Red Star Belgrade’s judokas have written another chapter in the club’s history by claiming their third consecutive and fifth overall runner-up finish in the Champions League, held in Paris this year. In a dramatic final, the red-and-whites were defeated 4–3 by reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.
The Serbian club came close to winning the European title, but the French team managed to secure victory in a nail-biting finish. Despite the defeat, Red Star once again confirmed its place among the very best clubs in European judo.
Red Star competed with the following team: Marica Perišić, Mina Gačić, Nuana Silva, Dunja Vukićević, Milica Žabić, Bajsangur Nagayev, Hidayat Heydarov, Vukašin Sokić, Nemanja Majdov, Boris Rutović, Mihajlo Simin, Zelim Kotsoiev, Vidak Maljević and Lazar Ždrale.
The team was led by coaches Bojan Došen, Ljubiša Majdov and Andrija Đurišić.
After Montpellier in 2024 and Belgrade in 2025, Red Star’s judokas reached the grand final in the French capital as well, making it three consecutive finals.
“That championship title will come one day”
The red-and-whites were cheered on from the stands at the National Judo Institute by Stojan Vujko, president of Red Star Judo Club and president of the Red Star Sports Society Assembly; sports director Nikola Nikolić; secretary-general Vladan Gačić; members of the Board of Directors; and the club’s young judokas.
“We were just a little short on sporting luck. Although this is our fifth runner-up finish, everyone on the tatami gave their maximum. There was never any question about the fighting spirit or dedication, only about the timing. We move forward, and that championship title will come one day,” Vujko said.
He invited judo fans to attend the European Mixed Team Championships on November 7 and 8 at the Aleksandar Nikolić Hall.
Vujko also noted that on November 8, the Judo Federation of Serbia will host the European Inclusive Judo Championships for the first time.
Majdov: We fought until the end like true champions
Red Star captain Nemanja Majdov once again secured important victories against top-level opponents.
“We had one of those days, and we almost won the final right in the middle of Paris. We were leading 3–2, and I was convinced that was it. Every match was extremely close, mine as well as everyone else’s on the team. I faced Celidis, an Olympic bronze medalist, and I managed to get revenge for that match and beat him for the ninth time,” Majdov said.
The captain stressed that there was no reason to be disappointed despite the defeat in the final.
“We achieved a great result, and we should not be sad. This is a huge, historic achievement. We pushed PSG all the way to the end; we are European runners-up. I am proud of everyone. Thanks to the management, the team and the coaches. We fought until the end like true champions,” Majdov said.
Road to the final through French clubs
Red Star’s judokas received a first-round bye as seeded competitors before defeating French club ACBB Boulogne 4–3 in the quarterfinals.
They were more convincing in the semifinals against Judo Nice Métropole, winning 4–1 to secure a place in the final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Coach Bojan Došen made no secret of his satisfaction with the result.
“I am overjoyed because, after my career as a captain, I managed, in my first appearance as a coach with Red Star, to justify the management’s trust and help us all win the club’s fifth runner-up title. Thanks to Red Star Judo Club presidents Stojan Vujko and Ivan Bošnjak, and Judo Federation of Serbia president Ivan Todorov, for their support. We move forward,” Došen said.
Red Star’s judokas have competed in the Champions League since 2013, winning their first medal in the Netherlands in 2014. Since then, they have established themselves among Europe’s most successful clubs, as confirmed by their fifth runner-up medal.
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Source: Dnevnik Foto: TANJUG
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