Partizan
FK Partizan is a Serbian professional football club based in Belgrade, founded on 4 October 1945. The club plays at the Partizan Stadium and competes in the Serbian SuperLiga, having spent its entire history in the top tier of Yugoslav and Serbian football. Partizan has won a total of 46 official trophies, including 27 national championships, making them one of the most successful clubs in Serbian football history. Their greatest achievement came in 1966 when they became the first club from Southeast Europe to reach the European Champions Cup final, and they hold the distinction of playing in the first European Champions Cup match in 1955.
History
Overview
General information about the club
FK Partizan was established as a football section of the Central House of the Yugoslav Army "Partizan" and was named in honour of the Partisans, the communist military formation who fought against fascism during World War II in Yugoslavia. The club was formed and initially managed by young high officers of the Yugoslav People's Army and veterans of the Spanish Civil War, including Koča Popović, Peko Dapčević, and Ratko "Čoče" Vujović, who was elected as the first president. The club forms a major part of the JSD Partizan multi-sport club and has maintained its position in the top tier throughout its existence.
Most recent season and achievements
In recent seasons, Partizan has continued to compete at the highest level of Serbian football and European competitions. The club has participated in the UEFA Europa Conference League, reaching the Round of 16 in the 2021-22 season after defeating Sparta Prague before being eliminated by Feyenoord. However, the 2022-23 season proved challenging, with the club finishing 4th in the Serbian SuperLiga for the first time since 1990, marking their worst domestic performance in the 21st century.
History
Early years
Two days after its establishment, Partizan made its first step on the football scene with a friendly match against a selection of Zemun that ended 4-2. Silvester Šereš entered the record books as the first goal scorer in Partizan's history, while goalkeeper Franjo Glaser was simultaneously the first club manager. Just three weeks later, Partizan went on their first international tour to Czechoslovakia, where they beat the selection of Slovak Army 3-1. The club's first international engagement was against CSKA Moscow on 6 December 1945 in Belgrade, as no organized football competition was yet restored following World War II.
Successful period
By the mid-1950s, Partizan underwent significant changes. In 1958, the club adopted the now famous black and white colors, leaving behind 13 years of playing in blue-red kits. This change coincided with the emergence of a remarkable generation known as "Partizanove bebe" (The Partizan's babies), featuring players like Milutin Šoškić, Fahrudin Jusufi, Velibor Vasović, and Milan Galić. This generation brought Partizan three consecutive championship titles in 1961, 1962, and 1963, earning the club its popular nickname "Parni valjak" (The Steamroller). The pinnacle of this era came in the 1965-66 European Cup campaign, where Partizan reached the final against Real Madrid, ultimately losing 2-1 despite taking the lead through Velibor Vasović.
Crisis and recovery
The 1970s and 1980s saw periods of both struggle and success. After a decade without major trophies, Partizan won their seventh championship in 1976 and eighth in 1978, also capturing their first European trophy, the Mitropa Cup, in 1978. However, the 1978-79 season became the worst in Partizan's history, finishing 15th and barely avoiding relegation. The 1980s brought another strong generation featuring Dragan Mance, who became a fan favorite before his tragic death in a car crash in 1985 at age 22. The controversial 1985-86 season saw Partizan initially win the title, only to have it disputed and eventually restored after legal proceedings.
Current period
The post-Yugoslav era has been marked by domestic success and European participation. Partizan has won multiple Serbian SuperLiga titles and regularly qualified for European competitions. Notable achievements include becoming the first Serbian club to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2003 under Lothar Matthäus, and their impressive Europa League campaigns. The club has undergone various managerial changes and squad reconstructions, with recent seasons showing mixed results, including their challenging 2022-23 campaign that led to comprehensive squad changes for the 2023-24 season.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Partizan has won 27 national championships across different eras: 11 Yugoslav First League titles (1946-47, 1948-49, 1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1964-65, 1975-76, 1977-78, 1982-83, 1985-86, 1986-87), 8 First League of FR Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro titles (1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2004-05), and 8 Serbian SuperLiga titles (2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2016-17). The club has also won 16 national cups: 6 Yugoslav Cups, 3 FR Yugoslavia Cups, and 7 Serbian Cups. Additionally, they captured the Yugoslav Super Cup in 1989 and the Yugoslav Summer Champions League in 1969.
Continental and global competitions
Partizan's greatest European achievement was reaching the 1966 European Cup final, where they lost 2-1 to Real Madrid. The club won the Mitropa Cup in 1978, defeating Hungarian side Honvéd 1-0 in the final. Partizan holds several European records, including playing in the first European Champions Cup match on 4 September 1955 and becoming the first club from Southeast Europe to reach the European Champions Cup final. They were also the first Serbian club to compete in the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2003.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
Partizan's crest has evolved significantly since 1945. Initially featuring a blue disc with a yellow-bordered red five-pointed star and the abbreviation JA (Jugoslovenska Armija), the emblem later incorporated white and blue circles with Yugoslav Army inscriptions and five torches representing Yugoslavia's nations. In the 1950s, after separation from the Yugoslav Army, the crest was modified to include "Sportsko Društvo" and later "Jugoslovensko Sportsko Društvo." The design changed to black and white in 1958, with a sixth torch added in 1963 to reflect Yugoslavia's six republics. Following Yugoslavia's breakup in 1992, "Fudbalski klub" replaced the Yugoslav references, and this version remains in use today. The crest was designed by academic painter Branko Šotra.
Traditional home and away kits colors
For most of its history, Partizan has played in black and white striped jerseys, though the club initially used dark red, blue, or white jerseys. The transition to the iconic black and white occurred in 1957 when Juventus president Umberto Agnelli donated two sets of black and white jerseys after a friendly match in South America. From 1952 to 1957, the club wore red-blue striped and quartered jerseys. There have been occasional variations, including black and white hooped shirts in 1974 and plain white jerseys with thick black stripes in 1982. Away shirts have typically been all white, occasionally red-blue striped, or in recent years, all black.
Traditional club anthem
The club's popular nickname "Parni valjak" (The Steamroller) was embedded in the lyrics of the club anthem. This nickname originated from a press report after Partizan's 7-1 victory over Red Star in the 13th Eternal Derby on 6 December 1953.
Traditional Rivals
Red Star Belgrade
Partizan's biggest rivalry is with Red Star Belgrade. Matches between these rivals are known as the Eternal derby (Večiti derbi) or Belgrade derby, considered one of the greatest cross-town clashes in the world. The rivalry began immediately after both clubs' creation, with Red Star founded for Yugoslav youth and Partizan as the Yugoslav People's Army's football section. The intensity is heightened by the fact that both stadiums are situated only a few hundred meters apart. The derby is regarded as one of the most intense rivalries in European football, featuring passionate supporters, fireworks, flags, and distinctive Balkan Brass Band atmosphere. The largest attendance was about 100,000 spectators on 7 November 1976, while Partizan's biggest victory was 7-1 on 6 December 1953.
Other rivals
During the Yugoslav era, Partizan maintained rivalries with other members of the "big four," including Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split. Other rivalries include a regional rivalry with Vojvodina in the Derby of Serbia, a minor derby with neighboring Zemun, and Belgrade derbies with Rad and OFK Belgrade.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
The club has had various shirt sponsors and manufacturers throughout its history, with sponsorship deals covering both domestic and European competitions.
Nicknames
Partizan's most famous nickname is "Parni valjak" (The Steamroller), which originated from a press report after their dominant 7-1 victory over Red Star in 1953. The organized supporters are called "Grobari" (The Gravediggers or Undertakers), a nickname given by their sporting rivals Delije of Red Star, referring to the club's black colors resembling cemetery undertakers' uniforms.
Ownership and finances
Partizan operates as a sports association within the Partizan Sports Association, which includes 28 clubs in different sports. The football club maintains complete independence regarding organization, management, finances, and facilities. In 2010, the club's non-consolidated operating revenues amounted to €21.2 million with EBITDA of €3.5 million.
Traditions and culture
The Grobari supporters are situated mainly on the south stand of the Partizan Stadium and are known for their noisy, constant cheering and devotion to the club. Their cheering follows the principle of "srce, ruke, glas" (heart, hands, voice). The Grobari maintain friendships with organized supporters of PAOK, CSKA Moscow, CSKA Sofia, and Sporting Clube de Portugal. The club has supporters throughout former Yugoslav republics and the Serbian diaspora, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, Malta, the United States, and Australia.
Stadium
The Partizan Stadium, originally known as JNA Stadium (Yugoslav People's Army Stadium), is situated in the Savski Venac municipality in central Belgrade. Designed by architect Mihailo Janković and built on the site of BSK Stadium, it was officially opened on 22 December 1951. The first match was between Yugoslavia and France on 9 October 1949. Originally holding 55,000 spectators, renovations in 1998 following UEFA security regulations converted it to an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 32,710, making it Serbia's second-largest stadium. Partizan supporters sometimes call it "Fudbalski hram" (The Temple of Football). The stadium has hosted various events including the 1962 European Athletics Championships, concerts, and Yugoslav Cup and Serbian Cup finals.
Partizan
Club Information
Official Name
Partizan
Founding Year
1945
Tactical Formation
4-3-3
Stadium Information
Stadium Name
Stadion Partizana
Capacity
32.170
Address
Humska 1
City
Beograd,
Surface
grass
Key Personnel
Captain
Svetozar Marković
Captain's Stats
186cm, 76kg
Head Coach
Saša Ilić
Head Coach Age
48 Age
Coach Nationality
RS
Recent Honours
| Season | Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | VĐQG Serbia | 🏆 2 |
| 2023-2024 | VĐQG Serbia | 🏆 2 |
| 2021-2022 | VĐQG Serbia | 🏆 2 |
| 2020-2021 | VĐQG Serbia | 🏆 2 |
| 2021-2022 | Serbian Cup | 🏆 2 |
Current Season Stats
| Competition | Rank | Matches | W-D-L | Points |
|---|
Goal Statistics
Super Liga (SER)
10 Scored - 6 Conceded
Super Liga (SER)
62 Scored - 39 Conceded
Super Liga (SER)
58 Scored - 29 Conceded
Super Liga (SER)
73 Scored - 40 Conceded
Super Liga (SER)
66 Scored - 35 Conceded