9 Apr 2022
Srpska Liga Beograd
OFK Beograd v FK TEK Sloga
Omladinski Stadion
Belgrade, Serbia
The first match on our Serbian Ground hop was the third tier clash between OFK Beograd and FK TEK Sloga. Tickets are readily available on the day at most Serbian matches but be prepared for the prices. I paid 800 Serbian Dinar for two tickets in VIP lounge (about £5.60, 2.80 each).
Omladinski Stadium from the North Tribune
Taken from the East Tribune
The stadium is known as the Youth's Stadium and has been the home of OFK since 1957. It can take up to 19,100 people but has a total of about 10,600 seats with about 20% covered. The stadium is rapidly deteriorating and can only hold about a third of its intended capacity, although this is hardly necessary in the regional league of Belgrade.
Day 1 - Arriving at our centrally located digs on Prizrenska
Whilst waiting for the room to be cleaned we discover Jelen
Wandering down Kneza Mikhaila
Once we get into the apartment we are greeted
with this view from the balcony
Not to waste the rest of the day we head out on the No7 tram to check out the stadiums at Partizan and Red Star to get some photos and souveniers
T 54 tank outside the North Stand at Red Star Belgrade, they parked it here ahead of the Champions League clash with Swiss champions Young Boys on 27 Aug 2019, sparking outrage
On the way back we jump off the tram to explore the Temple of Saint Sava which is the largest Serbian Orthodox Church and the third largest Orthodox church in christendom
Day one has been exhausting so we finish off on the balcony with a fine glass of Serbian red.
Day Two is match day at OFK, first a bit of sight seeing. This is the most famous hotel in Belgrade, the Hotel Moscow.
Terazije Fountain - significant to Belgrade's orthodox christians
Savski Square is named after the river Sava which flows just beyond the old railway station but the main attraction is the monument to Stefan Nemanja. The Grand Prince of Serbia is standing on a broken Byzantine helmet symbolising that the independence of the Serbian state was won in the fight with the Eastern Roman Empire. This is mounted on top of his son's episcopal sceptre.
Back on tram No 7 heading to Red Star to get tickets for match day 2 and a cheeky stadium tour before the OFK match
1000 Dinars for a guided tour of Red Star
Belgrade's stadium and museum
Red Star tour
The first glimpse of this once proud club who have previously won 5 national championships; all in the 1930's when the club were known as BSK (Beogradski Sport Club).
The main entrance advertising a restaurant called 'Restoran Romaticari' looked very enticing, sadly the terrace was closed but we did manage to get served indoors.
Right next to the restaurant is the bar which doubled up as the club shop. Sadly all they had for sale were T-shirts. Dynamo Moscow scarves were decorating the bar area
Monument at the entrance to the club offices
inside the offices
The entrance to the club offices
Founded in 1911 OFK have previously been known as BSK (1911-45 and 1950-57), Metalac (1945-50) and since 1957 it was renamed OFK, the Omladinski Fudbalski Klub which translates as Youth Football Club Belgrade.
Outside the offices on match day one
Official parking and club offices within the East Tribune
The glory years at OFK with the pinnacle being a semi final in the European Cup Winners Cup v Spurs in 1962-63
Entering the VIP seating area
The crumbling West Tribune holds 7800 with 6770 chairs in 33 rows and an additional covered box area with 264. It has the most rows in Serbian football outside of Red star Belgrade.
The ultras are known the Blue Union and stand in the SE corner of the East tribune. The East stand has 2600 seats (2080 seats and in the VIP box there are 92 seats and 33 press seats).
The North Tribune is crumbling and overgrown and holds 4100 (550 chairs)
View along the lower East Tribune
OFK celebrate their first goal against FK TEK Slova
Hanging out with the VIPs
A view from the South Tribune which holds 4600 (1200 chairs)
From the south
View from the SW corner
The VIP stand on the East Tribune and the press box to the right. The Panchevachki bridge over the Danube is in view
A view of the once mighty West Tribune shows the
state of the derelict seating area
View from the North Tribune
The mandatory Serbian graffiti outside of the West Tribune
The OFK player is Slobodan Santrac and was the all time leading goal score in Yugoslavian football with 218 goals scored. Yet he only played 8 times for Yugoslavia, scoring once.
The middle artwork translates from Serbian as: "When I arrived, I found the most beautiful place from ancient times, the great city of Belgrade, which was destroyed by chance and deserted. I created it and dedicated it to the holy mother of god.
It is a quote from Despot Stefan Lazerevic who was the last great ruler of Serbia 1376-1427
The Karaburma residential housing tower which overlooks the stadium is referred to by the locals as Toblerone Tower.
After the game we jump on a number 16 bus to Republic Square and head towards the Bohemian quarter of Skadrlija. The restaurant is called the Travelling Actor.
Serenaded with an Elvis number
Anyone for another Slivovitz
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