STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
The 21-year-old featured in his country’s beach soccer debut after a remarkable journey through several trials.
Serbia’s top-flight debut came in the Euro Beach Soccer Cup on Friday and was a memorable and special occasion for all concerned with the sport in the country, but perhaps for one man more than most.
Filip Antic was the only player to feature having successfully come through the trials for Serbia’s national beach soccer side, beating off competition from around 150 others to represent his country in the defeat to Hungary on Friday.
It ended in a convincing 6-0 victory for the visitors but there were certainly positives for Dejan Knezevic’s side who showed defensive solidity in spells and created chances, albeit while struggling to add a cutting edge to their play.
The selection process began in May, with Antic unaware he had been signed up to participate until his brother and friends informed him they had filled in the paperwork on his behalf.
“My brother saw it on the internet, on a newspaper website, and, without telling me, he and my friends signed me up. They had faith in me,” Antic explained to Beach Soccer Worldwide.
He showed promise – despite having to adjust to playing on the sand – and was consistently asked to return for the next stage until eventually being named in the squad alongside team-mates largely selected from coach Knezevic’s contact book.
Antic cites team-mates such as former Red Star left-back Nikola Mijajlovic and ex-Lokomotiv Moscow and Koln player Nemanja Vucinevic as examples of how to play the sport but says he also looks up to Swiss international Dejan Stankovic and Portugal superstar Madjer.
Stankovic has offered his experience to help Serbia’s acclimatisation to the sport and Antic believes it has been vital as the country breaks new ground.
“There is a huge difference between football and beach soccer,” he continues. “To begin with, it is so hard to keep the ball in the air. You need a lot of technique and concentration.
“Besides that, it is much more demanding when it comes to physical performance. It is very tough, demanding. But I have watched beach soccer a lot and I try to learn from the best.
“I have had the chance to train with Dejan Stankovic, and he is an awesome player. He is so good at doing the bicycle kicks and Madjer, he is incredible too!”
After Friday’s loss, Serbia will hope to restore pride in front of some vociferous home backing this weekend and Antic, who went close to registering his nation’s first goal with a free-kick on Friday, maintains the process has been a special one for him to be part of.
“I got to know I had made the squad about ten days ago and I just felt very happy and proud,” he added.
“I am proud for what I have achieved and proud to have the opportunity to play with these professional players, who I had seen on TV and playing for great teams such as Red Star and Koln.”
And what do his brother and friends make of Antic’s selection?
“They are very happy as well. Actually, they put together a little money and told me that if I made it to the national team, I could take it… and I did!
“I’ll have to buy them some drinks.”
