Ex Anderlecht goalkeeper opened his soul for Telegraf, 9 years from horrible accident: Doctors thought i won't be able to speak, but i am Serb and a Gipsy!

It wasn't hard to find a house of Zvonko Milojevic, near Jagodina, in calm village Voljavce. All locals know where the world champion lives, the man stronger than the misfortune that struck him and stronger from the dark medical forecasts, who did more in his career than most part of the Red Star post Bari history.

Recommended

From Sapic to Bogdanovic: They didn't ask for excuses, but they thought how to be even bigger champions on time

Wide smile of welcome and firm handshake on meeting gave impression that Zvonko still lives in the beat of the song "Fight Miloje" that Delije (FC Red Star supporters) sang to him. There was no moment when he was despondent since the ominous 15. November 2007 when he was in a difficult traffic accident a German Ahen.

Balkan spite is stronger than German forecast that he will be bound to bed, with no possibility to speak, when a field truck smashed in his car.

- I am fighting! What else can i do? Its been full 9 years and i remember waking up from the coma i have been for 12 days. I could say what my name was, the names of my parents, wife, brother, and everything they asked me. They were in wonder how is that possible. And i am from Balkan, and Serb, and a gypsy. You can't get any better than that! I don't drink, i don't smoke, nor i gamble. They told me i won't be able to eat, to talk or to sit... They should rip their diplomas, especially those doctors in Germany who told me all of that! - Miloje was in high spirits, whole he was explaining in detail the areas of living room.

Lonely jersey dominated over the bed of Dejan Stankovic from his goodbye from the national team, from Novi Sad with the number 103, with a small clipping from the newspaper about his favorite car Audi A6, while on the other side is of the room is a porter with the Red Star coat of arms.

- Since i can't frame the entire Deki, i did it with his jersey. On the other side there is a ported that Delije from Pozarevac did for me. My wish only was for the coat of arms to be on the picture, because if it wasn't there, i would not be what i am - tells the story in a single breath, so one could forget the consequences of the terrible crash in his speech.

The hands that used to tame penalties on Camp Nou and Old Trafford have better and better movement. Moloje at one time could only dream about taking a pen in his hands, and now in his free time he does crossword and Sudoku, but one sort of entertainment remained especially dear to him.

- I like to play cards the most, when i am not working, i slam my hand on the table, i wont allow it... And when i win, the happiness is never ending! That sports spirit remained within me, i don't like losing, and that's it!

That spirit started building up against Koln on the The Baptism of Fire.

- The youngest goalkeeper in the history of Red Star debuted for starting lineup. To be honest, as much quality as i had, i would never have gotten the chance if the Stevan Stojanovic did not suffer from injury. He hurt his knee, Kaludjerovic did not have the played games, and opportunity appeared before me. And i remember the comments that followed, if the Red Star have lost from Koln, they still got Milojevic. And that was the turning point for me, or the double edged sword, because a lot was expected from me. 

"Child from Svetozarevo" waited on his chance patiently. He could not want for the better opportunity, because Vladica Popovic showed trust in Tokyo, when Kolo Kolo was swiped in the fight for the Intercontinental Cup.

Foto: Marko Todorović

- After that i went to the military, and of course when i got back, Red Star has won the Champions league (laughter). I am joking, i spent a year in Sombor, i was reassigned to Mostar, and then i was in the sports platoon on Banjica. It was lead by Stane Karasi. My service has ended on 25. May and Red Star won the title in Bari on 29th. Six months after that i was the actor in Tokyo. Everything goes fast in sports and football, from military to world title in half a year! That game was the dearest to me because we won it and no one ever will have the opportunity to have it again. It is a success of the generation that was created through generations and that was prevented to win a lot of more because of the sanctions. 

It was all clear in 1992. when the slap of the sanctions and war reality affected all spheres of society.

- It was an honor to play in Red Star and to be the first goalkeeper and Captain. Its a huge deal to present the team that more than 50% of Serbia is cheering for. I know how i felt when i went to Anderlecht after Red Star, i could always proudly point out what i was thinking about. It was hard, but friendship and spirit kept us together. We had Milan Zivadinovic for a coach... That was such an interesting coach, his training were never boring, he always found a way to motivate us. He made the situation in the club and in the country more easier. 

Foto: Marko Todorović

Of course, Zvonko speaks with the greatest pride when the giants from Spain and England came.

- No one ever saved a penalty on those two stadiums of those great clubs, maybe the greatest in Europe! I succeeded in it, but i only had crazy luck. I have a custom to say, you can save a penalty only if the player kicks the ball badly. If he shots well, you can bee Lav Jasin, you will do nothing... Although, the only penalty which i hold more dear is the one from Manchester, the finals of the Super cup, on the start of my career. I am still sad we did not have the rematch in Maracana. It was not held because of the sanctions, Maracana stadium would be full, we would win them and we would become the first club that won the title of the European champion, the world, and the Supercup trophy! Rarely anyone could do that again. 

The most vivid was perhaps working with the  most attractive figure of Serbian football, Milan Zivadinovic.

- Every time after training we have the custom to perform free kicks from just outside the box, and if i saved the net, he would have to do push-ups and sit-ups. That's why i could tell him: Thanks to me, you are all in good shape! (laughter) And otherwise, i never was in conflict with the coaches, i always wanted to be the fine example to other players, that is why the captain band was given to me and the trust. I never gave any motive to people to speak badly about me... Everyone i worked with were good players and they had the feeling to get the most out of the player. 

Milojevic stopped the greatest aces of world football, but he distinctly remembers the two scorers - he met one only on training.

Foto: Marko Todorović

- The most dangerous attackers are not the ones that wait for the ball to be served for them, but the ones who know how to create, dribble and make the chance by themselves. Alen Boksic and Vladan Lukic were two best attackers. I had the fortune to play in Red Star and not to face with Lukic, or else, who knows what would happen. He was hampered by injuries, he reminded me on Milko Djurovski, with his knowledge he had the great feeling for the space around him. Milko had the football contumely, that positive arrogance, Vladan had something similar... 

During his story, next to his caring wife Marina, the inheritors Magdalena and Mladen, Zvonko's greatest motivation, "rampaged" through the apartment. After the sports subjects, they initiated the return to the story about the feat that is a consequence of incredible willpower.

- I support the fact that i have to be in charge of the problem, and not the other way around. I don't allow myself to get depressed or disappointed. Now i have reached the point where i can drive a car, i am happy i can go to Belgrade and back with no problem. I use two months a year to go to Ribarska resort to use all i can to recover. I still have the great desire to make those 10 steps, but the injury was so difficult and so hard that there are very small chances of that. I don't expect much in the future, but i hope that everything will go in the desired way. I don't have great expectations only not to get disappointed. I am realistic. 

Foto: Marko Todorović

When it comes to disappointments, Milojevic speaks with with sadness about the infamous summer episode of his loved club.

- Red Star is the greatest happiness, but also greatest sadness and sorrow. When Red Star wins there is no end to happiness, when it loses, i am sad like everyone else. The sadness remains for the Champions League, but the hope that in near future, if the players remain in the next few years, will be a dream come true. With the right trades something could happen...

Zvonko overcame some limits on one life field now it remains on Red Star to the same on the sports plane and to make him happy. National team could do something similar lead by his former coach Slavoljub Muslin. As the time in the hanging out passed like a breeze on Saturday evening, we hurried to leave Milojevic some time to prepare for the duel with Wales. After the game we remembered his words.

- A point would be big as a house, but only if we give our best to go for victory. If we willingly go for a point, it won't end well. 

And that's what really happened.

(Telegraf.co.uk / B. Vinulovic)