WHEN SOKOLAC WAS A SMALL MONTEVIDEO

"Football is the most important unimportant thing in the world." This well-known phrase is often repeated. However, those who are passionate about this unique, dynamic, and unpredictable game would remove the word "unimportant." With that same sentiment, I begin this story—the story of when Sokolac was a small Montevideo.

The world football association, FIFA, was founded in 1904, but it took 26 years before it organized the first World Cup in 1930, held in Montevideo, Uruguay. Meanwhile, football was already rolling on every level field in our small town. Six years after that first World Cup, in 1936, the legendary football club Glasinac was founded. This small club produced great players, some of whom managed to compete on the international stage.

This story takes us back to the 1980s, a time when the "Bara" stadium, as it had many times before, hosted renowned names and prestigious clubs from the former Yugoslavia. In July 1986, Partizan played in Sokolac. A photograph from that match, preserved in the archive of our interviewee, stands as a testament to this brilliant moment in our club's history.

Glasinac vs. Partizan (1:4), Friendly Match, July 1986, "Bara" Stadium, Sokolac

Among the local players on the field that day was Željko Beatović, playing as a defender, who shared this story with us. He took us back to that scorching summer day, to the packed stands of the small city stadium.

"Every July 27th, there was an opportunity to host a big team. In 1986, we had the honor of playing against Partizan, which at the time had eight national team players from the former Yugoslavia. Even though it was a friendly match, the desire to win was still strong," Beatović began.

Partizan played with the following lineup: Omerović as goalkeeper, along with Đelmaš, Radanović, Vermezović, Đorđević, Vokri, Katanec, Župić, Stevanović, Đurovski, and Bajović. Representing Glasinac were: captain Milović, Marković, Zeković, Tomić, Cvijetić, Bašević, Muhić, Jolović, Knežević, Beatović, and Kruezi. At that time, Glasinac was coached by Dušan Kovačević and competed in the Regional League, South Group.

"In this photograph is Predrag Tomić, who tragically lost his life in the recent war, and our then-captain, Mirko (Risto) Milović, who passed away recently. He was the oldest player, not just in age but in attitude and behavior. He wore the captain’s armband deservedly. We remember his incredible endurance during runs and the responsibility that came with being a captain. He led us in everything, a true leader. The rest of our team can testify to the beautiful memories of Glasinac and a time when both life and football were cherished more."

Returning to the match against Partizan, to the delight of thousands of fans, Glasinac was the first to score. However, despite the strong start, Partizan showcased its superiority by scoring four goals, ending the match with a 4-1 victory.

Our interviewee, Beatović, dedicated a decade of his life to football. He joined Glasinac's first team while still in high school, and besides this match, many other unforgettable football moments remain in his memory.

"We had devoted fans who loved Glasinac with all their hearts. They never hesitated to travel by bus to support us, to be our twelfth player. Their dedication was incredible."

As a youth player, Beatović played in different positions, even wearing the captain’s armband. He unexpectedly spent the longest time as a defender, which was not planned. This change came as a result of an injury to the renowned Anđelko Tešan, who was brought in as reinforcement but was unable to play.

"Tešan was an outstanding right-back, who played for FK Sarajevo for a decade and was also a Yugoslav national team player. Our team was in crisis, facing relegation, and he was supposed to be an important addition. When he got injured, we lost a key player in that position. Upon the coach’s suggestion, I took over his role," Beatović explained.

Football changed, just as the stories written at "Bara" stadium evolved. In the decades that followed, stagnation and decline affected everything, including this sport.

"The enthusiasm and dedication that existed for years have disappeared. I remember we had bonuses, and even training sessions were paid for. But football wasn’t just about money. The attitude towards the game was different. We played with more passion, and the fans appreciated it. Playing in front of the Sokolac audience was a unique feeling. Today, the very rules have somewhat suffocated football. There is a lot of money involved, but the soul of the game has been lost, especially in small towns, where football matches were once true celebrations."

One year, Beatović’s exam schedule coincided with the training camp of FK Glasinac. While he didn’t mention whether he passed the exam, he did tell us that after taking the test, he spent two days traveling to Vela Luka, Croatia, where his team was preparing for upcoming challenges. He passed the test of friendship and loyalty with flying colors. Speaking of loyalty, his support for Partizan has always been unwavering, passed down through generations in his family.

Source: Infocentar.ba / Written by: Bojana Marković