The Best Serbian Ultras Groups

Ultras are basically the fans of football (soccer) clubs. But what makes the difference between an ultras and a normal fan? The answer is love and devotion. I'm not saying that regular fans do not love their clubs, but with ultras it's all about passion.

Usually every ultras group have their main stand. This is the stand that all staunch supporters go to. They take their job very seriously and are ready to fight for their club 'till the end. These guys are prepared to make one hell of an atmosphere. They often use flairs, choreography, they are providing vocal support to the club throughout the whole game and will never abandon their club.

However, there are always side effects. These are passionate groups that are too hard to control. They are very often drunk or on drugs. Also ultras are sometimes influenced by political ideologies and racism. They have problems with the police, and often with their club management. But you will never be able to doubt their love for the clubs.

Serbian ultras groups are very loyal to their clubs and they can make a hell on the stadiums. However they are very influenced by politics, nationalism and even racism. Serbian main stands are often under the leadership of some criminal organization which is one of the reasons why the Serbian football is on a deathbed.

I will try to describe some of Serbian ultras' such as: Taurunum boys, Crveni Djavoli (Red Devils), Torcida Sandzak, United Force, Firma (the Firm), Grobari (Gravediggers) and Delije (Heroes).

Taurunum Boys were established in 1987 in Zemun which is the part of Belgrade. Zemun is also their club name. Club colours are black and green. They call themselves Taurunum Boys, because Taurunum was Zemun's name in the time of ancient Rome. Taurunums are a very loyal group, probably the most loyal group in Serbia. One of their songs goes "In any league that you play, we will be loyal to you". This is very true because Zemun currently plays in the third league.

There aren't too many of them, between 200-1000 but, as I said, they are very loyal. Every ultras group has it's subgroups. Taurunum Boys subgroups are Zemun Trg (Zemun's Square), Dragons, Nova Garda (The New Guard), Stara Garda (The Old Guard), Zagrizeni (Keen) etc.

Very often these groups have good relations with some other ultras groups, and then they form a fraternal supporter group. In most cases, fraternal groups consist two teams, but sometimes there are more.

The fraternal groups of Taurunum Boys are The Red Devils, supporters of Radnicki from Kragujevac (Serbia) and Gate 10, Iraklis Thessaloniki (Greece).

Established in 1989 in Kragujevac, medium large city in the center of Serbia, they support football club called Radnicki Kragujevac 1923, but they are often visiting basketball and volleyball games, too. They are red colored and very loyal to their club and city. Their club play its games on Cika Daca stadium, and the Red Devils are located on the south stand.

Their fraternal brothers are fans of FK Zemun (Taurunum Boys) and fans of FK Radnicki Nis (Meraklije). The Red Devils are well known as ultras group not hooligans, and anti fascist, because of Nazi murders in Kragujevac during World War II.

Subgroups of The Red Devils are: Kg Boys, Mazohisti (The Masochists), Sumarice etc.

This group is established in a year 1989 in Novi Pazar, Serbia. They are supporting the the club named Novi Pazar.This blue and white colored group, their club and town Novi Pazar itself, are hated by any other group in Serbia because of their religious affiliation. Unlike any other Serbian Orthodox Christian group, members of Torcida Sandzak are Muslims. Therefor during games they often meet with religious slurs. But they are proud on their religion, and often singing how Novi Pazar is a part of Turkey, not Serbia.

As expected their fraternal group is Genc Fenerbahceliler (fans of Fenerbahce, club from Turkey). Supgroups of Torcida Sandzak are: Blue White Boys and Ultra Azzurro. In year 2003, a group called Ekstremi (Extremes), was established. This group has grown during the years, and today they are often fighting against Torcida Sandzak for the primacy of their main stand.

This group was established in 1987 in Belgrade. United Force supports the Football Club Rad. Their colours are blue, and they are located on the south stand. They love their club, and man, these guys are dangerous. United Force is the example of the real ultras. They will never run, they will never hide and they are prepared to fight with any means necessary.

Of all Serbian ultras this group takes the 'prize' in nationalism, racism and any other 'ism'. Very proud of their Serbian origins, they celebrate every war victory in Serbian history, every Serbian general and remember all the bad moments that their people will never forget. Although they aren't so numerous, every team that plays against Rad should be afraid and take these guys very, very seriously, because, trust me, they aren't kidding.

Subgroups of United Force are U.F. 101%, Odred 18 (Squad 18) etc.

It is established in 1989. in Novi Sad which is the second largest city in Serbia, after Belgrade. They are located on the north stand. Their club's name is Vojvodina with red and white colors. Their stadium is named by the leader of the first Serbian uprising Karadjordje. Although the Firm was established in 1989, these guys are young, in form, and very loyal.

This group is very proud on their hometown, Novi Sad, and they often mention this in their songs. Subgroups of The Firm are: Ultra Novi Sad, Sanatorium, 3 - G (Third Generation), Freaks, Pandora, Liman etc.

Fraternal group, Lesinari (The Scavengers) from Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The Gravediggers of Partizan Belgrade were established in 1970. One of the strongest groups on the Balkan. Black and white coloured, their club plays it's games on JNA stadium. The second numerous group in Serbia, Grobari are located on the south stand, and they like to call themselves Grobari Jug (Gravediggers from the south). Their motto is heart - hands - voice. Three things that every ultras group needs. Grobari are famous for the atmosphere on their basketball games, probably the most famous basketball fans in the world.

Partizan won the Serbian championship five years in a row. However two feuding groups, Alcatraz and South family declared a war to each other. Other groups have sided with one of these and this war is still on. Since then, South family and the groups that have sided with them are now located on the east stand, and they call themselves "Zabranjeni" (The Forbidden Ones).

Subgroups of Grobari are: Alcatraz (well known for their criminal activities), Grobari 1970 (Gravediggers 1970), South Family, Young Boys, Shadows (very dangerous group), Juzni Front (South Front) etc.

Fraternal groups: Gate 4 - Paok Thessaloniki (Greece) and CSKA Moscow (Russia).

Heroes of the Red Star were established in 1989. That year the three largest groups of Red Star supporters stood as one and named themselves Delije Sever (Heroes of the North). On the Marakana stadium they are located on the north stand. Their club, Red Star, is the most famous club in Serbia. They won the European and the World Cup in 1991, but since then this club is sinking. However, Delije will never give up. This is the largest group in Serbia and on the Balkan, feared and respected by any other ultras group in the world.

Famous for their choreography and their flair use. Very loyal and they will literally follow their club to the end of the world. This group is very well organized and very dangerous, often compared with the military because of their discipline.

Subgroups of Delije are: Belgrade Boys, Ultra Boys, Iron Boys, Brigade, Hijene (Hyenas), Crazy North etc.

Fraternal groups: Gate 7 - Olympiakos, Athens (Greece) and Spartak Moscow (Russia)