TRIBUTES AFTER MARIBOR DUO DIE IN CAR CRASH
MARIBOR were plunged into mourning last night after two of their B-team players were killed in a horror car smash — with another person left battling for life in hospital. Damjan Marjanovic and Zoran Baljak, both aged 20, lost their lives when their car spun out of control on the Trieste road on the outskirts of the city late on Monday night. Both footballers were believed to have been seated in the rear of the vehicle when the accident happened. A third man, Ljubomir Moravian, also 20, was believed to be driving the vehicle and is in a serious condition after undergoing emergency surgery. A fourth, 19-year-old Žiga Lipušcek, is understood to have escaped serious injury. Marjanovic had only just signed for Maribor from Krka. Neither player was due to be involved in the game with Aberdeen. Maribor police chief Miran Šadl said: ‘Only one vehicle was involved in the tragic accident. It’s believed it struck a traffic light. ‘Two of the passengers lost their lives at the scene while one is still struggling.’ Many of the deceased players’ team-mates visited the scene of the accident yesterday morning. Aberdeen last night expressed their condolences via social media. ‘Aberdeen Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the deaths of two young NK Maribor players earlier today,’ said a statement released on the club’s Twitter feed. Chief executive Duncan Fraser said: ‘I spoke with my counterpart Bojan Bon this afternoon and have passed on our condolences from all the Aberdeen family. ‘This puts everything into perspective. The clubs have developed an excellent relationship in the build-up to the games and we will co-operate fully with any wishes NK Maribor may have to mark this tragedy.’