The locker room of the Milvola training center has a special place - emotional and proud at the same time. In that place, from which it is Matija Sarkić used to go to trainings, now the goalkeeper's jersey with the number 20 stands as a sign that the Montenegrin goalkeeper never left his teammates.
- It is a reminder that he is still a part of us and that he will be forever - he said Jake Cooper.
That gesture and those words of the Milvol defender perhaps best describe how the life of the "lions" continued after the sudden death of their and our goalkeeper.
On that occasion, "Atletik" visited Millvolo's "den" and through conversations with people who were so close to Šarkić, discovered what mark the Montenegrin goalkeeper left in South-East London.
They won't define you as footballers, but they will as men
The story of Matija and Milvolo, the sports supplement of the "New York Times" began by recalling the sad June morning, when the news from Budva shocked the football world.
- When your phone rings at six in the morning on Saturdays, as a parent and coach, you know that something was not right. Either the number is wrong or it's bad news - he says Neil Harris, coach Milvola.
He was on the other side of the line Andy Marshall, Milvola's goalkeeper coach, the man who coached Šarkić back when our goalkeeper arrived at Aston Villa as a skinny teenager.
- Mother - Marshal told me, and after I asked him what he did, he only added:
- Mati passed away.
Hard hours followed for Haris - he lost the boy he loved, and everything had to be communicated to the players. He says he spent the whole day next to the phone.
It was the rest days after the end of the season, and a few weeks later, everyone finally got together - the first match of the Championship against Watford "broke hearts", it was in Matija's honor.
- Coach Harris then stood in front of everyone and told them: This will not define you as football players, but it will define you as men - recalled Marshall.
We will remember him as he was - great
Haris goes on to describe the last hours and minutes before the first match of the season.
- I said: Let's remember Matija as he was - a great teammate and friend. It's okay to cry and laugh, no one will judge anyone.
The response of the players at that moment was special.
- They told me: Matija's wish would be to see a smile on our faces and to enjoy ourselves. We will never forget him and we want to play this game and season in his honor.
Millwall failed to overcome Watford in a match of emotions - they were defeated 3:2.
- Perhaps the circumstances affected the outcome, but it was important to show respect to Matija and his family who were at the game and for whom we knew how difficult it was - it was important for them to see how special Šarkic is to this club - explained Kuper .
Coach Haris does not hide that he had a sick feeling for hours after the game.
- I thought we let him down, but at one point I realized that we said goodbye to Matija in a beautiful way and that we showed how much he was loved - emphasized Haris.
Matija's life could not have been better
Andy Marshall always had a special place in Matija's life, as his coach, but also more than that... He came to Turkey and Spain to work with him individually, he watched Sarkić's unforgettable match against Belgium a few days before his death, and his presence and buried in Montenegro.
- We booked a flight on Sunday, arrived on Monday morning, and later that day Matija was buried. Everything was so fast and too hard. He had a great match against Belgium, was at his brother's wedding, enjoyed his vacation - he couldn't have had a better life - described Marshall.
Just as Montenegro is looking for its first victory after Matija's departure, so Milvol struggled for a long time, but much more important than the results of this season is that the "lions" showed in the right way that Matija will always live on "Den".
The retired number 20 and the large mural at the stadium will always remind everyone of Matija's sincere smile, the kind of man and player he was.
Bonus video:
