Two games into the season, Vukovi now have a great new player. The player in question is Miloš Blagojević, 150 kilograms heavy offensive lineman, who had his debut against Sremska Mitrovica and who will play the next few games in Belgrade jersey. Born in the USA, his parents originating from Serbia, he is currently studying journalism at San Diego State, where he is no longer playing football.
SELAF.com: How did you get in touch with Vukovi?
Miloš Blagojević: It was coincidental, three years ago I was talking to a girlfriend of Stefan Stojanović, corner back, and she told me he plays the same game I do. I went to a couple of practices and I`ve been in contact with coach Hoffmann and the players ever since. Now the protective gear is here, and I`m here to help in any way that I can.
You`ve played in America for several years?
M.B.: The best part of my playing career was in high school. I played for three years at a high school in Santa Monica, every year except the first when they saw me and said I should be playing football. The position I played was left tackle, but occasionally, if needed, I also played defensive tackle.
After high school I was at a college in Santa Monica, after which I transferred to San Diego State. That`s a more serious school, Division I-A, and I wouldn`t have played this year, and it`s questionable if I would play next year, which is the last year of my education, so I`m not playing any more.
How long are you staying here, and how does the play look like compared to before?
M.B.: I`m here until the 29th of June, so I`ll be playing in two more games. As for the play, it`s completely different. There was a lot of effort then too, but you can see the difference in experience and the difference in playing with protective gear. I can see it on the position I play, but the rest of the players are also better, and of course the protective gear is here now so real football can be played.
Vukovi`s chances this year?
M.B.: I`m not giving any guarantees, but I don`t see why we couldn`t be champions. I`ve seen all the teams in the league, and i think we have enough for something like that. My only regret is I won`t be here if it happens.
And other teams in the League?
M.B.: I watched Kragujevac – Novi Sad last week, and Novi Sad played really good, hard. They were in a tough situation, against the home team fans, but they won. Kragujevac is a great team also and they`ll be Vukovi`s competition. Even against Vukovi, Novi Sad was close, so they should be taken seriously.
From the start of american football in Serbia there is a great rivalry between Vukovi and the Wild Boars, how much do you know about that?
M.B.: When I was planning to come here, I was looking to be here for the game against Kragujevac. I was looking at the schedule and that`s the game I was waiting for. I understand that Kragujevac is a great rival, and I want us to show we`re the best team in Serbia.
Next week against Kragujevac, what do you expect?
M.B.: Again I`m not giving any guarantees, but I expect us to win. What I see is that we have what it takes to win, even with the atmosphere in Kragujevac, which is tough to play in.