During the return match of the 1/16 finals of the Europa League, fans of Belgrade soccer club Red Star staged a performance, unfolding an icon of the revered in Serbia St. Simeon of Myrotochivoy, Logos Press reports.
The match between Crvena Zvezda and French Lille (0:2, 1:2 on aggregate of two matches) took place on the day of veneration of Simeon of Myrotoch (in the world Prince Stefan I of the Nemanjić dynasty) among Serbian fans. The icon unfurled in one of the stands of the Rajko Mitic Stadium was accompanied by an inscription addressed to the players of the home team: “May our faith lead you to victory”.
The spiritual counselor did not help
Despite the presence of such a powerful spiritual attribute, the Belgrade Red Army lost the two matches by a combined score of 1-2. The support of more than 46,000 fans present at the stadium did not help either.
The decisive goal in extra time was scored by French club player Nathan Ngoy. As a result of the draw, held at the UEFA headquarters determined and the opponent of the winners in the 1/8 finals of the tournament. “Dogs” from Lille will have to play with one of the leaders of the English Premier League – “Aston Villa” from Birmingham. The first match will be held on the field of the French club.
Skilled at organizing performances
Crvena Zvezda fans often become objects of attention thanks to the performances they organize at the club’s home stadium. Last weekend, for example, they staged a fireworks show at the match against one of the main rivals in the Serbian Super League, Partizan (3-0). In response, those also lit pyrotechnics, which led to a fire in their stand. The game was stopped, and firefighters came to extinguish the fire.
“Crvena Zvezda” is the most titled Serbian club. It was founded in 1945.
It is the only club from Serbia to win the European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup (both in 1991). It also won the UEFA Cup, the predecessor of the Europa League, in 1979.
