American football in Serbia

Keying on the Americans

Brandon McDowell, Jordan Green, John D. Harper, Tony Stubbs, Reuben Droughns gathered their talent, skills, tricks and everything else that they collected during years of experience and playing. This golden pile was passed on Belgrade cubs making thus "Wolves" unbeatable opponent


By LJILJANA SAMARDŽIĆ (ljiljana.samardzic@wavemagazine.net)
from Sombor, SERBIA


The first American football club in Serbia - Legionaries from Sremska Mitrovica - was founded in 2001. Starting and developing new, unfamiliar sport in Serbia was hard job to do, and, according to some players, it still remains so due to serious financial issues in the country. Desire, willingness, motivation and eagerness are main bollards of American football clubs' existence in Serbia.

According to Predrag Mandic, one of the founders of "Celtis" from Sombor, almost every weekend a new club is being established. Popularity of new sport is also confirmed by Goran Nisavic, the president of Belgrade "Wolves", who says: "I have to mention that "Wolves" in Central European Football League (CEFL) are watched on television in eight countries, which certifies about this sport's popularity not only in Serbia, but in other countries as well."

New season 2010 has been opened and Sombor "Celtis" got their very first victory playing against "Legionaries". According to Predrag Mandic, Sombor club is facing very difficult financial situation and they are lacking professional guidelines as well. However, they managed to defeat experienced "Legionaries" and thus open new season with big W (win). Last year they were pretty much satisfied with third place, but what are their expectations for new, upcoming season?

With hearts on the field

- In this season some our players are members of other clubs, but we have new ones who still need to be trained. We started with win against skilled team from Sremska Mitrovica. I don't know if we are going to repeat the last season score, but we are, as I always like to say, going to play with our hearts on the field - says Mandic.

In upcoming game with mighty Belgrade "Wolves" they are going to play for victory. However, one of their main aims will be toughening new players. "We are going to fight, to work out some new actions and moves and surprise "Wolves" on our field", says Mandic for WAVE magazine.

Wolves got new stars

American players are rushing into Serbia and on Serbian fields to show their best. Belgrade "Wolves" seems to be lucky enough to have enviable financial situation to afford original American experience in their team. Are they going to be unbeatable just as last year with McDowell and Green? With alleged skills of Tony Stubbs and guidance of John D. Harper and his new assistant Reuben Droughns it certainly seems that in Serbian national league "Wolves" has no serious obstacles on their victory path. Last year they literally blew away their competitors.

Tony Stubbs plays defensive back and receiver. Until 2008 he played for the Florida "Firecats" in Arena 2 league, and in 2003 and 2004 he was a starter at Kansas University's "Jayhawks" team. Reuben Droughns, who used to be running back in New York champion "Giants" generation, is not active player any more and he came to Europe with wish to start new career as a coach.

Mr. Nisavic recalls how it was just few years before: "When I joined "Wolves" in 2005 there were 20 to 30 members training in park. I was instantly attracted by motivation of these men. It was January, snowing and instead in locker rooms they were changing their clothes under a tree. I was also highly surprised by talent which few men had shown that day. Their profiles were also amazing - majority was students and education of players is essential for successfulness of any sport."

In few years American football has succeeded to expand and earn immense popularity in Serbia. There are still lot of people who don't know that we have this kind of sport "on the menu" and those who can't tell the difference between American football and rugby. "I'm not satisfied with media coverage of this sport, although that has been changing very quickly. Four years ago, when I made first contacts with media, many thought of me as a lunatic and today journalists are the ones who are contacting us with desire to be informed", concludes Mr. Nisavic.



(Published: 10.04.2010.)