In the 'Chronicle of Swimming and Water Polo in Novi Bečej,' we explore the rich tradition and development of these sports in our town. Discover key moments, significant personalities, and the achievements of local teams, as well as the historical context that has shaped the swimming and water polo communities.

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Jedinstvo Novi Bečej Water Polo Promotion to the Second Republic League (Serbia)

Živorad Berbakov i Stevan Davidović The Chronicle of Swimming and Water Polo in Novi Bečej Hits: 8

The development of water polo in Vojvodina resulted in seven clubs from Vojvodina and one from Belgrade competing in the Republic League of Serbia. The season began with elimination tournaments held in Bečej and Bela Crkva, after which the First and Second Republic Leagues were formed based on the results achieved.

The top two teams qualified for the First League, while the third- and fourth-placed teams continued competing in the Second League.

The qualification group in Bela Crkva consisted of Banat clubs: Jezero from Bela Crkva, Proleter from Zrenjanin, Radnički from Kikinda, Jedinstvo from Novi Bečej, and Radnički from Kovin.

Sava Ivanić returned to Jedinstvo from Celje, taking on the role of both player and coach. Under his leadership, the team trained at “Banja,” preparing for a demanding season that included three tournaments and a total of nine scheduled matches.

At the first tournament in Bela Crkva, Jedinstvo lost to Jezero and Proleter, but defeated Radnički from Kovin, whose lineup included the legendary player from Pančevo known as “Sova” (“The Owl”) — a man of impressive physique, about 2 meters tall and weighing around 120 kilograms. Jezero and Radnički from Kikinda qualified for the First League, while Proleter and Jedinstvo continued in the Second League.

Živorad Berbakov later recalled this tournament with a smile:

“I remember these qualifiers less for the results and more for sleeping on straw in the dormitory in Bela Crkva. During the night, two of us ‘delicate ones,’ Ivica Kovačev and I, competed to catch more fleas, turning on the lights and waking the others, the ‘heavyweights,’ whom the fleas didn’t bother. Since the killed fleas were shown and counted, by morning it was 9:9, a draw, although there was suspicion that Ivica had shown one flea twice.”

At the next two tournaments, held in Zrenjanin and Novi Bečej, Jedinstvo achieved two victories against Student from Belgrade and Radnički from Kovin, while losing only to Proleter. Thus, the Novi Bečej water polo players finished second in the Second Republic League, behind Proleter from Zrenjanin.