FK Partizan 1-2 Crvena Zvezda
Partizan Stadium
27/02/16
Att: 25,000
,As regular readers will have noted, I've dipped under the radar this season. I have been to the odd game here and there, but I've not been writing words and largely the site hasn't been publicised in the manner that it usually has. I've neglected somewhat as well - I will get round to uploading photo's of the abandoned grounds in Vilnius, Brno and Budapest - but I've been unlucky with a mixture of the winter break and teams being away when I've visited. This side of the winter break, however, I've had/have 3 key games I'm visiting. Poznan with Phil in a few weeks, the Sarajevo derby in April and this, the 150th Belgrade derby. Those that can remember back to 149 in September will know just the impression it left on me, and that there was no way I was missing the game.
It's not normally I'd write about the days building up to a game, or indeed how I got there, but the enormity of the game really becomes clear. We'd flown into Podgorica, Montenegro in order to keep costs down, and got the 12 hour overnight train to Belgrade. At the station it became clear that more than a handful of people on the platform were also going to Belgrade for the game. Normally this wouldn't bother me, but I'd been an idiot and had a Red Star T-shirt on (covered up) and Red/White trainers, so the first part of the journey was a game of 'guess who they support?' until two guys sat next to us and we got talking. Initially Joe just mouthed 'Partizan', we got talking about football and his first question was 'as you're at the game, are you North/South?'. 'Zapad' I replied, ah right 'North myself' was his reply. A sigh of relief. As it was, the two were really nice guys and we shared food and talked ultras/looked at their videos of previous Zvezda games.
Waking up in the morning it became clear a lot of the train was Red and White with 'Crazy North' shirts walking along the corridor next to the compartment. Saying goodbye to our new acquaintances we were bid farewell with 'enjoy the game, just stay safe' and we parted ways. Dropping the bags at the hostel we walked up to Partizan and the Marakana for photos. A pint at the Marakana really built the excitement for the game, with people collecting tickets etc. Fast forward 24 hours and we were walking to the home of Zvezda's most hated rivals.
Walking along the Autokomanda was sketchier than the last game. Firstly, there seemed to be less police than last time, and secondly we somehow got caught up in a large group of Grobari/CSKA Moscow fans. Ducking down a side alley without drawing attention to ourselves we made the way to ground to collect tickets off a friend. We were to be in the Zapad, in the block right next to the official away end, but as it was everyone around us was Red and White - still didn't stop Joe's red lighter being taken off him going in though! As with last time, we waited as the ground filled and both sides exclaimed pleasantries. The loudest chant, however, was both Delije and Grobari exclaimed their mutual distaste towards the Serbian prime minister.
The players came out and the show was underway. Delije unfurling a banner proclaiming "A new book on sale 'how we destroyed the south'". Grobari were less imaginative, but I couldn't complain as 20 seconds into the game pyrotechnics meant that we had our first stoppage. Over the course of the game more flares were let off, stolen shirts and flags burned, a Spartak Moscow fan arrested and we had three more delays due to the smoke. On the pitch however it was a nervy start as Partizan took the lead early on. Zvezda's defence stood still and let the Partizan player run in unmarked to head past Kahriman. This was just the kick up the arse needed for unbeaten Zvezda. First Ibanez sent the away end into raptures, but this as nothing compared to Vieira's bullet header just before half time.
The second half was nervy for us as Vieira and his strike partners wasted 3 early chances to kill off the game, allowing Partizan to slowly get back into it. When Luković was sent off we really feared the worst, but the defence was resolute as Zvezda went 32 points clear of Partizan, and 27 points clear of second place. At full time some fans spilled onto the running track to celebrate with the Zvezda players, as we left to a chorus of 'Zvezda Oooo!' We had to wipe the smiles off our face quickly though as we walked towards the Jug in order to make our way back to the city. Thankfully the ever helpful Belgrade police force had blocked our route so we had to stand around waiting for crowds to disperse from the Jug before making our way back down to the Autokomanda and hailing the first taxi we could.
Once again, I'm so glad I made this game, and will aim to do more next season (heck, I might even try for in the championship round later this season) but my next aim in Serbia is to go to a 'normal' game with Zvezda as from the Cukaricki game we know this is an entity to its own. With any luck when we're in Belgrade at the end of April we can sneak in a game with the Sarajevo derby on the Sunday.
Please keep checking back with the blogs as we broaden our range of games even further!
It's not normally I'd write about the days building up to a game, or indeed how I got there, but the enormity of the game really becomes clear. We'd flown into Podgorica, Montenegro in order to keep costs down, and got the 12 hour overnight train to Belgrade. At the station it became clear that more than a handful of people on the platform were also going to Belgrade for the game. Normally this wouldn't bother me, but I'd been an idiot and had a Red Star T-shirt on (covered up) and Red/White trainers, so the first part of the journey was a game of 'guess who they support?' until two guys sat next to us and we got talking. Initially Joe just mouthed 'Partizan', we got talking about football and his first question was 'as you're at the game, are you North/South?'. 'Zapad' I replied, ah right 'North myself' was his reply. A sigh of relief. As it was, the two were really nice guys and we shared food and talked ultras/looked at their videos of previous Zvezda games.
Waking up in the morning it became clear a lot of the train was Red and White with 'Crazy North' shirts walking along the corridor next to the compartment. Saying goodbye to our new acquaintances we were bid farewell with 'enjoy the game, just stay safe' and we parted ways. Dropping the bags at the hostel we walked up to Partizan and the Marakana for photos. A pint at the Marakana really built the excitement for the game, with people collecting tickets etc. Fast forward 24 hours and we were walking to the home of Zvezda's most hated rivals.
Walking along the Autokomanda was sketchier than the last game. Firstly, there seemed to be less police than last time, and secondly we somehow got caught up in a large group of Grobari/CSKA Moscow fans. Ducking down a side alley without drawing attention to ourselves we made the way to ground to collect tickets off a friend. We were to be in the Zapad, in the block right next to the official away end, but as it was everyone around us was Red and White - still didn't stop Joe's red lighter being taken off him going in though! As with last time, we waited as the ground filled and both sides exclaimed pleasantries. The loudest chant, however, was both Delije and Grobari exclaimed their mutual distaste towards the Serbian prime minister.
The players came out and the show was underway. Delije unfurling a banner proclaiming "A new book on sale 'how we destroyed the south'". Grobari were less imaginative, but I couldn't complain as 20 seconds into the game pyrotechnics meant that we had our first stoppage. Over the course of the game more flares were let off, stolen shirts and flags burned, a Spartak Moscow fan arrested and we had three more delays due to the smoke. On the pitch however it was a nervy start as Partizan took the lead early on. Zvezda's defence stood still and let the Partizan player run in unmarked to head past Kahriman. This was just the kick up the arse needed for unbeaten Zvezda. First Ibanez sent the away end into raptures, but this as nothing compared to Vieira's bullet header just before half time.
The second half was nervy for us as Vieira and his strike partners wasted 3 early chances to kill off the game, allowing Partizan to slowly get back into it. When Luković was sent off we really feared the worst, but the defence was resolute as Zvezda went 32 points clear of Partizan, and 27 points clear of second place. At full time some fans spilled onto the running track to celebrate with the Zvezda players, as we left to a chorus of 'Zvezda Oooo!' We had to wipe the smiles off our face quickly though as we walked towards the Jug in order to make our way back to the city. Thankfully the ever helpful Belgrade police force had blocked our route so we had to stand around waiting for crowds to disperse from the Jug before making our way back down to the Autokomanda and hailing the first taxi we could.
Once again, I'm so glad I made this game, and will aim to do more next season (heck, I might even try for in the championship round later this season) but my next aim in Serbia is to go to a 'normal' game with Zvezda as from the Cukaricki game we know this is an entity to its own. With any luck when we're in Belgrade at the end of April we can sneak in a game with the Sarajevo derby on the Sunday.
Please keep checking back with the blogs as we broaden our range of games even further!