Crvena's cup of joy

FK Crvena Zvezda put behind them the disappointment of losing out on the Yugoslavian title to arch-rivals FK Partizan by lifting the Yugoslavian Cup after a 1-0 win over FK Sartid tonight.

Pjanovic header
Appropriately Wednesday's match was played on the eleventh anniversary of the day that Crvena Zvezda were crowned European champions. Striker Mihajlo Pjanovic scored the only goal of the game after 20 minutes, heading into the Sartid net from a Marjan Markovic free-kick. It was the 19th domestic cup success in Crvena's history - on the eleventh anniversary of the night they won the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

Championship aim
"We have succeeded in winning the Cup and save the season," Crvena Zvezda coach Zoran Filipovic said. "In this match we did not show too many extravagant moves, but we were better in all aspects. With this Cup we have continued winning at least one national trophy a year and next season we will try to win the championship too."

Pjanovic comments
Goalscorer Mihajlo Pjanovic was delighted with his performance. "I am very glad I have scored the only goal of the match," he said. "We dominated the match for a long time and could have scored also more goals."

Skoro praises victors
Meanwhile, Sartid coach Jovica Skoro was magnanimous in defeat. "That was a real final," he said. "I congratulate Zvezda on their victory. They have shown that experience is very important in matches like these. It was an honour participating."

Croatian visitors
For the first time in 12 years, the game also saw Belgrade welcome representatives of a Croatian side at an official Yugoslavian match. "We have been invited by our Belgrade friends," said NK Rijeka executive director Darko Ivosevic. "We have remembered the domestic cup final which used to be the greatest event in former Yugoslavia. We have also seen some very good players. Zvezda have stayed a great club."