Pro-government says Crvena zvezda can become European judo champion in Champions League final

Pro-government says Crvena zvezda can become European judo champion in Champions League final
Crvena zvezda’s judo team has reached the Champions League final after advancing through two knockout victories, setting up a rematch with Paris Saint-Germain in this season’s title decider. The final will be held in Paris, with PSG serving as host.

The Serbian club received a bye in the opening round before defeating ACBB Boulogne 4–3. It then overcame Nice Métropole 4–1 to secure its place in the final. The result recreates the 2025 championship matchup, when Crvena zvezda and PSG also contested the trophy in Belgrade.

Ivan Todorov, president of the Judo Federation of Serbia and vice-president of the European Judo Union, congratulated the team on its qualification. He said Crvena zvezda had “once again confirmed its quality” by reaching the final and predicted “an exciting match” against PSG. Todorov added that the club had a “great probability” of becoming European champions.

The squad includes Marica Perišić and Mina Gačić in the under-57-kilogram category; Nuana Silva and Dunja Vukićević in the under-70s; Milica Žabić above 78 kilograms; Bajsangur Nagayev, Hidayat Heydarov and Vukašin Sokić in the under-73s; Nemanja Majdov, Boris Rutović and Mihajlo Simin in the under-90s; and Zelim Kocojev, Vidak Maljević and Lazar Ždrale above 90 kilograms.

The team is coached by Ljubiša Majdov, Bojan Došen and Andrija Đurišić. With the venue now favoring PSG, Crvena zvezda will seek to turn its latest qualification into a different result in the repeat final.