After two relatively successful seasons and the formation of a solid water polo team, the club concluded that the training and match conditions on the Tisa River—flowing, open water—were too poor. It was believed that under such conditions the team would not be able to compete with clubs training in swimming pools or other “still” waters (lakes, canals, sluice areas, or the Danube backwaters). A new solution had to be found.
The proposal to build a swimming pool was not accepted, so a small lake called “Banja” was chosen instead. It was located next to the “Polet” brick and tile factory and had been formed by clay excavation for industrial purposes. In terms of conditions, it most closely resembled what the Kikinda teams had, although this pond was significantly smaller.
Always ready for volunteer work, the players—assisted by club friends and a hired laborer—began to prepare the shoreline. By early July, the famous semi-floating platform (previously used on the Tisa), along with the playing area and water polo goals, was installed. The water was clean and warm, which made training much easier. After practice, Milorad Kiselički could even spend another half hour shooting on goal against Zlatoje Marić.
As part of preparations for the qualifying tournament for the Serbian championship, a friendly match was played at “Banja” against PVK Bečej, ending 3:3, although Bečej was significantly stronger. Goalkeeper Zlatoje Marić stood out, and Jedinstvo came close to victory, but Živorad Berbakov missed a penalty shot one minute before the end.
City Tournament in Bečej
Following this match, Jedinstvo took part in the City Tournament in Bečej on July 7, played at the pool between sluices.
Results:
- Jedinstvo – Bečej 1:5
- Jedinstvo – Mornar (Novi Sad) 4:4
- Jedinstvo – Radnički (Kikinda) 3:4
Ilinden Tournament Appearance (1959)
At the end of the competition, it was decided that the youth representative team of Vojvodina would participate in the Ilinden Tournament in Macedonia, held on August 1–2, 1959. The previous year, Novi Sad’s Mornar had taken part in the same event. Milivoj Marić, coach of Jedinstvo, was appointed head coach of the selection team.
During July, the selected players gathered in Novi Bečej. From Jedinstvo, the following were chosen:
- Živorad Berbakov (captain)
- Zlatoje Marić (goalkeeper)
- Matić and Kiselički
From Bečej: Kister and Dražić, and from Kikinda’s Radnički: Šargin. The reserve player (and delegate) was Borivoje Ćurčić from Novi Bečej.
The team departed by train on July 29, 1959, as the coaching staff had arranged a friendly match stop in Svetozarevo (Jagodina).
Jagodina – Unusual Preparation
The hosts wanted to provide the best possible hospitality, so a few days before arrival they emptied the pool, cleaned it, and filled it with fresh cold water. However, the weather during that period was rainy and cold, and on the day of the match, the water temperature was only 16–17°C.
When the players jumped into the water for warm-up, they quickly jumped out again and started running around the pool to warm up. At the insistence of team leader Dušan Tikvić, coach, and captain, the start of the match was postponed by 30 minutes. Tea was prepared, and players used warming ointments for their hands and feet.
Just before the match, a new issue arose—Miroljub Matić could not be found. After searching the pool area and stands, he was discovered in the women’s restroom, hiding and shaking from the cold.
The Match and On-Pool Drama
The match eventually started, but problems continued. The oldest player of the Jagodina team, Mile nicknamed “Nesvest” (“Faint”), warmed up with strong local plum brandy, which gave him a noticeable smell but also made him physically dominant at center position.
At halftime, the Vojvodina players refused to continue marking him. The solution was to bring in Bora Cvejić from Novi Bečej, a reserve player and two years older than the youth team members. Cvejić was also a top-level judoka, absolute Yugoslav heavyweight champion.
After a few minutes of play and scoring a goal, Mile left the pool saying “younger players should play.” Bora also left, Matić returned, and the match was successfully completed.
Ohrid Tournament
In Ohrid, the Vojvodina youth team was warmly welcomed and played very well, achieving the following results:
- Struga – Vojvodina Youth Team 3:6
- Rabotnički (Skopje) – Vojvodina Youth Team 4:4
- Ohridski Branovi – Vojvodina Youth Team 4:3
The Ohridski Branovi team included two famous Yugoslav marathon swimmers, Niko Nestor and Diki Bojadži. In the marathon race held on Lake Ohrid, Bojadži was the winner.
Travel to Ohrid – Stop in Svetozarevo (Jagodina), 1959
From left: Marić, Ž. Berbakov, Kister (Bečej), M. Kiselički, Šargin (Radnički Kikinda), Dražić (Bečej), Matić.
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