On Wednesday, May 24th, at Stade de France in Paris, the final game of football Champion's League will be held. Two Spanish teams will meet - seven times European champion Real and a debutant in this championship Valencia.
After the Red Star Belgrade triumph in European Football Champion's Cup in 1991, UEFA changed the system of competition, which from the season 1992/93 has a new name - Champion's League.
Yugoslav clubs have not so far managed to pass the qualifications for the Champion's League, but on the other hand, Yugoslav players who play in foreign clubs have had noticeable successes.
Dejan Savicevic
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Dejan Savicevic in Athens, 1994, scored a fantastic goal and was the best player of the final match in which Milan defeated Barcelona with 4-0.
Juventus in 1996, after being better in penalty shoot-out, defeated Holland Ajax and became Europe's champion. Vladimir Jugovic successfully realized the last penalty, which decided the final match.
Predrag Mijatovic (Real)
scores against Juventus
on the European Champions'
Cup final 1998
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After 32 years, Real again became European champion 1998. Team from Madrid defeated Juventus in the finals with 1-0, and the only goal in the match was scored by Yugoslav national player Predrag Mijatovic.
Even the next finals of the Champion's League will not be without Yugoslavs. One of the most reliable players in Valencia's defense is Yugoslav national team player, a 34-year-old Miroslav Djukic.
Djukic started his football career in Macva from Sabac, and then he played for Rad Belgrade. Ten years ago, he arrived to Spain and several seasons he played in Deportivo Coruna. In the season 1992/93, a respectable football magazine declared him the best football player in Spain. Playing for Deportivo and later for Valencia, Djukic won two King's Cups and two Super Cups.
Perica Ognjenovic will most probably be sitting on Real`s bench in the final game. He was, not so long ago, declared as one of the most talented players in Europe and as the future of the club from Madrid. The former Red Star player, however, has not still got the real chance to prove his indisputable playing potential.
