Karadjordje Cup
The Karadjordje Cup (Карађорђев куп) is a football tournament held each year in October with a different Australian city as the host. The Tournament is organized by the local Serbian Australian community.[1] The competing clubs have their roots within the Serbian Community but the players that participate reflect the Multicultural society that is Australia.
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| Organising body | Various Serbian-Australian affiliated soccer clubs |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 |
| Region |
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| Number of teams | Varies per year |
| Current champions | FC Melbourne Srbija Men's (3rd title) and Westgate FC Women's (2nd title) |
| Most successful club(s) | Springvale White Eagles Men's (7 titles) and Westgate FC Women's (2 titles) |
The first attempt to organize an annual football tournament that would bring together Serbian clubs from Australia took place in 1973. Then, the Avala football club from Sydney (today Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC) organised a tournament called "Nikola Tesla". Only three clubs participated in the tournament, in addition to Avala, FC Mona Vale White Eagles from Sydney and Canberra White Eagles FC from Canberra reported their participation. This competition did not last long. During the 70s and 80s of the 20th century, there were several attempts to organize a football tournament on an annual basis, but without success. FC Belgrade Adelaide and Dianella White Eagles SC started playing mutual cup matches called "Karadjordjev Cup" in 1984. The first, real tournament, which gathered a large number of Serbian clubs from Australia, was organized by Avala from Sydney. The tournament was held on December 26 and 27, 1987, under the name "All-Serbian Transitional Cup Tournament". The title was won by the host of the FC Avala competition, beating the Westgate Sindjelic team from Melbourne in the finals with 4:3 on penalties, since the regular part of the game ended 1: 1. Since then, every year, a tournament of Serbian clubs called "Karadjordjev Cup" is organized in its current form. The only competition was not held in 2001. Until 1996, the rule was that the winner of the tournament had the honor of organizing the next tournament, but after that the cup was organized by agreement.
The Football Association of Australia made a decision in 1992 that all clubs must remove symbolic national symbols from their names, so some clubs were forced to change their names.
Past tournaments
2006
In 2006 the tournament was held at the Serbian sports centre in Keysborough, Melbourne, Victoria and was hosted by Noble Park United.
Westgate Sindjelic would meet Springvale White Eagles FC in the final with Westgate winning 4-1 on penalties, after 3–3 at full time.[2]
2007
The 2007 tournament was hosted by White City Woodville at their home ground, The Frank Mitchell Park.
In total 9 teams competed; 5 being from Melbourne, 2 from Adelaide and 2 from Perth.
The eventual winners were Springvale White Eagles, beating Westgate Sindjelic in the final 3-0 on penalties, after 1–1 at full time.
2013
In 2013 the tournament was held at Northcote, Victoria and was hosted by Fitzroy City SC.
White City Woodville would meet Westgate Sindjelic in the final with White City Woodville winning 1–0.
2014
In 2014 the tournament was held at Derrimut, Victoria and was hosted by Westgate Sindjelic.
Springvale White Eagles would meet Westgate Sindjelic in the final with Springvale winning 5–2.
2018
In 2018 the tournament was held for the first time in Willawong, Queensland and was hosted by St. George Willawong.
White City Woodville would meet St George Willawong in the final with White City Woodville winning 1–0.
2019
In 2019 the tournament was held at the Serbian sports centre in Keysborough, Melbourne, Victoria and was hosted by Noble Park United.
Springvale White Eagles would meet Fitzroy Serbia in the final with Springvale White Eagles winning 4-3 on penalties, after 0–0 at full time.
For the first time, a women's competition was held at the same time with Westgate Sindjelic edging out Noble Park United 4-3 on penalties, after 1–1 at full time.
2022
2022 saw the Karadjordje Cup return after a two year hiatus due to the covid-19 pandemic in Australia and was held in Adelaide and hosted by FK Beograd (Australia).
The tournament saw a replay of the 2019 final which pit Fitzroy Serbia playing against Springvale White Eagles. This time though we would see Fitzroy getting the win and being crowned the 2022 Karadjordje Cup Men's Champions with a 4 - 0 win in the final against Springvale.
2022 also saw the return of the Karadjordje Cup Women's tournament with the final being once again a contest between Westgate Sindjelic and Nobel Park United. A great performance by both sides would see Westgate get the win with a score of 1 - 0 and once again be crowned the Karadjordje Cup Women's Champions, continuing their undefeated streak at the tournament.
2023
The 2023 Karadjordje Cup will return to Melbourne and be hosted by Casey Kings FC.
Past Men's Winners
Past Womens's Winners
| Year | Champions | Runner Up | Host City | Score in Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Melbourne | |||
| 2022 | Westgate Sindjelic | Noble Park United | Adelaide | 1 - 0 |
| 2021 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia | ||
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia | Sydney | |
| 2019 | Westgate Sindjelic | Noble Park United | Melbourne | 1–1 (Pen. 4–3) |
References
- "Karadjordje Cup". Roads & Kingdoms. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- "History - Springvale White Eagles FC". SportsTG. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
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