The friendship between Delije, the ultras of Red Star Belgrade, and Gate 7, the legendary supporters of Olympiacos, is widely regarded as one of the longest-lasting and strongest alliances in European football culture. Built on mutual respect, shared traditions, and decades of unwavering support, the relationship has endured for nearly forty years and remains one of the most iconic friendships in the ultras world.
The story began in 1986 when Red Star Belgrade travelled to Athens to face Panathinaikos in European competition. During that match, a group of Olympiacos supporters made their way to meet Delije, marking the very first contact between the two fan groups. What started as a simple meeting quickly developed into a close friendship. In the years that followed, Gate 7 helped Delije obtain supporter equipment and materials, while Red Star fans regularly travelled to Piraeus to attend Olympiacos matches and strengthen the growing bond.
The friendship became widely known in 1992 when Red Star once again faced Panathinaikos in Athens. During the match, Gate 7 displayed a banner reading "Good Luck Red Star – Gate 7", openly supporting the Serbian club inside the stadium of Olympiacos' biggest rivals. The banner provoked an angry reaction from Panathinaikos supporters, while Delije responded by chanting "Olympiacos, Olympiacos", making their alliance impossible to ignore.
Following the lifting of international sanctions against Yugoslav clubs in 1994, Red Star's first international match was a friendly against Olympiacos at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade. Before kick-off, Delije unveiled a massive banner reading "Welcome Orthodox Brothers", welcoming their Greek friends. One year later, Olympiacos supporters returned the gesture during another friendly match in Athens, further cementing the relationship between the two groups.
Since then, Red Star and Olympiacos flags have become a familiar sight at both stadiums. Gate 7 banners regularly appear at the Rajko Mitić Stadium, while Red Star colours can often be seen at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. Visits between the two groups have become a tradition, whether for domestic fixtures, European away matches, or important anniversaries.
Over the years, both groups have travelled across Europe to support one another. Delije have visited Olympiacos during European matches against clubs such as Juventus in Turin and AS Monaco, while Gate 7 supporters have travelled to watch Red Star in Switzerland against Young Boys and even attended Red Star basketball games in Germany. One of the most memorable visits came in 2004 when Delije attended the fierce Athens derby between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos alongside their Greek friends.
The alliance has long extended beyond football. Members of both groups frequently meet during basketball games, supporter tournaments and ultras gatherings. In 2025, Delije and Gate 7 celebrated forty years of friendship, highlighting the remarkable longevity of a relationship that has survived changing generations and the evolution of European football culture.
The friendship is often referred to as the "Orthodox Brothers" alliance, reflecting the shared Orthodox Christian heritage of Serbia and Greece, as well as the similar red and white colours worn by both clubs. In later years, Spartak Moscow's Fratria also became closely connected with the alliance, creating one of the best-known friendships within European ultras culture.
While many ultras alliances disappear after only a few years, the bond between Delije and Gate 7 has remained strong for almost four decades. Through countless stadium visits, European away trips, choreographies, and mutual support, the friendship has become a symbol of loyalty, tradition, and respect. Today, it stands as one of the most recognised and enduring international ultras friendships in football history.