The British School of Brussels campus was alive with respectful celebration and community spirit on 4 & 5 April as it hosted the 2025 Matija Šarkić Memorial Tournament – a heartfelt tribute to a beloved former student, professional footballer, and friend to many. What began as an ambitious idea developed into a truly special event, one that brought together young athletes, families, and football fans from across Belgium and the UK to celebrate not just the beautiful game, but the enduring spirit of community, friendship and respect that Matija embodied.
The tournament’s opening day was reserved for the BSB community and the Šarkić family, creating an intimate and reflective atmosphere for the first matches. Friday’s schedule also gave the BSB boys team the chance to shine, and the home side did not disappoint – securing a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and a 1-0 win against Birmingham City in their exciting exhibition matches. The home crowd – made up predominantly of students and staff from BSB on their lunch breaks – created a celebratory and supportive atmosphere, setting the tone for the weekend games to come.
Saturday saw the campus transform as supporters from all participating clubs and members of the wider BSB community arrived, filling the grounds with a vibrant buzz as the festival of football continued under an unseasonably warm April sun. The air was thick with anticipation, but also with a sense of togetherness. Spectators, players, and coaches mingled, shared stories, and cheered for every team – proving once again that football has the power to unite.
From the outset, the tournament was marked by an atmosphere of mutual respect. Teams from both Belgium and England – Royal Antwerp, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Millwall, Standard de Liège, RSC Anderlecht and Oud-Heverlee Leuven – competed vigorously but fairly. Coaches and players alike were commended for their positive conduct, with each match played at a high level and in the true spirit of sportsmanship.
A particularly touching gesture came from Aston Villa’s young players, who each created an A4 document about Matija’s life – a testament to the impact he had on everyone he met. Anderlecht also paid their own tribute by presenting the Šarkić family with a signed shirt, while the Wolves team wore shirts bearing Matija’s name, and every club who agreed to participate and all their players were praised for their conduct throughout the event.
The organisation behind the tournament was nothing short of remarkable. Staff, students, and parents volunteered their time and energy, ensuring that every detail – from meals for the teams to the smooth running of the matches – was handled with care.
The event’s success was a collective achievement, with gratitude expressed to everyone involved, from the school administration to the families who came out to support. It was the culmination of hard and dedicated work, inspired by Matija’s brother Danilo, a football and Enrichment coach at BSB, who conceived the idea many months ago and who – along with many committed colleagues and friends – lived and breathed the tournament until its final whistle blew.
On the pitches, the format ensured excitement for all: eight teams split into two groups, with the top teams advancing to the Cup competition and others contesting the Plate award. This structure guaranteed competitive football for every participant, and the level of play was matched only by the camaraderie off the pitch.
The tournament culminated in a joyful and moving presentation ceremony, where trophies and medals were awarded to the winners and runners-up of both Cup and Plate competitions by Matija’s father Bojan and members of the BSB staff. Royal Antwerp emerged as overall champions, their skill and determination earning them well-deserved applause. Individual excellence was also recognised, with an all-star team and the Matija Šarkić Goalkeeper of the Tournament selected by a panel of coaches.
But beyond the medals and trophies, the true victory was the spirit of unity and remembrance. The event was a powerful tribute to Matija, whose legacy continues to inspire not just those who knew him, but an entire community brought together by his memory. “The tournament was played at a very high level, with many different styles on show and most importantly… with respect,” Danilo said. “Matija, I hope we did you proud with this special event, as proud as I was every time you walked onto the pitch and stood between the goal posts”.
The Matija Šarkić Memorial Tournament was a prime example of how BSB harnesses the spirit of community to create meaningful events. Together with friends old and new, the BSB community and all those who attended from near and far honoured Matija in the best way possible: by coming together, competing with heart, and showing the power of respect and togetherness.
Here’s to many more years of the Matija Šarkić Memorial Tournament, wherever it is played, and to the enduring legacy of a young man who left his mark wherever he went.
The BSB community can be truly proud.