A Wolves Academy team honoured Matija Sarkic at an international memorial tournament in Belgium recently.
The Wolves youngsters impressed both on and off the pitch as they joined other top clubs who Sarkic represented, in a tribute to the late goalkeeper who passed away last year.
A young Wolves side took part in a moving international tournament in Belgium earlier this month to honour the life and legacy of former goalkeeper Sarkic. The two-day event, hosted by the British School of Brussels (BSB) brought academy squads from clubs Sarkic represented during his career in England and Belgium.
Wolves, Aston Villa, Millwall, Birmingham City, Anderlecht, Royal Antwerp, Oud-Heverlee Leuven, and Standard Liege joined together for a celebration of Sarkic’s spirit, talent and impact, both on the pitch and within the communities he impacted.
Sarkic, who passed away suddenly in June 2024 at the age of 26, left a lasting mark on those around him. A former student of BSB, his legacy was commemorated not only through football but through the unity and respect displayed throughout the tournament.
Wolves made a strong impression in Belgium, both in performance and professionalism. After departing Compton Park on 3rd April and flying to Brussels, the players kicked off their tournament with a trio of victories on day one.
Wolves beat Aston Villa 2-1, before a 1-0 win over Standard Liege and a dominant 5-0 victory against Anderlecht. Day two saw two closely contested 1-1 draws with Royal Antwerp and Millwall, both of which ended in penalty shootout losses. Wolves finished fourth overall, but the results were far from the event's main focus.
Three players from the squad were recognised as part of the top 12 overall performers of the tournament: goalkeeper Zach Trinder, who also received the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award and a pair of elite-level Jose Sa gloves, Justin Fesyuk and Jemyron Duncan.
Off the pitch, the players were equally praised. Staff and tournament organisers highlighted their conduct and attitude throughout the trip. “For me, I’m not about the football,” said Natalie Scates, player care representative for Wolves. “Being the player care, the lads are my sort of thing. The pride, honestly, I was just taken aback because I know they were good lads.”
Wolves’ commitment to honouring Sarkic went beyond just performances. The squad wore jerseys with ‘Sarkic’ printed on the back, and a signed goalkeeper shirt, autographed by first-team players, was presented to Sarkic’s parents by captain Treyvaughan Touray.
“The family were quite taken aback by our shirts,” said Scates. “Dan, Matija’s brother, got a bit emotional when he saw it.” The gesture resonated deeply with the Sarkic family, who had invited Wolves to be part of the occasion. For the club, it was more than football.
“We thought it was a really good way to celebrate and reflect, and to be a part of this memorial would be great,” said Scates. “It was really important to show our feelings to the family, and that he's not forgotten, and to continue to promote his legacy.
“The tournament concluded with a formal presentation and group photo, closing what was both an emotional and uplifting experience. The Wolves staff and players returned home proud, not just of their performances, but of the way they carried themselves throughout.”
By Rony Omar
