Grafičar’s Nerve Holds in Nervy Relegation Scramble: Stepojevac Vaga Left Searching After Costly Home Defeat

There was no escaping the tension at Stadion Bežanija on Friday afternoon, where both Stepojevac Vaga and Grafičar arrived carrying the burden of their underwhelming seasons—each desperate for the kind of result that breathes life into troubled campaigns. When the final whistle pierced the autumn air, it was Grafičar, perhaps the least expected of heroes, who departed with a 1-0 victory and a precious three points that reorders the lower reaches of Serbia’s Prva Liga table.

For Stepojevac Vaga, who have now collected just one point from their last four outings, the defeat at home was not merely a setback; it was a warning flare in a season that once again threatens to descend into a protracted battle for survival.

A Cautious Opening, a Decisive Turn

Both teams set out warily, with Grafičar acutely aware that defeat would see them marooned at the bottom. Early phases were marked not by creative flair but by nerves: mistimed passes, tentative advances, and a sense—on both benches—that a single mistake might define the afternoon.

That mistake came in the 68th minute. With the match deadlocked and tension ratcheting upward in the Bežanija stands, Grafičar carved out the breakthrough. Driving down the right, a substitute winger capitalized on a defensive lapse, whipping in a low ball that eluded Vaga’s recovering center-backs. The finish was crisp—tucked neatly into the bottom corner past the outstretched arms of the home goalkeeper. The scorer, whose name was not listed on match reports at press time, became an instant protagonist in Grafičar’s season, delivering his side’s first win in over a month.

From there, the match shifted into a different gear. Stepojevac, previously composed in midfield, surged forward in search of a lifeline. Yet Grafičar, buoyed by their sudden advantage, dug deep and defended with an organization that belied their recent record—a collective stubbornness sorely lacking in prior weeks.

Recent Form Casts a Long Shadow

Stepojevac Vaga’s unraveling in recent fixtures loomed over the proceedings. For a side that not long ago dispatched FAP 2-0 at home, their autumn has been one of regression: a 1-4 away defeat at OFK Vršac, a limp 0-1 loss at FK Trayal, and a dispiriting home draw against Dubočica when three points were there for the taking. Today, despite moments of industry—particularly from the wings and a late flurry of set pieces—Vaga never looked certain of breaching a determined Grafičar defense.

Grafičar, meanwhile, had endured a winless five-match stretch (three losses, two draws), a run that had dropped them to 14th and left their campaign teetering. On this evidence, their ability to seize moments—rather than dominate matches—may be their most valuable attribute in the months ahead.

Table Stakes and Season Implications

With this result, Grafičar leapfrogs Stepojevac Vaga, climbing to 13th on 15 points, while Vaga slip to 14th, frozen on 13 points after 12 matches. The reversal at the foot of the table is more than symbolic: with both teams separated by a single point coming into the match, the winner stood to gain critical separation in the relegation battle. Now, Grafičar can look ahead with cautious optimism, while Stepojevac Vaga must confront their slide in both form and spirit.

A Contest of Margins

There were no red cards issued, but the encounter was not short of contentious moments. The referee was called upon to calm tempers on multiple occasions, particularly following the decisive goal, as Vaga’s frustrations boiled over. The home side came closest to equalizing late on—a thunderous header skimmed the bar in the 83rd minute—but Grafičar’s goalkeeper, a picture of late-game composure, marshaled his defense through the final stretches.

Neither team boasts a storied head-to-head history of recent consequence, but the subtext of proximity on the league table and shared struggles lent every duel a heightened significance. Both sides seemed acutely aware that a single lapse could tip the season’s balance.

What Comes Next

For Stepojevac Vaga, the path forward is fraught with urgency. Another defeat would see them drift further into the mire, raising questions about their squad’s depth and tactical direction. Home matches, once a source of security, now feel like occasions for anxiety rather than assurance.

Grafičar, on the other hand, leave Bežanija with more than just points—they have a statement win in a season otherwise pockmarked by disappointment. Yet caution remains their ally: they have not yet strung together back-to-back victories this campaign, and survival in the Prva Liga is never assured.

In a league where margins are thin and the stakes are unforgiving, today’s result stands as a reminder: in the Prva Liga’s bottom half, resilience is as valuable as talent, and the smallest of victories can realign the fate of a season. Stepojevac Vaga must now rediscover theirs, while Grafičar’s reward is a brief—but vital—respite from the storm.