Tadic on the civil war

“Shells were hitting all around us”

Dario Tadic talks about the civil war in the former Yugoslavia.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Dario Tadic fled the civil war in the former Yugoslavia with his family at the age of two. The striker looks back on a formative time in the "Krone".

"Fortunately, I no longer have any clear memories of that time. My family's stories are enough," says Dario Tadic. He looks back on an extremely formative time in the "Krone". The 1992 civil war in the former Yugoslavia.

"I was two years old. Shells were hitting all around us, shots were fired. My mother said I always shouted boom boom boom while there was another bang somewhere. As a child, you simply perceive things like that differently," says the now 33-year-old.

My mother said I was always shouting boom boom boom while there was another bang somewhere. As a child, you just perceive things like that differently.

Dario Tadic über seine „Erinnerungen“ an den Krieg.

To protect their lives, the Tadic family had to flee to Austria - initially without their father. "He stayed down there for another six months, it wasn't easy politically either." Dario's mother made it to Traiskirchen with him and his then eight-year-old brother. Where they immediately felt comfortable and at home. "We were given a great welcome by a foster family. I will never forget that."
Salvation in Hartberg
At the age of 16, the native Bosnian was granted Austrian citizenship. However, he still has contact with his country of origin. "We used to go down there a lot, several times a year. Nowadays, unfortunately, it's difficult to make the time."

At Hartberg, Tadic often had reason to cheer.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Tadic, who sees himself as a Pinkafelder ("my home"), went on to have a remarkable soccer career - despite all the adversity. From the Austrias academy, to the pros, to Hartberg. He found his sporting salvation in Styria, spent eight years there and was one of the most dangerous strikers in the Bundesliga.

The veteran gives his all for St. Pölten.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Today, Dario has a family of his own - and plays for St. Pölten in the 2nd division. Where he scores every 129 minutes, impressing with 13 goals in 20 games. Does this even make him modern again for higher-class clubs? "I'm happy to help the team with goals. I still have over a year left on my contract and I intend to fulfill it."