FIVE ON FIVE: ANTE TONKO MIROČEVIĆ: It is better to be first in a village than second at Rome

The captain of the Olympic team of Yugoslavia keeps in his heart a place for the YFC Titograd, Budućnost, and as a boy he loved Partizan!
We have booked today’s MOZZART humanitarian ticket at noon for the legendary Montenegrin footballer Anto Miročević. Born in Podgorica he started his career at the YFC Titograd, gained recognition in Budućnost, and spent three years on the Island as a member of Sheffield. He stayed at Jackie Charlton’s mansion, being received with splendour. At that time, the players from this part of the world like Pižon, Golc, Borot, Mužinić, Katalinić, were absolutely drawing the Englishmen’s attention. Even then the path of an athlete from smaller clubs led through the Big Four. Due to certain circumstances, he didn’t go to the great clubs of that era which used to pay less than Olimpija, Rijeka, Čelik… From his playing career, he gladly looks back on the Cup Final at the crowded Marakana and the defeat by Hajduk, but also a duel with Zvezda. He also recalls that it was easier to become a part of the elite than to remain in the strongest league. Tonko’s generation managed to do that for a whole decade. Genije Savićević succeeded Miročević in Budućnost. Miročević is reported to be the first Montenegrin footballer who played for the “A” national team of former Yugoslavia. He was the captain of the Olympic team of that time in Moscow.
A true athlete who gladly answered the Mozzart Sport’s questions.

1.Did you practice any other sport in the past and which one?

“I’m not going to be falsely modest, as a boy I was versatile. I did gymnastics and I was the champion of Montenegro. Also, I played table tennis and was vice champion of republic of that time. I also had a talent for handball, but football and boxing were the most popular sports at that time. That is why me too found myself in football”.

2.Who used to be your sports model, idol in your teens?

“Sister Anna, who was the eldest amongst four of us children and the top athlete. She played handball for Belgrade’s Radnički too, she was the state champion and vice-champion in table tennis, in athletics. We were absorbing everything from her, learning and she was our role model. ”

3.Which sports club do you carry in the fan’s heart of yours?

“Of course, it is the YFC Titograd where I started my football career. The club where you make the first steps you never forget, but there is also Budućnost where I gained recognition. I was the first Montenegrin in the national team of that time of Yugoslavia, but also the first Montenegrin player who immediately pursued his career abroad. As children, all of us suppoted one of the clubs of the Big Four, I supported Partizan”.

4. A sporting event that remained in your memory and that you’ll remember all of your life?

“Yes, there were many events and matches. For instance the one vs. Zvezda when we were losing 4:0 and reached the score of 4: 3. I scored one goal and then lobbed the goalkeeper, but the ball hit the crossbar and then the referee gave the sign for the end of the match”.

5. A life and sports motto?

“Even then the rule was applied ‘It is better to be first in a village than second at Rome”.

IZVOR: MOZZART SPORT

Nela i Đurđe Mečanin
Djurdje. mecanin@mozzartbet.com