Crvena zvezda couldn't make this season a Double-winning one as Vladan Milojević's team suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of a gritty Partizan side in the Kup Srbije Final.
Ground: Rajko Mitić Stadium
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Novak Simović
Goalscorers: Ostojić 14'
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Stojković, Savić, Milunović, Rodić, Jovičić, Jovančić, Ben, Marin, Ivanić, Pavkov.
Substitutes: Popović, Vulić, Čaušić, Joveljić, Jevtović, Gobeljić, Vukanović.
Partizan: Stojković, N R Miletić, Ostojić, Pavlović, Urošević, Zdjelar, Šćekić, Tošić, Pantić, Ivanović, Gomes.
Substitutes: Kljajić, Georgijević, Šehović, Marković, Pavlović, Smiljanić, Ilić.
National cup final, the last game of the season and two big rivals. The stage was set at our home ground and Eternal rivals were ready to give their all in a game that would mean the Double for Crvena zvezda, or a potential season-saver for the black and whites.
Vladan Milojević spoke ahead of the game and stated that motivating players isn't necessary – the occasion itself is motivation enough. As always, the city of Belgrade and entire Serbia stopped to see who wins the Kup Srbije.
And it was the black and whites who landed the first blow, defender Bojan Ostojić nodding in fro close range following a left-hand side floated cross.
Danilo Pantić has had a good attempt from the edge of the area, but Milan Borjan dived well to his left to keep the Chelsea on-loan winger out. Minutes later, Milan Pavkov came close on the other end as he rose the highest to meet a Filip Stojković cross. Unfortunately, the header was straight at Vladimir Stojković in the Partizan goal.
Half time whistle went as Zvezda kept pushing for what would be a perfectly-timed equalizer. After the break it was Crvena zvezda who controled the proceedings and the ball, but were often found lacking in the final third against a very well-organized Partizan defence.
Late forays into Partizan's box brought a few half chances, but the black and whites showed great determination and managed to fend off all our attacks.
The visitors were looking to break and Zvezda players had to be alert on numerous occasions. But we had no goals and it ended with Partizan winning 1-0.