Football 7: Serbia at the World Championship in Brazil – Small Football, Big Struggles and Ambitions
Imagine this: Serbia, a country famous for football, is now gearing up to step into the world of Football 7, a sport that is literally exploding worldwide! Yes, you read that right – small football with seven players per team, no offsides, on a field just a bit larger than half a standard football pitch. And not only that, our country will debut at the World Championship in Brazil, one of the biggest football events of the year, from August 20 to 25!
Captain from Southern Serbia Leads the Eagles to the Mundial
At the helm of this new national team is futsal legend from Vranje, Igor Stojanović, known as Žike. A man who has dedicated his entire life to futsal in his city, leading his club to cup finals and Serbian league semifinals, now wears the captain’s armband and leads Serbia at this major tournament. Žike and his team are a true mix of football and futsal, with players from Smederevo, Kruševac, Banja Luka, and other places, including former Red Star stars like Damir Kahriman and Peđa Sikimić.
Football 7 – The Sport Conquering the Balkans and the World
Football 7 is a sport growing at an insane pace, not just in Serbia but across Europe and the world. The rules are simple: a 52×36 meter field, 5-meter goals, six players per team (including the goalkeeper), two halves of 25 minutes each, and – no offsides! This sport is perfect for veterans and recreational players, and in Serbia, veterans’ tournaments for players over 35 hungry for the game and camaraderie are already organized.
Financial Woes and the Fight for Sponsors
But, as always, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The team faces huge financial problems. The Football 7 federation is not under the Serbian Football Association’s patronage, so everything is organized independently, meaning money for the trip to the World Championship in Brazil is a real headache. Costs for 17 people, including tickets, accommodation, and preparation organization, are around 40-50 thousand euros. Although people from the diaspora in Italy and other countries have helped as much as they could, sponsor support is still needed.
Preparations and Ambitions
The national team is just at the beginning of its journey. So far, they have played only one official match – beating Slovenia 3:2 in Trieste. Ahead are more preparations and friendly matches, including a game against Italy, the world vice-champion, whose captain is Serie A legend Antonio Di Natale. Ambitions? As Žike says, results will be talked about on the go, as the team is new and time for preparation is short.
Futsal as a Love and Life Calling
For Igor Stojanović, futsal is not just a sport but a part of life. Although he now leads Football 7, he still misses futsal. He points out that today, sport is more about business and money, and less about emotion and love for the game. His story started late, but through enthusiasm and love, he managed to raise the club in Vranje to top results, including cup finals and league semifinals.
Conclusion: Small Football, Big Stories, and Even Bigger Struggles
Serbia stands on the threshold of a new sporting chapter. Football 7 is a chance to show ourselves on the world stage but also a test for organization, finances, and passion for the game. Will our guys manage to overcome all obstacles and bring home a medal or at least respect? We’ll see in Brazil. Meanwhile, if you have a sponsor coin or just a kind word, you know where to send it.
And hey, if you think this is just another sports project, remember – this is a story about people who love football so much they are ready to fight against all odds. What do you think about Football 7? Is it the future or just a passing trend? Drop a comment, let’s see who’s in and who’s out!
This text is based solely on information from available sources and contains no fabrications.
