Red Star Belgrade celebrate Champions League qualification by parking tank outside stadium

Red Star tank
Red Stat Belgrade tank

Red Star celebrated their Champions League qualification on Tuesday – by riding an armoured vehicle through the streets of Belgrade. 

The Serbian champions secured their progression to the group stage of the competition for the second season in a row, after a 1-1 draw against Young Boys took them through on away goals. 

Aleksa Vukanovic put Red Star ahead in the 59th minute, before an own goal from substitute El Fardou Mohamed Ben Nabouhane made for a nervy final nine minutes for the home side. However, Young Boys couldn't find another goal, and Red Star can now look forward to finding out their Champions League group stage opponents on Thursday. 

Prior to the match, Red Star fans had sparked controversy by placing a T-55 battle tank outside the Rajko Mitic Stadium. The BBC reported that the vehicle was unveiled with a message that read: “The Northern Army (the Red Star fans) is stronger with a combat vehicle.”

The stunt evoked strong memories of the Balkans’ violent past among the nations bordering Serbia. 

The tank has been labelled as deliberately provocative by some in Croatia and Bosnia, as it was unveiled on the anniversary of fighting beginning in the Croatian town of Vukovar during the country’s War of Independence.

Some reports claim that a group of rival Dinamo Zagreb fans responded to that act by placing a rusty tractor outside of their home ground, symbolising the flight of the Serbs on tractors after the Croatian army pushed them out of the country in 1995. 

The tank wasn’t the only military vehicle on display in Belgrade on Tuesday. Following their victory, Red Star fans and players clambered aboard an armoured car and raced around the streets of the Serbian capital, letting off a number of flares. You don't get this down the King's Road...

READ MORE

5 players who could receive their first England caps against Bulgaria or Kosovo

Revealed! The best- and worst-case European group draws for every British club this week

9 players you didn’t know had scored Premier League hat-tricks

Conor Pope
Online Editor

Conor Pope is the former Online Editor of FourFourTwo, overseeing all digital content. He plays football regularly, and has a large, discerning and ever-growing collection of football shirts from around the world.

He supports Blackburn Rovers and holds a season ticket with south London non-league side Dulwich Hamlet. His main football passions include Tugay, the San Siro and only using a winter ball when it snows.

Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed