When Kim Madar enters the Pioneer Hall (named after Alexander Nikolic) tonight (Sunday), to play in the eighth round of the Adriatic League between the Red Star and the Belgrade partisan, he will encounter an experience he has never encountered and probably will not encounter in the future, of course. During his time in the group in black and white.
Some 8,000 fanatical and hostile Red Star fans will fill the smoky stands, providing an electrifying atmosphere that few world-class sporting events can compete with.
"For me, the Belgrade derby is the biggest derby in Europe, more so than the Athens derby," said Zofi Abdia, now the professional manager of Bnei Herzliya, and in the 1980s one of the key players of the Red Star.
Abdia played for the Serbian team between 1980 and 1990, and participated in about twenty derbies.
"The Belgrade derby is bigger than anything you can experience. Everything at great intensities, great madness. It's a game for life, and the result doesn't matter. The fans don't matter if the team is leading or is behind. Whoever wasn't there can't understand what it is."
Zofi Abdia.
"Whoever was not there can not understand what it is", Photo: Alan Shiber,
Abdia, who knows the partisan's young coordinator (20) and his son Danny's good friend well, advises: "It's true that this is an atmosphere he has not yet experienced, but it should be remembered that he has been through the Tel Aviv derbies, which are also hot games.
He does not arrive without preparation at all, and also experiences already in his short period in the partisan hot and crowded games.
Therefore, he needs to enjoy the atmosphere, play quietly and with concentration and know that this is a great experience that will stay with him for the rest of his career.
It's a game not to be forgotten.
I envy him for not participating in this game. "
Anyone who is still well acquainted with the crazy atmosphere in the big game, and also Madar, is Gal Makal.
The captain of the Israeli national team played for the Red Star in 2015/16 and experienced the charged game up close.
"An electrifying atmosphere. This game is a carnival, just like a rock show. When you play in this hall, in a derby, you feel the ground moving. It's the hottest derby in Europe. A rivalry that is hard to describe, the fans live for this game."
Stick, who went through the major leagues in Europe and also played in the NBA, coped well with the pressure and atmosphere, and in one of the derby games he excelled with 12 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds, leading his team to a prestigious victory.
From his experience, he advises his teammate in the Israeli team: "With all due respect to the Tel Aviv derby, this is something completely different.
It's a game that if you're good - the fans will always remember you.
Play without fear, have fun and devour the field. "
Gal Mekel.
He was there too, Photo: Getty Images
"Sea should stay calm"
Dushko "Dotsi" Markovich, the fitness coach of Hapoel Jerusalem, worked as the fitness coach of the Red Star only last season.
"Nothing is like the Belgrade derby," he says as one who has worked for the Serbian national team and other major teams in Europe, such as Alba Berlin, Locomotive Cuban and the Czech national team, and has moved on to other industries, holding perspective for major sporting events.
"Two great rivals playing in front of an amazing crowd, with very good players on both sides. All the things, all the emotions, the rivalry and the fans make this game the biggest of them all. Even when there were no fans on the field because of the Corona, the feature was felt all over This is proof of how great this game is.
Dushko Markowitz.
"Yam Madar has a great right to be a part of it," Photo: Berni Ardov,
"In the first derby, I felt very honored to be part of this team, which is part of me all my life and part of my family. I was very emotional and goal-oriented to win, and to my joy that's what happened," the Serb continues, "Yam Madar needs to stay calm and focused. "And he's going to play against the Red Star fans, which is very difficult. This is the first time there has been a derby since Zeljko Oberdovic returned to the partisan, so everything is even more special in this derby. He has a great privilege to be a part of it."
Joe Ragland, star of Hapoel Holon, shares his personal experiences from the 2018/19 season, when he played for Kochav.
In the three derby games in the league, Legland averaged 14.3 points and won, but lost in the cup.
"This is the biggest rivalry I have been in, because of the history between the teams, the tradition and the fans," says the player, who has also participated in big games in Turkey, Russia and Italy, and explains the uniqueness.
Ragland.
Played for the Red Star in the 18/19 season, Photo: Danny Maron,
"The historical value and the political parties behind the teams make this game special. They also compete for a single place in the Euroleague, so in general it is important for them to win the championship, and many times the derby games are the ones that decide the championship.
" The atmosphere is amazing, chaotic.
Unbelievable.
I experienced both a win and a loss, and I realized how important this is to the fans.
"It almost borders on violence, the fans are attacking each other and there are hundreds of policemen, so there is a lot of pressure around it."
Regland also has a tip for a young player who has experienced such an event for the first time in his career: "Do what you are used to and be yourself, be calm. Make sure you are focused and in control of your emotions."
