Yugoslav athletes have, at the Olympic Games, world and European championships, won over 90 medals in this year. Men's volleyball national team made the biggest success by winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Sydney. Here is a short review of the events by which the Yugoslavs will remember the sports year 2000.
Volleyball
Yugoslav men's national team has taken the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Sydney after beating Russia in the finals (MORE). Yugoslavia won the fourth place at the World League final tournament in Rotterdam (MORE). European Volleyball Federation (CEV) has proclaimed Vladimir Grbic the best player in the year 2000 (MORE). Grbic was also elected best Yugoslav man athlete of the year by the Yugoslav Olympic Committee. (MORE).
Water polo
Yugoslavia won bronze medal at the water polo tournament of the Olympic Games in Sydney, after defeating Spain in the third place match (MORE). Yugoslavs reached the third place at the European League Final Four tournament. (MORE). After beating Mladost Zagreb 11-8 in the final match of the Champions' League Final-Four tournament, Yugoslav Becej, for the first time in their history, became the champion of Europe. (MORE). Yugoslav junior water polo team, for the third time in a row, got European champion title (MORE).
Basketball
Yugoslav men' s national team, the 1996 silver medallists and reigning world champion, ended 6th placed at the Olympic tournament in Sydney. Aleksandar Nikolic, one of the authors of the famous Yugoslav school of basketball and a member of the "Hall of Fame", died. (MORE). Panathinaikos won their second Men's Basketball Euroleague Final Four title. It was a tale of three Yugoslavs with coach Zeljko Obradovic and players, Dejan Bodiroga and Zeljko Rebraca, driving the Greek side to victory. (MORE). Haris Brkic died from injuries he sustained in a shooting after a training session (MORE). Predrag Stojakovic ranked 6th in the NBA in the free-throws percentage (.882) in 1999-2000. Sacramento's a 23-year-old forward from Yugoslavia has been a huge surprise this season, averaging 18.3 points and 6.2 rebounds after 19 games. Predrag Danilovic, Yugoslav player with the greatest number of golden medals won in the European Championships, ended his player career. (MORE).
Handball
Men's handball team failed to win Olympic medal (MORE). Yugoslav national team was the best at the European Junior Handball Championship. Buducnost from Podgorica reached semi-final of the European Women's Handball Champions' League. (MORE). Women's national team ended 7th placed at the European Championship (MORE).
Football
Yugoslav national team finished the competition on the European Championship having been defeated by Netherlands (MORE). Savo Milosevic, Yugoslavia's striker, was the best scorer of EURO 2000. Young Yugoslav player Mateja Kezman was sent off in the 88th minute for a reckless tackle, just one minute after going on as substitute during the European Championship match between Yugoslavia and Norway. Ilija Petkovic was named as Yugoslavia's new national team manager to replace Vujadin Boskov. (MORE). Red Star, after five years, won the Yugoslav Football Championship and the Double for the seventh time. Derby match between Red Star and Partizan was abandoned in the 8th minute after fans riot (MORE). Red Star reached the UEFA Cup second round (MORE). Lazio's Sinisa Mihajlovic is under legal investigation for racist comments made towards Arsenal's Patrick Vieira during the Champions League clash between the sides in October. If convicted, Mihajlovic faces a maximum sentence of three years in jail. (MORE). PSV striker Mateja Kezman scored four goals as the champions hammered Heerenveen 4-1 in the Dutch first division (MORE). Dragan Stojkovic, a former Yugoslavia's captain, signed a six-month extension to his contract with J-League club Nagoya Grampus Eight. Stojkovic will now end his successful player career next July, when the contract expires. (MORE).
Jasna Sekaric
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Other Sports
Jasna Sekaric won her fourth Olympic medal in shooting (MORE). Dragutin Topic got a bronze medal at the 26th European Indoor Athletic Championship (MORE). Olivera Jevtic won the third place for the fourth time in a row at the European cross country championships. (MORE). Thabiso Moqhali of Lesoto and Cristina Pomacu of Romania were the winners of the 13th Belgrade Marathon (MORE). Jedinstvo from Novi Becej (bowling - women), Knjaz Milos from Arandjelovac (karate - women), Partizan from Belgrade (karate - men) and Agrouniverzal from Zemun (chess - women) won the European Champion title. Yugoslav coxless four (Rankovic, Stegic, Filipic, Smiljanic) triumphed at the World Under-22 Rowing Championship. Ivan Kolic won a gold medal at the Junior World Aeromodelling Championship ...
