27.11.2025.
Exhibition match between military veterans and Red Star F.C. veteran players
As part of the Veterans Day celebrations, an exhibition futsal match was held today in the Prof. Dr. Branislav Pokrajac Hall at the Voždovac Sports Centre. The game brought together military veterans – both active duty and retired members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, and Red Star F.C. veteran players.
The Red Star veterans were victorious, and after the game, Colonel Đorđe Kalanj, Head of the Department for Tradition, Standard, and Veterans at the Ministry of Defence’s Human Resources Sector, presented certificates to the players, while sponsors received letters of appreciation. At the start of the match, the team captains exchanged jerseys.Lieutenant Colonel Mirko Krneta (retd) stated that the match was marked by sportsmanship and strong support from the crowd.
– This year, we had the honour of playing against Red Star veterans, and it was all the more special since the Red Star team included players we remember for their outstanding football performances. The score wasn’t our priority, we are older on average, but we did well and even managed to score a few goals. Matches like this are really about celebrating Veterans Day, and I’m particularly pleased that the Ministry of Defence, the Serbian Armed Forces, and the state have restored the role of military veterans to its rightful place. The gesture of organizing this event shows us that we are in the right place and that our work, efforts and everything we have done for our country are truly appreciated, said Lt. Col. Krneta.
Former Red Star player and coach Boško Đurovski said it was a great honour for the club to take part in the event.- The military veterans proved to be a tough team. Even though we brought a younger team, they still managed to score five goals against us, which really shows their courage. A strong state means a strong military. Our veterans have shown throughout history how brave they are, and on behalf of Red Star, I congratulate them on their anniversary, said Đurovski, expressing hope that matches like this would become a tradition.
The match was attended by numerous members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, veterans’ associations, as well as the players’ families and friends. The event was made even more special by Red Star legends Dušan Savić, Nikola Žigić, Vladimir Petrović - Pižon, Stanislav Karasi, Žarko Đurović, and Zdravko Borovnica.Veterans Day commemorates December 4, 1912, when a ceasefire was signed during the First Balkan War. On that day, around 400,000 soldiers of the Royal Serbian Army became “old warriors”, i.e. veterans.
PHOTOGALLERY
VIDEOGALLERY
mp4 