The young Serbian national team, known as the "Orlići," kicked off their campaign at the European Championship for under-19 players with a match against Italy on June 16, 2025, in Wales. The game took place in Kernevan, one of the host cities of the tournament, and marked the beginning of a challenging journey for the squad led by coach Gordana Petrić. Despite being significantly weakened due to the absence of several key players—such as Maksimović, Cvetković, Kostov, Bačanin, Avdić, and Veljko Milosavljević—the team was determined to make its mark on the international stage.
The selection process had been difficult, as the coaching staff was forced to assemble a lineup without half of their ideal starting XI. However, the remaining players were described as possessing considerable quality and valuable experience from domestic competitions. This group included several promising talents who have already made names for themselves in senior football. Goalkeepers Vuk Draškić and Lazar Balević, both established figures in the Serbian league, were among the first names on the list. Defenders such as Strahinja Stojković, Ahmed Hadžimujović, Nikola Simić, and Andrej Pavlović formed a solid defensive backbone, while forwards Aleksa Damjanović and Srđan Borovina added attacking flair.
The tactical setup emphasized creativity, discipline, and speed. Midfielders like Jovan Milosavljević, who recently joined Swedish club Malme, and Vasilije Novičić, the young captain of IMT, were expected to control the tempo of play. Wing-backs such as Luka Zarić, Jovan Ćirić, Bogdan Kostić, and Đorđe Ranković were highlighted for their pace and unpredictability. The attack would rely heavily on the duo of Damjanović and Borovina, whose contrasting styles—Damjanović’s technical precision and Borovina’s physicality—were seen as assets in high-pressure situations.
Despite the lack of star power, the team was portrayed as battle-ready and ready to fight until the end. Coach Petrić, who had previously spoken about the importance of adaptation to the conditions of the tournament, emphasized that his players were prepared for the challenges ahead. He acknowledged the difficulty of facing Italy, a team with extensive experience in final tournaments, but expressed confidence in his squad's ability to perform under pressure.
The match itself was set to begin at 17:00 local time, with live coverage available via the Arena Sport 4 Premium channel and a live blog on Sportissimo.rs. Fans could also follow updates through the official channels of the media outlets, including Kurir and Večernje novosti, which provided detailed reports and analysis leading up to the game.
In addition to the matchday information, there were broader discussions surrounding the tournament itself. Petrić noted the significance of qualifying for the final stages, highlighting how all seven teams that had advanced to the finals—including the host nation Wales—had faced tough competition during the qualifiers. He praised the level of play in each group, emphasizing that none had been easy, and stressed the responsibility of coaches to guide their teams effectively throughout the tournament.
Looking ahead, the Orlići were scheduled to face Croatia and Ukraine in subsequent matches, with the second round of Group B taking place in Bangor. The tournament promised to be a test of resilience and skill, and the Serbian team, though understaffed, carried the hopes of fans back home. As they stepped onto the pitch in Kernevan, the young players would carry the weight of expectation, knowing that their performance could shape the future of Serbian youth football.
5 reports
RepublikaParty-alignedCenteryesterdayThe under-19 Serbian national football team lost to Ukraine 2-1 in their second group stage match at the European Championship, significantly reducing their chances of advancing to the semifinals. Serbia took an early lead through Đorđe Ranković’s goal in the 16th minute, but Ukraine equalized shortly after halftime via Vitali Gljut, who scored both goals for Ukraine. The decisive moment came just four minutes apart, with Gljut scoring again to give Ukraine a 2-1 advantage. Despite several attempts by Serbia, including another shot from Ranković and a close chance from Luka Zarić, they failed to equalize. The loss leaves Serbia needing a strong performance against Croatia in their final group match to maintain hopes of progressing further in the tournament.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports event without any political implications. It provides a factual account of the match results, player performances, and the implications for Serbia’s progression in the tournament. There is no indication of ideological leaning or biased framing toward any political or党
KurirParty-alignedCenteryesterdayThe under-19 football team of Serbia lost 1:2 to Ukraine in their second group match at the European Championship for young players in Wales. Serbia took an early lead through a goal by Đorđe Ranković in the 16th minute, but Ukraine quickly turned the game around with goals in the 32nd and 37th minutes by Hjut. Despite efforts to regain control, Serbia failed to score again, leaving them without points after two matches. With this loss, Serbia now occupies the fourth position in the group without any points, eliminating them from contention for the semifinals. Ukraine leads the group with six points. Serbia will face Croatia in their final group match.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports match between national under-19 teams, focusing solely on the game's progression, scoring, and implications for tournament standings. There is no political commentary, framing, or emphasis on political issues. The content is purely descriptive of the event.
Večernje novostiParty-alignedCenter4 days agoThe under-17 Serbian national football team lost their opening match at the European Championship in Wales to Italy with a score of 0:2 (0:1). Despite being equal after conceding a goal in the first half, Serbia struggled to create significant chances throughout the game. Italy took an early lead through a penalty scored by Liberali in the 11th minute, and extended their advantage with a goal from Idrisu in the 75th minute. The article highlights concerns over Serbia's performance, noting they failed to generate meaningful opportunities despite moments of pressure. The match was played at the Oval stadium, with referee Florijan Badštubner from Germany overseeing the game. Serbia will face Ukraine in their next match on July 2nd.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports event without any political framing or ideological slant. It presents the match results, player actions, and future fixtures objectively, focusing solely on the athletic competition.
RepublikaParty-alignedCenter4 days ago SERBIA, EVERYTHING WITH "Eagles": Petrić has selected 11 heroes for the attack on the European Championship!The article reports on the upcoming match between the under-19 Serbian national football team and Italy at the European Championship in Wales. The team, led by coach Gordana Petrić, faces challenges due to the absence of several key players but remains optimistic about their performance. The article highlights the squad's strengths, including experienced players who have already made an impact in senior leagues. It mentions specific players such as captain Nikola Simić, goalkeeper Vuk Draškić, and others, emphasizing their potential to contribute to the team's success. The article also notes the team's preparation and readiness for the competition.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a sports event and does not present any politically charged content. It provides a balanced overview of the team's situation, highlighting both challenges and strengths without taking a clear ideological stance.
Večernje novostiParty-alignedCenter5 days ago SELEKTOR SRBIJE PRED START EP: "Ova utakmica je posebna"!Gordan Petrić, selektor omladinske fudbalske reprezentacije Srbije, izjavio je da očekuje tešku utakmicu protiv Italije u prvom kolu grupe B na Evropskom prvenstvu (U19) u Velsu. Petrić je naglasio važnost prilagodbe igrača nakon dugog perioda odmora i predsezone, kao i pripreme za turnir. Iako smatra da je termin turnira neobičan, rekao je da je njegov tim spremn za sve utakmice. Takođe je komentario značaj plasmana na završni turnir, navodeći da su sve sedam kvalifikovanih ekipa pokazale visok nivo igre. Prvi meč Srbije protiv Italije odigravit će se sutra u Kernarfonu, dok će Hrvatska i Ukrajina igrati u Bangoru.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses solely on a sports event—the upcoming match between Serbia's under-19 football team and Italy at the European Championship. There is no political commentary, framing, or bias evident in the content. The focus is purely on the sport, the players' preparation, and the significance
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