Partizan lead Belgrade resistance

By Aleksandar Boskovic

It has taken over ten seasons, but with FK Partizan's shock win against Newcastle United FC in the third qualifying round, Serbia and Montenegro finally has a team in the UEFA Champions League group phase.

Belgrade calling
It was only twelve years ago that Partizan's local rivals FK Crvena Zvezda lifted the European Champion Clubs' Cup, but since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, the Belgrade giants have not flourished on the highest stage.

Famous names
While Partizan struggled to regain their footing in the new-look Europe, former players like Predrag Mijatovic, Mateja Kezman, Savo Milosevic, Danko Lazovic and Zvonimir Vukic flew the flag for the club elsewhere.

'Our dream'
However, having led Partizan into the Champions League, German coach Lothar Matthäus is convinced the whole country will now get behind them. "This was our dream," he said. "Not only for Partizan - it was a national dream. Serbia and Montenegro deserves a place in the top competition."

Military past
Founded in October 1945, Partizan's long association with the Yugoslav military earned them the nickname 'army club'. Many senior generals and political figures, including Franjo Tudjman, the first president of Croatia, held positions at the club before they modernised in recent years.

Glorious past
While Crvena Zvezda remain the most popular Serbo-Montenegrin team, Partizan have always been strong competitors, winning 18 national titles and nine domestic cups. Their best run in Europe saw them beaten 2-1 by Real Madrid CF in the 1966 European Cup final.

Recent dominance
Latterly, under Matthäus's predecessor Ljubisa Tumbakovic, Partizan have been dominant at home, winning five titles since the 1995/96 season. With his disciplined style, the brilliant Tumbakovic paved the way for Matthäus's success before leaving the club in December 2002.

'One step further'
Tumbakovic had taken Partizan close to the group stage before, as Partizan director and former national team striker Nenad Bjekovic remembered. "We have been successful after three failed attempts," he said. "Now we are ready to go one step further."

Familiar faces
While they remain an unknown quantity for their opponents in Group F - Madrid, Olympique de Marseille and FC Porto - there are familiar faces in their squad. Goalkeeper Ivica Kralj and veteran midfield player Ljubinko Drulovic are former Porto players, while Nigerian defender Taribo West has represented several top clubs.

Unknown quantity
Elsewhere, Partizan boast international defenders Nikola Malbasa and Milivoje Cirkovic, experienced captain Sasa Ilic in midfield and promising strikers in Andrija Delibasic and Ivica Iliev. "We are strong in all positions and we have great hopes for the future," said Bjekovic.

Major departures
That they are in such rude health is all the more surprising since they parted company with their two best players in the summer. Zvonimir Vukic and Danko Lazovic left for FC Shakhtar Donetsk and Feyenoord respectively, but for the moment at least, they have not been missed.

'We will be a surprise'
As for their hopes for the Champions League, Matthäus is bullishly confident. "Someone said that having got this far it is not important what we do in group stage," he said. "That is not true. I feel that if we hit top form, we will be a surprise at European level."

Ready to fight
Having waited over a decade to pit their wits against the best in Europe, Matthäus and his men are primed for a real battle. "Now, we do not want to speak too much," said Ilic. "We will do our talking on the pitch."