In a gripping display of talent and determination, Serbia's youth football teams had mixed results in recent European qualifying matches, showcasing the depth of their emerging players.
On March 22, 2025, the Serbian U17 team, featuring young talent Ognjen Obradovic, faced off against Hungary during the second round of Euro U17 2025 qualifying. The match was tense, with both teams fighting hard for an advantage. After a stalemate in the first half, it was Hungary's Janos Galambos who broke the deadlock in the 68th minute, seemingly putting Hungary in control. However, the Serbian side, with Obradovic playing a pivotal role, clawed back to equalize just six minutes from the end of the match, courtesy of Milos Soprenic’s efforts. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
This result placed Serbia on four points in the group standings, aligning them with Portugal, both now on the scoreboard as contenders in the ongoing qualifiers.
Meanwhile, the Serbian U19 team faced different challenges in their pursuit during the same day. Belgium’s U19 team played against Serbia in a must-win situation. In a heart-stopping match, Lazar Jovanovic scored for Serbia just two minutes in, setting the tone early. However, Belgium managed to respond effectively, with Yanis Musuayi leveling the score in the 53rd minute. The match concluded with another stalemate, 1-1.
The outcome left Belgium struggling with only a single point in the group after two matches, while Serbia navigated through the qualifiers with 4 points, fighting for a chance to progress further.
In a separate friendly match the day before, on March 21, 2025, the Serbia U20 team secured a convincing 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Goals from Kovacevic at the 57th minute and a late strike from Vlahovic in stoppage time sealed the win. This match provided much-needed momentum for the Serbian U20 squad and underscored their potential as they look forward to future competitions.
The Serbian U20 team’s next encounter is scheduled against Montenegro on March 25, 2025, a match that will undoubtedly test their skills further.
Overall, these matches highlight the bright future of Serbian football, as they continue to cultivate young talents across various age groups. The performances from Obradovic and his teammates not only reflect their individual abilities but also their growing capacity to compete at international levels.
As the Euro tournaments loom, Serbia’s various youth teams are building toward promising futures in the beautiful game.
