SPORT / SPORTS
BELGRADE UNDER FLOODLIGHTS
Serbia awaits England Whether you’re on the
terraces, in front of the TV or in the company of friends – 9 th September is reserved for football. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that nothing’s impossible when Serbia plays in front of its home audience T here’s a special charm to Sep- tember evenings in Belgrade. The stifling summer air is slowly dissipating and the city is coloured with the gold- en hues of sunset. But the atmosphere won’t only be romantic this 9 th Septem- ber – it will be electrifying. Preparations are underway for a spectacle at Rajko Mitić Stadium, where Serbia’s national football team will host England under the scope of the World Cup qualifiers. This isn’t merely another football match. It’s a meeting between two nations with a rich tradition of football and two teams that nurture completely different styles of play, but also supporters that breathe for their team with equal passion. For Serbia, it’s an opportunity to show the team’s strength, talent and unwavering will in front of its home fans. For Eng- land, it provides a chance to confirm the team’s status as one of the favourites to qualify. History of rivalry Serbia and England have met on multi- ple occasions, with each duel having left its mark. English football is known for its discipline, speed and tactical coordi- nation, while the Serbian game relies on technique, creativity and the “spark” that often comes from the heart, as opposed to calculations. The Belgrade audience knows that genuine football theatre is en- sured when these two worlds collide. City focused on football The days building up to the match will be special. Around Belgrade’s cafés and restaurants, you’re sure to hear discus- sions of tactics, formations and the lat-
Tomas Tuhel i Dragan Stojković Piksi, selektori Engleske i Srbije Thomas Tuchel and Dragan Stojkovic Piksi, England and Serbia coaches
est news from the national team camp. The squares will be filled with fans, while the streets will be painted red, white and blue. Guests from England have already announced their arrival in large numbers – we expect the arrival of hundreds of fans from the island, who are known for singing supporters’ songs from the first minute to the last. Expectations and trump cards Serbia enters the match motivated to cause an upset. The captain, represent- ing a symbol of experience and a lead- er on the pitch, will head a young but hungry generation of players wanting to prove themselves on the biggest stage. England, on the other hand, arrives with an impressive squad – with players from the world’s strongest clubs, who are ready to use every opportunity to show the strength of the Premier League. Rajko Mitić Stadium - more than a football ground Many still refer to this stadium as “Mar- akana”, and there’s a simple reason for that: the atmosphere generated by over
50,000 fans can’t be compared to any- thing else. When the singing starts in the North Stand and fans around the packed stadium raise their scarves, it’s a moment to remember for a lifetime – whether you’re on the field or in the stands. For- eign players often say that playing in Bel- grade is an unforgettable experience. Where to watch the game For those unable to make it to the stadi- um, the match will be broadcast on na- tional television, while many Belgrade bars will organise big screen projections. It is especially magical to gather and watch with friends, over a backyard bar- becue or on a balcony with a view of the city – Belgrade will be one big auditorium on that evening. Why this match is a must-watch This will be more than a sporting event. It will be an opportunity to demonstrate unity, love for the game and the pas- sion that football arouses. For both play- ers and fans alike, this is a moment to inscribe in one’s memoirs as another evening when Belgrade breathed as one.
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