october-2011

Extra time in Split
Split has a strong football
tradition and Hajduk’s fan club,
Torcida, is one of the oldest in
Europe. Although the team is
often overshadowed by
Dinamo Zagreb, it’s enjoyed
Torcida’s loyal support since
the fan club was founded over
60 years ago.
Football has been the main
topic of conversation in the
Dalmatian city’s cafés and bars
since RNK returned to the
premiere league last year after a
49-year absence, but like
Hajduk, they were then beaten
in the third group qualifying
round. The games aren’t the only
reason to visit Poljud Stadium
– the multi-purpose arena has an
unusual roof, which is shaped
like an opened mussel.
64—GW
F O O T B A L L
The football club tradition
and fans’ enthusiasm refl ect the
local character in the Adriatic
harbour city. Croatia’s second
largest city is dynamic and lively,
but not hectic. Life centres
around the Riva, the redeveloped
quayside, close by the Porta
Aenea of Diocletian’s Palace. The
Roman palace is also Split’s
historic centre, and was made a
UNESCO world heritage site in
1979. The former fortress is a
great place to just hang out in,
and also hosts concerts and plays.
Belgrade – footie frenzy
Once united under the
Yugoslavian fl ag, the Croats and
the Serbs have been playing
football separately for nearly 20
years. The national team only
offi cially began playing under
the name Serbia in 2006.
Serbia’s SuperLiga, the country’s
top football league, was also
re-established around that time.
The home of Serbian football is
Belgrade – nearly half of all clubs
come from the capital.
Top clubs Red Star and
Partizan Belgrade are the teams
most likely to qualify for the
Europa League Final in
Bucharest next year. Witnessing
the tension-fi lled derbies
between the two clubs is quite
an experience. Emotions run
high, and matches at the Red
Die Abenddämmerung verzaubert die
Stimmung an der Donau in Belgrad
Check out Belgrade’s football scene
then watch the sun set over the Danube
Star stadium – still known as
Marakana after the famous
Brazilian stadium – regularly
descend into pandemonium.
Afterwards, you can cool
down in the boat bars and hip
clubs moored on the banks of
the Sava and the Danube.
The tension-filled derbies between
Red Star and Partizan Belgrade
regularly descend into pandemonium
Complete your football weekend
in the Serbian capital by
checking out some of the city’s
historic buildings, such as the
Belgrade Fortress, or taking in
cultural highlights like the
Serbian National Museum and
the Serbian National Theatre.
Corbis