On the road to Montevideo

In nine episodes, we follow the journey of our national team to Uruguay, which began by train from Belgrade through Croatia, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, all the way to the French port of Marseille, where they boarded the ocean liner Florida to continue their voyage to Montevideo.

The journey of our national football team begins by train to Marseille, which will later continue by ship to Uruguay. The players and the management settle into the train, unaware that little Stanoje is hiding there, trying not to be noticed by the conductors. Živković is worried about the players’ behavior. The team holds a small celebration with a roasted pig prepared for them by Gazda (Boss) Rajko. Tirke separates himself from the others to write a love letter to Rosa, with Dunster giving him advice. Meanwhile, in Čubura, Gazda Rajko organizes a farewell celebration for the footballers. Rosa is sad because of Tirke’s departure. The players arrive in Croatia, where two local pickpockets unexpectedly join them… The journey continues with singing and merrymaking…

The train carrying our football delegation suddenly stops so that Baroness Helena Klodovska and her mother, escorted by the gendarmerie, can board. Confusion arises on the train because of the two attractive ladies. Živković and Hadži try in every possible way to win the Baroness’s favor, but she will show affection toward someone else. The footballers improvise a Spanish course together to better prepare for their stay in Uruguay. The two pickpocket passengers gain the trust of little Stanoje, who is still hiding in the train’s mail car. Živković’s bag full of money disappears… Meanwhile, in Čubura, a bus arrives for the first time, causing great joy and curiosity among the neighbors, but also Gazda Boća’s carelessness, which nearly costs him his life. Eli comes to Rosa and invites her to go with her to the seaside, which Rosa has never seen in her life.

The worry and despair of the football management over the missing bag full of money even calls into question the continuation of the journey to Montevideo. On top of that, a new problem arises when it is discovered that little Stanoje has set off on the trip without anyone’s consent, without documents or a ticket, raising the dilemma of whether to send Tirke’s lucky charm back to Belgrade. After the Baroness Helena shows affection for Dunster, we actually uncover his great secret from the past… Meanwhile, in Čubura, Rosa’s father Jovica suddenly arrives with the intention of taking her with him and returning her to the village to marry her off. His decision deeply affects Rosa, as well as Gazda Rajko and his wife Đurđa…

The train stops in Liechtenstein, where the passengers will spend the night. That evening, everyone spends their time in their own way: the players in camaraderie, Andrejka in interesting company with the older Baroness, and Moša in a new love affair. Boža Dunster makes up for lost time in his relationship with his old love, Baroness Helena, which puts him through great torment and close to the decision not to continue the journey to Montevideo. Meanwhile, in Čubura, Gazda Rajko and his wife Đurđa suffer greatly because of Rosa’s departure, until Eli’s father, Mr. Friedrich Pops, appears with unexpected news. A miracle of technology—the telephone—arrives in Čubura, but not to barber Bogdan, as he had requested, rather to Gazda Rajko…

At that time, our only professional footballer playing in French clubs, the famous Ivica Bek, who answered the call to be part of the national team, welcomes our squad at the station in France. He joins them as reinforcement for the team on their journey to Montevideo for the First FIFA World Cup. The train journey ends in Marseille, where the ocean liner Florida is anchored in the port. A problem arises on how to smuggle little Stanoje onto the ship, but the players come up with an ingenious idea… Everyone is fascinated by the enormous vessel on which they will continue their journey, boarding with excitement and settling into their cabins. Meanwhile, Rosa is at the seaside in Kotor with Eli, where she has an unexpected encounter.

Our players spend their first evening on the ocean liner Florida, on the way to Montevideo, which is carrying many passengers from different parts of the world. During dinner, the footballers draw the attention of an American passenger. Ivica Bek sees himself as the star compared to his teammates and flirts with a beautiful and provocative American woman. That evening, a storm begins, bringing severe weather at sea, which makes most of the passengers feel sick. A little girl inspires little Stanoje to write her the most beautiful love letter. The next day, at the crack of dawn, our national team has their first training session to prepare for the upcoming Championship. Meanwhile, in Čubura, a misunderstanding arises between Rajko and Bogdan over Rajko’s desire to organize a wedding for Rosa, while she is enjoying herself with her new friend Eli in Kotor.

On the journey to Montevideo aboard the ocean liner Florida, the footballers train on deck and engage in games, attracting the attention of passengers and crew. Dunster introduces the team to the old game “rotten mares,” joined by Archie, an American football enthusiast, with unexpected results. Little Stanoje grows sad when his love letter goes unanswered, while Tirke, Moša, and Milutinac try to cheer him up. The players also play a prank on Ivica Bek, who continues to see himself as the team’s star. Back in Čubura, Gazda Rajko learns about Tirke’s feelings for Rosa, and he and his wife Đurđa have already begun preparations for her wedding—although Tirke’s mother is unaware of any of this. Rosa returns to Belgrade from the seaside with her new experiences.

With the ninth episode of the TV series On the Way to Montevideo, the series concludes, depicting the journey of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia’s national football team from Belgrade to Montevideo for the First World Cup… However, that is only the beginning…