The Oasis of Normality or Sad Image of Reality? Football in the Occupied Serbia (1941-1944) Cover Image

Оаза нормалности или тужна слика стварности? Фудбал у окупираној Србији (1941-1944)
The Oasis of Normality or Sad Image of Reality? Football in the Occupied Serbia (1941-1944)

Author(s): Dejan Zec
Subject(s): History
Published by: Udruženje za društvenu istoriju
Keywords: World War II; Serbia; football; occupation

Summary/Abstract: In spite of the war, capitulation of the state and German occupation, football life had been continued quite quickly. Restoration of competitive and friendly matches was initiated by the members of succesful pre-war clubs (especcialy BSKand SK Jugoslavija), but also by the people from the new government, both German and collaborators, as they intended to create a resemblance of normality. However, despite the best wishes, the circumstances were extremely serious: majority of football clubs had suffered waste material loss, stadiums were damaged and the equipment stollen. Problems with stadiums were partly resolved during 1942 and 1943, to the necessary extent. Big problem of the clubs was status of their members: some died, and some were imprisoned. This problem was partly solved by engaging new players among sportist - refugees, who had left Independent State of Croatia, and the territories under Hungarian, Bulgarian or Albanian occupation. The authorities had cleansed the sport clubs from «undesirable elements»: Jews, Roma, communists (in particular many workers' sporting associations, which were tied with Communist Party and SKOJ were under special preassure). Despite all efforts and obvious desire, during whole occupation period (1941-1944), football institutions had failed to organize a state tournament, mostly due to instability and insecurity, due to the uprising throughout the occupied territory, which unabled communication, and also because of poverty in which people lived and worked.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 49-70
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Serbian