Hungarian–Serbian Generals’ Match

The cooperation between the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Serbian Armed Forces encompasses more than combined exercises and training events for the militaries of the two countries. It is by now a tradition that the top leaders of the Serbian and the Hungarian armed forces play friendly futsal matches twice a year. Early in the year the Serbians hosted the event, whereas this year’s second match took place at the sports center of the Hungarian Football Federation in Telki, Hungary on 29 November.

Organized for the fifth time, the generals’ match was opened by Chief of Defence Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő. In his speech, he said that he and his Serbian counterpart, General Ljubisa Dikovic consider it important that sports events like the present one be held to cultivate good relations, and they will do their best to expand the range of similar activities in the future. Trusting in the home-field advantage, the general added that as the Hungarian generals’ team lost the last match, it behooves them to get revenge on the Serbian opponent at this match. “But the most important thing is that everybody can have a good time, and so we can see a fair match being played in a friendly atmosphere", Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő stated, and in what followed, he did the kick-off at the game.

His latter wish fulfilled, but for this time, the former did not: although the score was 0-0 at half time of the game played with 30-minute halves, the match finally ended with a 1-0 Serbian victory.

Photo: Tünde Rácz