The winners’ trophy in the hands of the hosts

Last weekend, Sivac was all about handball, as the local handball club “Sivac 69” hosted the 16th annual “Vlade and Novak” Memorial Tournament, which the people of Sivac organize in memory of their two tragically killed members, Vlade Džuver and Novak Stijepović. Alongside the hosts, “Sivac 69”, the memorial tournament featured Super B League sides Vrbas and Crvenka, as well as First League team Hercegovac from Gajdobra.

The tournament opened on Saturday with an address by Kula Mayor Damjan Miljanić, who said he was honored to open such a handball gathering. Crvenka and Hercegovac from Gajdobra had the honor of opening the tournament on the court. Although they led 20:16 at halftime, Crvenka’s handball players secured their place in the final only by winning the penalty shootout, 39:38, after regular time ended in a 37:37 draw. Next, hosts Sivac 69 faced Vrbas. Sivac 69 won 27:23, although the young Vrbas players had led 13:11 at halftime. On Sunday, the second day of the tournament, Vrbas and Hercegovac played for third place. Vrbas claimed a 40:21 victory to take third place, while Hercegovac finished fourth. In the final, an encounter between two Super B League sides, hosts Sivac 69 were the better team and deservedly beat Crvenka 36:33, with the halftime score at 21:13, to lift the winners’ trophy, presented by the Handball Association of Vojvodina. After the final, the awards were presented by Katarina Čabarkapa and Ivana Trklja, the young daughters of the sisters of the late Novak and Vlade, in whose memory the tournament was organized. All participating teams received certificates; “Sivac 69” received the winners’ trophy; and the individual awards also went to Sivac players: Marko Maksimović was named best goalkeeper, while Marko Čabai was named best player and top scorer of the “Vlade and Novak” Memorial Tournament, scoring 21 goals in two matches.

Hajduk’s footballers disappointed, losing 1:0 at home to Dinamo from Pančevo in the third round of the Serbian League, Vojvodina Group. The visitors deserved their victory, as they outplayed Hajduk in every aspect of the game, especially in the first half. Only some outstanding saves by young goalkeeper Drinčić kept the hosts within one goal at halftime. In the second half, the home side had chances to equalize, but Dinamo’s footballers had better opportunities to extend their lead, and on balance they deservedly take the points back to Pančevo. Hajduk are seventh in the standings with 4 points, and in the next round they visit Stari Grad in Bačka Palanka

Our representatives in the Sombor District League, where Crvenka, Rusin from Ruski Krstur and Lipar compete, were also unsuccessful. Rusin lost 4:0 at home in Ruski Krstur to Radnički from Ratkovo. Crvenka and Lipar were also away and both recorded defeats. Crvenka lost 2:1 to Polet in Karavukovo. After Crvenka players’ mistakes, the home side took a 2:0 lead in the first half. Crvenka played better in the second half and attacked, but could only reduce the deficit with a goal from Babić. Lipar lost 4:1 away to Budućnost in Parage. Lipar’s consolation goal was scored by Nestorović. After three rounds of the championship, Crvenka are tenth and Rusin twelfth with 3 points, while Lipar are fifteenth with one point. The next round features a local derby: Crvenka will face Rusin from Ruski Krstur in Crvenka, while Lipar will host Budućnost from Gložan.

The second round of the Sombor Intermunicipal League First Division championship has been played. Kula’s footballers gave their fans reason to celebrate: after losing at home in the first round, they beat Zadrugar 4:1 away in Srpski Miletić in the second. Husak scored twice for Kula, with Popović and Licemberger scoring one each. Polet drew 3:3 with Aleksa Šantić in Sivac; the halftime score was 1:1. Polet’s scorers were Romić from the penalty spot, Vukašinović and Furtula. Experienced Radomir Romić had a chance to score twice, but missed a second penalty. Mladost beat Dunav from Bački Monoštor 3:0 in Kruščić. Darko Grdinić scored twice for Mladost, and Milan Medojević scored once. Polet are currently fifth in the standings with 4 points, while Kula are seventh and Mladost ninth, each with 3 points. In the next round, Kula host BSK from Bački Brestovac at the Geder, Polet visit Dunav in Bački Monoštor, and Mladost from Kruščić visit Omladinac in Deronje.

The past sports weekend was also marked by a match between veterans of Belgrade’s Red Star football club and Lipar, played in Lipar on Friday as part of the celebration of the village feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and the centenary of Lipar’s founding. The Belgrade team came to enhance the celebration, led by legends Miloš Šestić, Stanislav Karasi, Zdravko Borovnica, Nedeljko Milosavljević, Miloš Bursać, Nenad Vanić and others, and were welcomed by Lipar legends Veso Kokotović, Mirko Kovač, Đurika Sabo, Vidak Radulović, Milivoje Ćetković, Miroslav Zrakić and others.

The occasion was used to give individuals well-deserved recognition for their contributions to the development of football in Lipar. Club plaques were presented posthumously to teacher Đorđe—Đoka Mileusnić, Radoslav Barišić, Stanko Matić, veterinarian Dragan Nikolić, Svetozar Bukvić, Đorđe Kovač, Dragomir Dejanović, teacher Miloš—Mile Njegovan, and Veljko Zrakić—Keri. Their descendants accepted the plaques, and a plaque for contributions to the development of Football Club Lipar was also awarded to our celebrated wrestler Davor Štefanek, president of the Sports Association of Serbia. Although the score is always secondary in exhibition matches, let the record show that Red Star’s veterans beat Lipar’s veterans 5:1, and that Milivoje Ćetković scored Lipar’s consolation goal.

Đ. Bojanić