The Eagles Gather: A New Generation Takes Flight

The call to arms has sounded. Veljko Paunović has officially unveiled the roster for Serbia’s upcoming international window, and let us be clear: this is not your father’s national team. The Orlovi are preparing for a double-header of friendly fixtures against powerhouse opponents, and the message from the locker room is one of ruthless youth. First, they face Cape Verde in Lisbon, followed by a transatlantic trek to take on Mexico in Toluca. The stakes? High. The talent? Electric.

Paunović is not just selecting players; he is curating a revolution. The list is dominated by bright-eyed prospects from the Serbian SuperLiga, proving that domestic football is once again the beating heart of the national setup. Strahinja Pavlović anchors the defense from Milan, but the eyes of Europe will be glued to the Leipzig duo: Kosta Nedeljković and the phenom Andrija Maksimović. They are the spearhead of a new era.

Then, there is the name that echoes through Belgrade’s streets: Filip Stanković. The goalkeeper from Venezia, son of legend Dejan Stanković, has earned his stripes. He sits atop the list alongside Veljko Ilić and Luka Lijeskic, ready to guard the net. This is not nepotism; this is pedigree meeting performance.

From Pazova to the World Stage

The machinery begins in Pazova. On Friday, May 29, the squad convenes at the FSS Sports Center for their first training session at 11:00 AM. Paunović will face the media at 1:00 PM, defending his bold choices to a skeptical press. By Saturday, May 30, the team departs for Portugal, landing in Lisbon for the clash on May 31 at 4:30 PM local time.

But the journey does not end in Europe. Five days later, the Orlovi fly to Mexico for a 4:00 AM kick-off on June 5 in Toluca. It is a grueling schedule, designed to test legs, lungs, and spirit. With Red Star and Partizan gems like Vasilije Kostov, Adem Avdić, and Vukašin Đurđević in tow, Paunović is building a team that can conquer any pitch. The old guard is fading; the new blood is here. Are you ready?