25 years ago the Union defied NATO bombing and traveled to Belgrade to offer a helping hand and a breath of peace to the Serbian people
Anti-aircraft sirens – forgotten since the civil war – were heard for the first time in Belgrade and the other major cities of Yugoslavia on March 24, 1999. The bloody operations of the Montenegrin Serb army in Kosovo were described as “genocide” against the Albanian-speaking population, and NATO bombers caught work. “This is a peace campaign” claimed Bill Clinton and his associates in order to overcome the veto of Russia and China in the Security Council. Planes took off without permission from the United Nations and the remnants of the once-powerful Yugoslavia rushed to shelters.
The initiative of Melissanidis
The dismembered country was left almost helpless and nevertheless brotherly, until a cry of support was heard from the not-so-distant Athens. “We will go to Belgrade to play ball to support our Orthodox brothers.” To everyone’s surprise, the bold voice belonged to Dimitris Melissanidis, who even then was the strong man of AEK. The idea was enthusiastically received around the New Philadelphia stadium, captain Demis Nikolaidis enthusiastically signed on, the objections (primarily the British interests owning company ENIC) were isolated and the trip was scheduled for the orthodox Holy Wednesday, April 7, 1999. Exactly. 25 years ago.
The Partizan of 22-year-old Vladan Ivić and the later “united” coach Ljubisa Tubakovic took on the role of hostess with joy and emotion. After a series of contacts with the Yugoslav embassy in Athens, the mission flew to Hungary, to travel from there by road to the almost blockaded Belgrade, since there was no other route. “The Americans do not guarantee a ceasefire. Anyone who is afraid should stay at the hotel in Budapest and we will pick them up on the way back,” said Melissanidis shortly before the bus left. None of the peace travelers thought to ask for an exception.
The control at the Hungarian-Serbian border was thorough. “They are trying to discourage us and we will turn back” the football players and journalists said. “I’m not at all sure that this bridge will be in place when we come back,” coach Oleg Blakhin said as the coach drove through battered Novi Sad. And indeed, the strategically important bridge collapsed two days later. Just enough that the fearless Greeks managed to cross it to return unharmed to Budapest.
The 40,000 tickets for the friendly match were sold out until the last one, but most buyers preferred to stay at home for safety reasons. Sirens sounded daily, bombs killed civilians and the risk was enormous. There were 15,000 spectators in the stands, among them a handful of honorary Greek guests of AEK. Among others, Manolis Glezos, George Katsifaras, Nikitas Kaklamanis, Thodoros Kassimis, as well as Yiannis Vouros, Miltos Ventouris, Alexis Kougias participated in the supra-party delegation.
The presence of the “Greek brothers” was wholeheartedly welcomed by the Yugoslav hosts. The country’s president Milan Milutinovic himself welcomed the AEK mission, the Minister of Sports offered a painting with the inscription “To our brothers of AEK”, while ordinary people along the entire length and breadth of the route gave the visitors bread and salt , the traditional gift of Serbian hospitality.
Before the match, players from both teams planted an olive branch from Ancient Olympia, the ultimate symbol of peace, in the center of the field. The football players of the two teams had a goal and a question mark painted on their jerseys, as thousands of citizens did every day on the streets of the bombed country. “The next victim could be you or me” was the unwritten message.
“Stop the war, stop the bombing” read the giant banner carried by players from both teams as they entered the pitch, before a minute’s silence was observed. The match started with a delay and ended after 60-65 minutes (with a 1-1 result and scorers for Zoumbouli, Kezman), after it was recommended that the Greeks leave for the return trip before night falls. The army’s mandate was non-negotiable and the danger real.
The celebration of peace ended when the fans entered the field to personally thank and congratulate the Greeks. “The Greeks were our friends, but from today they became our brothers” commented Tubakovic with emotion. “AEK deserves the Nobel Peace Prize,” basketball coach Dragan Sakota said from Athens. “This club was created by refugees and understands the drama well” added lyricist Lefteris Papadopoulos. “We Serbs will never forget this gesture,” said Vladan Ivić many years later, his AEK jersey still sweaty on his back.
The “discretionary” participation of Greece
Fortunately no bombs fell on Belgrade that afternoon. However, NATO air operations continued until 10 June, when the Yugoslavs withdrew military forces from Kosovo. Human rights groups put the civilian death toll in the two countries at around 500, while three Chinese citizens were also killed in the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. Greece participated in the operations “discreetly”, as much as NATO obligations imposed on it, while numerous demonstrations in support of the Yugoslavs were organized in Athens.
“We won the war alongside the Greek heroes” wrote the newspaper “Politics of Belgrade”. “Brothers together with brothers, against the war” emphasized “Sport”. “Peace has been revived,” emphasized the “Sportski Journal”. AEK still considers the trip to Belgrade a jewel in its crown and a jewel in its history. For the record, the footballers who participated in the mission were Atmatsidis, Michaelidis, Kourkounas, Kopitsis, Kostenoglou, Babunski, Milovanovic, Kapsis, Tsekoli, Zikos, Katsavos, Savevski, Kasapis, Maladenis, Kalitzakis, Zoumboulis, Nikolaidis.
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