Belgrade’s Eternal Derby – Politics, Protests & Europe’s Fiercest Football Rivalry | Ep 04

In this episode of The Global Game, we travel to Belgrade, Serbia—where football doesn’t just fill stadiums, it fuels politics, protest, and power. At the heart of the story lies The Eternal Derby, a rivalry between Red Star and Partizan that cuts across class, identity, and ideology. From its roots in post-WWII Yugoslavia to its explosive connection with hooliganism and organized crime, this is football at its most raw and uncompromising. We explore how deep the game runs in Serbian society—from student-led protests and graffiti-covered walls to neighborhood clubs and communal kafanas. Along the way, we meet political scientists, artists, and everyday fans who embody the spirit of the beautiful game. Whether it’s a war-torn past or a hopeful future, Serbia's story is written in football. This is Belgrade’s Eternal Derby. This is The Global Game. Chapters 00:00 – 01:10 | Intro 01:10 – 01:52 | Belgrade 01:52 – 02:44 | The History of Red Star and Partizan 02:44 – 04:18 | Politics, Hooligans & Organized Crime 04:18 – 06:12 | Arkan 06:12 – 09:57 | The Eternal Derby (Red Star vs. Partizan) 09:57 – 11:20 | Anti-Corruption Protests 11:20 – 14:13 | Street Art in Belgrade 14:13 – 16:42 | Kafana Pavle Korčagin 16:42 – 18:31 | Football Codex 18:31 – 20:55 | FK Milijankovic 20:55 – 22:36 | Outro