the Serbs hold on to a draw in an unhealthy context

Eighteen months after approaching its World Cup match against the Nati in turmoil, following an infidelity scandal within its selection, Serbia presented itself on Thursday at the Euro with the prospect of a general withdrawal , after having had to deal with criticism from Dusan Tadic towards his coach. Trailing, they finally obtained a 1-1 draw against Slovenia in the final moments.

Dusan Vlahovic and his teammates entered the pitch at the Allianz Arena on Thursday shortly before 3 p.m., with the pressure of the result. Beaten by England 1-0 on the first day of the Euro, the Serbs had to take points against Slovenia having held on to Denmark on Sunday (1-1). This part could undermine this quality squad or allow it to build a great adventure. A turning point.

But the Eagles weren’t just overwhelmed by pressure as they left the tunnel. They wondered if this match against Slovenia was not already Serbia’s last in the tournament, while they still have to play at least one match against Denmark next Tuesday.

A few hours before kick-off, the manager warned UEFA. Or rather, threatened her. Serbia is thus ready to withdraw. To leave the competition without playing its final match in the group stage, if the body does not firmly sanction the events that occurred on Wednesday in the 59th minute of Croatia-Albania, when the supporters of these two Balkan nations chanted:

“What happened is scandalous and we are demanding sanctions from UEFA, even if that means not continuing the competition,” Jovan Surbatovic told the Serbian Radio and Television. “We demand that UEFA punish the federations of the two selections. We don’t want to be part of this, but if UEFA doesn’t punish them, we will have to think about how we proceed,” he added.

Surbatovic nevertheless has confidence in the body. He highlights the recent exclusion of Arlind Sadiku from the tournament. A Kosovar journalist who, during Serbia-England on Sunday, mimed the double-headed eagle in front of the red and white stand. A strong gesture, which symbolizes the oppression of the Albanian people by Serbia.

We were talking about it here ⬇️

Jovan Surbatovic’s pre-match statements follow other incidents that appeared during this Euro, some of which earned the Serbian Football Federation sanctions. She has just received a fine of €14,500 from UEFA, due to the behavior of her supporters during the match against England. “Throwing of objects” and the broadcasting of a “provocative message unsuitable for a sporting event” were punished. It is believed to be a flag linked to a paramilitary group engaged in ethnic cleansing during the Yugoslav wars. UEFA also launched an investigation into allegations of racism during the same match against the English.

These convictions, however, did not stop Eagles fans from taking notice. After the Albanian flags were burned last weekend, they chanted on Thursday at Marienplatz in Munich “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” in response to Croatian and Albanian provocations.

So much for geopolitics. From a sporting point of view, the comments of the general secretary of the Serbian Football Federation come after those unexpected ones, coming from another Serb: Dusan Tadic. The Fenerbahçe striker openly criticized the choices of his coach Dragan Stojkovic after starting the match against England on the bench.

A heavy situation, reminiscent of that of the 2022 World Cup. Dusan Vlahovic was then accused of an affair with the wife of goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic. For her part, Nemanda Gudelj was accused of having had a relationship with Luka Jovic’s partner. A conflict in the locker room was even mentioned, before the Serbian Federation intervened to put out the fire. These are actually just rumors.

It is therefore in this particular context that the Serbs approached the already decisive meeting against Slovenia. On the field, after a more conquering start to the match compared to that against England, Serbia let their opponent express themselves. Slovenian Timi Max Elšnik created the best chance of the first half. His powerful shot from a one-two hit Predrag Rajković’s post.

Serbia, however, had chances throughout the game, but too often came up against an excellent Jan Oblak, and it was Slovenia who ended up opening the scoring in the 69th minute. The full-back Zan Karnicnik came to finish a cross on which the red and white defense was far too lax. Finally, the Serbs came back to the score at the very end of the match. A final corner and Luka Jovic headed the point for a draw for his team. Serbia is still alive in Group C, despite this context against a backdrop of historical tensions and internal difficulties. There is nothing healthy about this. She will nevertheless play her qualification for the round of 16 on Tuesday against Denmark. Unless, of course, the leaders decide otherwise.

Forced to polish Portugal’s bench at the World Cup, while he was without a club, Ronaldo, 39, seems to be able to play a completely different role at the Euro. He arrives in Germany confident, revived by Roberto Martinez. All this, with a game that has evolved greatly. The Lusitanian adapts to what he is still capable of producing and to the needs of his selection. First meeting Tuesday at 9 p.m. against Czechia.

We left Cristiano Ronaldo – in a major tournament – in tears in the tunnel, after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat against Morocco, in the quarter final of the Qatari World Cup. An extremely striking image, at least as much as the one against the Nati. The Portuguese had not been started, an earthquake that photographers from all over the world sought to immortalize, gathered in front of the Lusitanian bench.