Every match between Zvezda and Obilić of Kumane attracted exceptional public interest, both in Novi Bečej and in Kumane. It is difficult today to fully convey the atmosphere surrounding those encounters, so we turn to the book “Reportaže” (Reportages) and present one contemporary match report that vividly illustrates the spirit of the time and the importance of this rivalry.
Cup Match in Novi Bečej, 21 May 1944
S.D. KUMANE (Kumane) – VSK ZVEZDA 2:3
Cup match
Line-ups:
S.D. Kumane: Dujin – Stojkov, M. Sekulić – Štetin, Mošorinski, Bošnjak – Cvetić, Popov, Kuldinov, Đukić – Gibar, S. Sekulić
VSK Zvezda: Vratan – Belić, Ivanić – Marković, Kovačev, Radivojević – Živić, Erdeljan, Sandić, Petrović, Ostojić
Venue: Turula ground, fairground area
Pitch: heavy, waterlogged and muddy
Weather: cloudy and windy, with intermittent showers
Attendance: approx. 3,500 spectators
Referee: Reljin
Goals: Đukić and Kuldinov (Kumane); Sandić, Petrović and Ostojić (Zvezda)
Before the Match
As early as Monday, 15 May, a large poster appeared in one of the most prominent shop windows in Kumane:
“ATTENTION SPORTS FANS! On Sunday, 21 May, a Cup match will be played in Novi Bečej: Obilić vs. Zvezda. Supporters’ departure in front of the municipal building at 1:30 PM.”
This was the first call of a rallying trumpet whose echo would be heard long after the event that stirred so many hearts. Throughout the entire week, preparations were feverish, and the shared motto of players, supporters and officials alike was clear and uncompromising:
“Zvezda must be beaten!”
This slogan spread persistently among everyone who had even the slightest understanding of football, creating a kind of collective frenzy that, on match day, burst forth on the pitch itself.
Supporters shouted at the top of their voices, regardless of the strain. Yet, after two precious points were lost, a soaked and disappointed procession of around 500 devoted fans returned home in silence, even more determined to seek revenge. The defeat was painful, but an even harsher realization followed: Zvezda had won more than deservedly, and the scoreline could have been even heavier.
The Course of the Match
Around 5 p.m., the small stands at the fairground were packed. The referee’s appearance was awaited with feverish impatience, while heavy clouds gathered above the pitch and the wind grew ever stronger. Nevertheless, the match began.
Zvezda immediately imposed its rhythm, and within the opening minutes Sandić twice provided Ostojić with excellent goal-scoring opportunities. However, in the fourth minute a violent gust of wind forced the referee to consider suspending play, and the match was resumed only after a break of about twenty minutes.
Afterwards, play became more balanced, with the players from Kumane displaying greater aggression, at times crossing the line into roughness. Kuldinov stood out in this respect. He cleverly scored the opening goal by challenging goalkeeper Vratan as he attempted to clear the ball, and then continued to play in the same manner, hoping for further success. Only after a minor incident did he somewhat calm down.
The opening goal delighted the home supporters, who pressed on in search of a second. A heavy downpour, however, disrupted everything. The pitch had to be vacated once again, and after a fifteen-minute pause the match continued in rain and deep mud. In such conditions, Zvezda gradually asserted its technical superiority, and before halftime Sandić equalized.
In the second half, the home side appeared more dominant, yet it was the visitors who took the lead. Once again, Kuldinov was involved, taking advantage of a goalkeeper’s mistake. Still, as time passed, Zvezda increasingly controlled the match. The home team avoided a heavier defeat only thanks to the extraordinary commitment of goalkeeper Dujin and Mošorinski in the centre-half position. According to the Kumane players themselves, the two of them prevented at least five or six certain goals.
Zvezda’s second and third goals were scored by Petrović and Ostojić, sealing the outcome of the match.
Impressions and Match Assessment
The match was not so much attractive as it was fiercely contested. Zvezda proved technically superior, while the opposition showed great toughness and persistence. Kumane played well overall, though the impression was marred by the unsportsmanlike behavior of certain individuals. The best players for the home side were Dujin and Mošorinski, while S. Sekulić on the wing delivered the weakest performance.
Zvezda displayed its true quality only in the second half. With a bit more luck, the victory could have been more convincing. The goals themselves testify to Zvezda’s superiority: Dujin conceded three fine goals following well-worked combinations, while Vratan allowed both goals due to mishandling the ball. The standout players for Zvezda were Sandić, Petrović and Ostojić in attack, and Ivanić in defense.
Referee Reljin showed a degree of bias in favor of Kumane and was not always up to the task, which further contributed to the roughness on the pitch.
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