams NK Dinamo Zagreb and HNK Hajduk Split, Partizan helped to form the 'big four' around whom much of Yugoslavia's football lore was written. The club was run by army generals, and it was on the instructions of one of them, Franjo Tudjman (later president of Croatia) that Partizan changed their colours from red and blue to black and white in the mid-1960s. However, when Yugoslavia ceased to exist in 1992, the army's influence faded fast.

Significant milestones
Partizan became famous for their youth scheme, which produced some of the most celebrated players in the history of the former Yugoslavia. Among their old boys are: Stjepan Bobek, Zlatko Èajkovski, Branislav Atanackovic, Branko Zebec, Marko Valok, Milan Galic, Miloš Milutinovic, Milutin Šoškic, Fahrudin Jusufi, Vladica Kovacevic, Velibor Vasovic, Nenad Bjekovic, Ivan Curkovic, Momèilo Vukotic, Branko Rasovic, Nikica Klinèarski, Dragan Mance, Predrag Mijatovic, Slaviša Jokanovic, Slobodan Santrac and Zoran Mirkovic. They were also the first Yugoslavian side to contest a European Champion Clubs' Cup final, losing 2-1 to Real Madrid CF in Brussels in 1966 - still the most important game played by the club.

Champions League success
Another source of pride is that Partizan are the only Serbo-Montenegrin team to have reached the UEFA Champions League group stage. They did so, in 2003/04, by defeating Newcastle United FC in a qualifying-round tie on penalties, after Ivica Iliev's away goal had annulled the English team's 1-0 win in Belgrade. Club director Nenad Bjekovic said: "We lived for the day when we would finally take a big step forward. Playing in the Champions League was a historical success for Partizan, and we raised the bar in Serbia and Montenegro."

High standards
A key figure in this success was Lothar Matthäus, so far the only foreign coach to have worked in the country, who set high standards while at Partizan. These have become apparent off the pitch, too, where Partizan have made huge strides in terms of their organisation and marketing, with president Ivan Curkovic, director Bjekovic and general secretary Žarko Zecevic also playing important roles in the club's development. How far they can go, only time will tell.

League championships: 1947, 1949, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1987,1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003.

Yugoslavian/Serbo-Montenegrin Cups: 1947, 1952, 1954, 1957,1989, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2001.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
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European glory spurs former champions
By Aleksandar Boškovic

FK Crvena Zvezda were only founded in 1945 but they have since made up for lost time. The most-titled club in Serbia and Montenegro with 23 league championships and 20 domestic cups, 'Red Star' are also the country's favourite team. A poll conducted in 1990 found that just under half the 22 million population supported a club which, within 12 months, would be crowned kings of Europe.

Near misses
The continental glory that complemented Crvena Zvezda's success on home soil had been a long time coming. Chief among a series of hard-luck stories was their defeat by Panathinaikos FC in the European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-finals of 1970/71. Leading 4-1 from the first leg, the 'red and whites' went down 3-0 in Athens and failed to progress. They also fell at the second-last hurdle in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1975, before losing out to VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach in the UEFA Cup final four years later.

Penalty drama
So any good fortune that accompanied them en route to the 1991 European Cup final in Bari was hard earned. That journey included wins against Grasshopper-Club, Rangers FC, 1. FC Dynamo Dresden and FC Bayern München. Then, on 29 May, they faced Olympique de Marseille in a match that finished goalless after 120 goals, but ended in Crvena Zvezda's favour following a 5-3 penalty shoot-out triumph. Goalkeeper and captain Stevan Stojanovic saved Manuel Amoros's effort, allowing top scorer Darko Panèev to convert the decisive spot-kick.

Fabulous achievement
That win remains the pinnacle of the Belgrade club's achievements. They had joined Romania's FC Steaua Bucuresti as the only eastern European teams to lift the coveted trophy; and in today's much-changed continental footballing environment, it is a feat that will be difficult in the extreme to repeat.

'Fantastic team'
Coach Ljupko Petrovic said of the victory: "We were in uncharted territory, we had no experience of this, but we did have a fantastic team with great individuals. On the night we played for the result - we knew that was the thing people would remember. I was so nervous I was trembling, but when Panèev scored I exploded. The pressure was off and I was amazed at what we had achieved."

Stellar talents
This was no ordinary side, featuring such talents as Dejan Savicevic, Panèev, Siniša Mihajlovic, Vladimir Jugovic, Robert Prosineèki and Miodrag Belodedici. Savicevic said: "I never felt better in my career . We were international stars and all very good friends, and the political instability in our country inspired us to go on. We knew we could become Europe's best - and unique in the history of the Balkans." However, the win was also the last hurrah for a team that was to be broken up both by big-money moves abroad and the impending conflict in the former Yugoslavia.

High standards
Nonetheless, as title-holders, Crvena Zvezda impressed in the 1991/92 Champions' Cup despite having to play home ties in Hungary and Bulgaria because of the civil war. Indeed, they were only pipped to a place in the final by UC Sampdoria. Since then, and for all their domestic dominance, European success has eluded them, though the benchmark remains set by the boys of Bari.

League championships: 1951, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1991,1992, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2004.

Yugoslavian/Serbo-Montenegrin Cups: 1948, 1949, 1950, 1958, 1959, 1964, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1982, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004.

European Champion Clubs' Cup: 1991.
 
#8 ·
Za partizaniju koja nije bila rodjena 1966., evo imena igraca (sa nadimcima u zagradi) na slici onog odista velikog tima (s leva na desno):

Stoje: Ivan Curkovic (Cure), Ljubomir Mihajlovic (Slina), Milutin Soskic (Sole), Josip Pirmajer (Karavela), Branko Rasovic (Raske), Velibor Vasovic (Vaske), Mustafa Hasanagic (Muja)
Cuce: Mane Bajic (Mane), Vladica Kovacevic (Poslovodja), Fahrudin Jusufi (Julka), Milan Galic (Gale), Radosav Becejac (Grba)
 
#9 ·
Slika reprezentativaca nije tim koji je pobedio u Firenci. Na slici su, s leva na desno:

Gornji red: Zivorad Jeftic (CZ), Slaven Zambata (Dinamo), Ivica Osim (Zeljeznicar), Dragan Holcer (Hajduk), Krasnodar Rora (Dinamo), trener Atanackovic?, Vahidin Musemic (Sarajevo), Ivan Curkovic (Partizan)

Donji red: Ratomir Dujkovic (CZ), Ilija Petkovic (OFK), Miroslav Pavlovic (CZ), Slobodan Santrac (OFK), Milan Boskovic (Hajduk)

U Firenci su igrali: Pantelic, Fazlagic, Damjanovic, Pavlovic, Paunovic, Holcer, Petkovic, Trivic, Musemic, Osim, Dzajic.
 
#12 ·
It's all fits in with an organization like the UEFA and FIFA too for that matter. They idolize corrupt mofo's like Miljanic and Dzajic and even have the guts to exclude countries if their government tries to bring down corrupt FA's.

The rest of the articles are indeed a great read.
 
#13 ·
Great articles.

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Until there is concrete proof that any those men, Dzajic or Miljanic has stolen money, you have no right to lynch them.

To say that Miljanic single handily destroyed our football is ridiculous. What would you have done to keep Serbia a world power? With the war, economic ruin, the degradation of society and morals, rampaging hooligans, low attendance, general disinterest in the sport, players wanting to play elsewhere, etc.. It is a miracle that Serbia can still compete to qualify for a major tournament. Sure things should have been done better, but that is a problem with a lot of the FA's out there, not only ours.
 
#14 ·
Thanks Jug Bogdan, regarding Miljanic. He is a towering figure of our football and probably among the most influential football man in the whole world. Our people do not respect his great accomplishments either because they don't know of them or because they hate successful people. However, he is highly respected and admired aborad which is a testimony to his great work. (This is not the first time that a successful Serb is spit at by his own countrymen and yet highly respected by the rest of the world.) Regarding Dzajic, he has been the greatest footballer ever that played on the Balkans, but he has partly ruined his reputation by poor management of Zvezda in the recent years and by his refusal to realize that, but rather blame other people for it. I doubt that he (and Miljanic for that matter) has stolen money from the club.
 
#15 ·
Jug Bogdan said:
Great articles.

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Until there is concrete proof that any those men, Dzajic or Miljanic has stolen money, you have no right to lynch them.
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Alright then by the same token Sloba is innocent of stealing millions from our country. I doubt you'll find much paper work to link him with anything ;) But I'm sure people also hate Sloba then just because he turned out to be so successful, Serbs have a knack for doing that (or so someone says)

To say that Miljanic single handily destroyed our football is ridiculous.
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I said it and I'm sticking to it! :)

What would you have done to keep Serbia a world power? With the war, economic ruin, the degradation of society and morals, rampaging hooligans, low attendance, general disinterest in the sport, players wanting to play elsewhere, etc.. It is a miracle that Serbia can still compete to qualify for a major tournament. Sure things should have been done better, but that is a problem with a lot of the FA's out there, not only ours.
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The war is just an excuse, Croatia was also in a war. ;) Economic ruin? Again another excuse probably started by Miljanic and his alike. Since when do you have to be a rich country to be successful? If that's the case then countries like England, Spain, France, Germany etc. should be winning everything all the time, but they ain't. General disinterest? Let me ask you something, why do you think there has been such a general disinterest? I'll answer the question for you, it's because people have become fed up with Miljanic and those other football cronies around him. Players wanting to play elsewhere? So what? Don't Brazil, Argentina, Nigeria among others have the same problem? Of course it's everyones dream to play in a big Italian, Spanish and EPL league where all the money is. How does this affect our side? It's a miracle we can compete for a major tournament? Now that is just total bs, obviously a comment spurred by the brainwashing of Miljanic, Piksi and the rest of the "savez". Our mentality has gone from "winning is everything" to now what you say, "let's lose by a minimal margin".
 
#17 ·
Wow, what a genius remark yourself. I expect more from a man that prides himself on writing everything about nothing.

P.S. To all of you commie, Miljanic-Sloba-Tito, admirers here please tell me one thing; How come only in soccer have we had such a devastating set back?
 
#19 ·
Really though guys, PV presents a number of valid arguments and you don't even bother to counter them.

On top of everything he said, I'd like to add that there have been numerous cases of players telling the truth about our FA. Meaning that you either have to pay to be called up, or hand over a percentage of the transfer if you're sold during a major tournament. Guys like Petkovic, Stefanovic and others have made these claims.
As for Dzaja, not stealing money? Ben, you must be out of your mind. Where the hell are all the millions Zvezda received over the last decade or so. The Drulic, Bunja, Deki etc etc transfers. Invested in our toilets? And you actually believe that sh!t. Fact is he hasn't invested a single million in new players whereas we can be certain that we at least received 20 times as much. Fact is that Zvezda keeps on selling it's best players every single season without getting any in return. Fact is that we haven't made CL a single time since he was in charge and not because we didn't have the quality, but because Dzaja decided to cash in on all the quality we had.

Sometimes you don't have to know everything that happens behind the scenes to get a pretty valid picture about what's going on. Indeed, we're not the only country in the world with such a FA, but we are ONE of them and that shouldn't be the case.

As for your arguments, our basketballers, volleyballers and waterpolo-ers can counter everything you said. Were they not in the same situation? Didn't football have an advantage over all those sports in the early '90s, with our NT being one of the world's finest and Zvezda being no more and no less than European and World champs. Now explain how those sports have blossomed over the years and how our football has gone to waste..
 
#20 ·
Drulo. the things that you and Parnjak call arguments are mere speculations. For example, you claim that the players were payed to be called up or that percentages of their transfers were given to (I presume) Miljanic. Consider just the NT team from France 1998 or From EURO2000. Which of the players on the roster were paying or giving up transfer-money for the spot in the NT? First, there very few domestic-based players on the roster. Second, those that were invited were more or less the best we had. Petkovic and Stefanovic were simply not good enough. Would you say that Rambo should be called up before Piksi, D. Stankovic or Drulovic. Or that Stefanovic should be given priority to Djukic, Miha, or Djorovic?

As far az Dzajic, I'd rather say that the money you are talking about is wasted as a result of bad management rather than Dzajic stole it. Bad management and wrong club policy are so obvious in Zvezda so one should not expect the club to be financially sound. It is like in a family where income is sufficient for a decent life but the familly always suffers from lack of money because the family memebers live beyond their means. That is not steeling, that is fiscal iresponsibility.

As far as our football NT being one of the world finest in the early 90s - this is a myth. There are no results to support this claim. (Interestingly, during the late 90s, our NT reached the highest FIFA ranking ever; starting from the very bottom and climbed up to 10th or so place. That was during dreaded Miljanic's era.)
 
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