The Serbian under-20 football team spent time with fans in Dunedin's Octagon yesterday to thank them for a ''perfect experience'' during the Fifa Under-20 World Cup.
Serbia played all three of its group matches in Dunedin, and has been overwhelmed by the support.
Captain Ranjkovic Predrag (19) said his side had loved being based in the city.
''Dunedin is a beautiful city, and the people have been great. The whole experience here so far has been perfect,'' he said.
The team's love for Dunedin and its people is not one-sided.
Locals have followed the side's progress with interest.
John McGlashan College pupils, and keen football fans, Alex Thomson and George Sinclair (both 15) have been impressed with the way Serbia has played.
''We've been to all of Serbia's games so far, and they have been really good to watch,'' they said.
''They have been so disciplined and organised. Individually, they didn't have the most exciting players but when they played together as a team it was really awesome to watch.''
Holly Parata (17) has attended two out of Serbia's three games in Dunedin and noted how well everyone had responded to having a relatively unknown side in town.
Serbian coach Veljko Paunovic addressed the crowd, and thanked them for all of their support.
But not before asking one last favour of Dunedin people: to support them in their round of 16 showdown with Hungary this afternoon.
- Ollie Ritchie
