The young men from the gymnastics club Soko were delighted and organized the first football match in Serbia‚ close to Kalemegdan Park in Belgrade‚ on 19 May 1896. Three years later‚ there was the first football field in Košutnjak Park.” “What was the name of our first football club?” “Young hard-working man Hugo Buli and his friends established the First Serbian Football Society at the restaurant Trgovačka kafana and so the first football club Šumadija appeared in Kragujevac in 1903.” “Oh‚” said Joe‚ “my mind is reeling with all these numbers now! Grandpa‚ you’re like an encyclopedia! Tell me something–why do they say that out of all unimportant things in the world‚ football is the most important?” “It’s because over 250 million people in the world play football every day‚” he explained. All of a sudden‚ Joe became sad. “It’s not exactly 250 million.” “How so?” his granddad didn’t understand. “Well‚ I’m not playing it because of this rain today!”
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“You’re still too young for that. When you get a bit older…” Joe got out of his granddad’s hug and started protesting‚ “I’m old enough! Look how big I am!” Grandma peeked out of the kitchen. She always heard everything. “Why don’t you take him to your friend Grumpy?” she asked. “I guess he’s still a coach in Flying Stars.” “Well‚ I’m not so sure‚” he said with some hesitation in his voice. “Stop acting silly! You know all that is going on in that club!” Joe’s grandma was determined not to give up. His granddad closed the newspaper and stood up. “You’re right! Grumpy is a good friend of mine and an excellent football coach. Let’s go to him immediately. Why didn’t I get this idea before?” “Hooray!” Joe was thrilled. “Yes‚ sure‚” she remarked with a smile‚ “you’ve been planning this since Joe was born!” “What’s going on here?” Dad asked‚ entering the house with his hands full of groceries. “I’m going to join a football club; Granddad’s taking me there!” Joe explained. “Well‚ not exactly‚” his granddad said. “I’m taking you to see a real football stadium and meet some football players. We’ll see what’s next…” 12
“He’s too small to practice football‚” Dad responded cautiously. “I am not!” Joe strongly disapproved. “Look‚ I’m three times taller than the ball!” “OK then‚” Dad smiled‚ “you may go but make sure you come back for lunch!”
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“Take an umbrella with you‚” Grandma couldn’t help saying. “Uh-huh‚” muttered Granddad. “Who on earth takes an umbrella when going to practice?” “I’m not supposed to play football with an umbrella in my hand‚ right?” Joe was astounded. “Don’t worry; you are not. I’ll show you what every football player must have in his bag‚” his granddad said. And while Joe was having breakfast‚ he quickly packed all that was necessary for him–a waterproof jacket‚ a bottle of water‚ an extra pair of socks‚ and a T-shirt. “Where are your football boots?” Granddad asked. “Oops!” said Dad‚ who got awaken all of a sudden. “We forgot to buy them. We’ll get them next week. He may wear sneakers today.” “Hmm‚” Granddad muttered again. “Who plays football in sneakers?” “And what will they do there?” Mom was curious. “They will learn how to kick‚ dribble‚ do double pass…” “What do you mean by double pass?” Grandma asked again. “I won’t let anyone change the way my boy walks or make him take double steps!” “Hurry up‚ Grandpa‚” Joe jumped to his feet. “We’re going to be late!” “I’ll spill some water for luck!” Grandma said and 22
splashed a glass of water down the stairs. “Let’s run from here before we drown!” Joe’s granddad made a joke as they were hurrying toward the entrance door.
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