Unprecedented Drama in Serbian Football

Serbia witnessed a level of tension rarely seen in its top-flight football during the final round of the SuperLiga relegation playoffs. The fate of the fourth club to leave the elite division hung in the balance until the very last whistle, involving Radnicki 1923 from Kragujevac, TSC Bačka Topola, and Mladost Lučani.

Earlier in the season, Napredak Kruševac, Spartak Subotica, and Javor Ivanjica had already confirmed their exit from the SuperLiga. The final round left three teams fighting for two safety spots. Before the matches, Mladost held 43 points, while both Radnicki 1923 and TSC sat on 44 points.

Results Decide Survival

Mladost Lučani, facing the harshest scenario, needed a win. They delivered, beating Napredak 1:0 thanks to a 14th-minute goal by Udovičić. This victory lifted them to 46 points, securing their status and allowing them to watch the other results unfold with relief.

The pressure shifted to TSC Bačka Topola, who traveled to Loznica to face IMT. The visitors failed to secure the necessary victory, settling for a 1:1 draw. This result left TSC on 45 points, meaning their fate now depended entirely on the outcome in Kragujevac.

Radnicki Holds On Against Javor

The decisive match took place in Kragujevac, where Radnicki 1923 hosted the already-relegated Javor Ivanjica. Although Javor had nothing to play for, they offered stiff resistance. Simović gave the hosts the lead in the 23rd minute, but the advantage was short-lived. Defender Sali received a red card just before halftime, forcing Radnicki to play the second half with ten men.

Javor capitalized immediately after the break, scoring on their first attack through Sise to take a 2:1 lead. Panic gripped Kragujevac as TSC's draw in Loznici meant Radnicki now needed a win to stay up, or a draw to survive on head-to-head records.

In the 67th minute, Balde struck the equalizer, sending the home fans into raptures. The 2:2 draw was enough. Radnicki 1923 and TSC both finished with 45 points, but Radnicki's superior head-to-head record against their rivals saved them from relegation. TSC Bačka Topola drops to the second tier, while Zemun and Macva Šabac ascend to the SuperLiga for the coming season.