The Serbian American Football Federation was founded in 2003 after a number of
teams were formed in late 2002. The sport was virtually non-existent in Serbia prior to
2001, when, almost accidentally, one of three national TV networks started
broadcasting live NFL games.
This helped the sport gain instant popularity that has seen the Serbian Federation
grow to include 22 teams. While not all are playing official games this season, 10
participate or will be participating in Serbia’s National Championship for 2007, and 7
are members of SAFS League, or SAFS’ tackle, but also pad-free football league.
Originally, all Serbian teams played tackle football without pads, primarily because of
financial difficulties.
teams were formed in late 2002. The sport was virtually non-existent in Serbia prior to
2001, when, almost accidentally, one of three national TV networks started
broadcasting live NFL games.
This helped the sport gain instant popularity that has seen the Serbian Federation
grow to include 22 teams. While not all are playing official games this season, 10
participate or will be participating in Serbia’s National Championship for 2007, and 7
are members of SAFS League, or SAFS’ tackle, but also pad-free football league.
Originally, all Serbian teams played tackle football without pads, primarily because of
financial difficulties.
The beginnings of proper football in Serbia are closely related to Serbia’s National Team and its first exhibition
match. Serbia played Slovenia on October 2005 in Belgrade and won 38-0. From then on, several teams
completely abandoned pad-free, with the number of teams doing the same continuing to grow as time goes by.
One year later Serbia took part in Bodensee Cup in Austria, playing and beating first the Zurich Renegades and
the Cineplexx Blue Devils to win the trophy. Even though both of these teams played with, to different extents,
incomplete teams, the wins were still somewhat surprising, especially because Serbia played with players from
different teams that had a short amount of time for practice.
The unbeaten streak ended in March of 2007, when Serbia lost convincingly to Russia at home in Novi Sad.
With the short history of, not only the national team, but American football in Serbia in general, Serbia’s
expectations are relatively low. It’s true that every team tries to win every game it plays, but in this case Serbia’s
goal will be to play the best way it can and see what transpires. Hopefully this will translate to wins, but the
experience from participating in this event will be just as valuable.
match. Serbia played Slovenia on October 2005 in Belgrade and won 38-0. From then on, several teams
completely abandoned pad-free, with the number of teams doing the same continuing to grow as time goes by.
One year later Serbia took part in Bodensee Cup in Austria, playing and beating first the Zurich Renegades and
the Cineplexx Blue Devils to win the trophy. Even though both of these teams played with, to different extents,
incomplete teams, the wins were still somewhat surprising, especially because Serbia played with players from
different teams that had a short amount of time for practice.
The unbeaten streak ended in March of 2007, when Serbia lost convincingly to Russia at home in Novi Sad.
With the short history of, not only the national team, but American football in Serbia in general, Serbia’s
expectations are relatively low. It’s true that every team tries to win every game it plays, but in this case Serbia’s
goal will be to play the best way it can and see what transpires. Hopefully this will translate to wins, but the
experience from participating in this event will be just as valuable.
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