Instantly recognisable because of his unique hair style, Zaric plays with passion and motivation which is infectious. But more importantly, how did the hair get into its current state? He takes up the story...

“My father has hair like this and I love it so now I'm a mini Zaric,” he explained. “Most people tell me I look like the Chelsea and Brazil footballer David Luiz and I like him. However, the players all call me Tarzan and I like it.”

Football was not for him though, and after initially playing Volleyball with the opposite sex, Zaric found himself somewhere to compete.

“I started playing with girls three years ago and my coach knew a boys' club and sent me there. I played there for two years. I'm from a little town near Belgrade.”

The Konya hotel that the teams are staying in features a big piano in the lobby and in the first few days Zaric was spotted as he showed off his other talent. 

Coldplay songs were noticeable as the delicate notes filled the front of the hotel and Zaric enjoys playing multiple instruments alongside his main sporting passion.

“I studied and played music at school,” he added. “I play the guitar but I am mixing music now. I play the piano badly (he laughs). It helps me to relax but I also listen to heavy metal. We listen to music in our hotel rooms. Mainly pop music or hip hop and R&B. Either that or some Serbian music.”

In terms of his ambitions at his first continental competition he wants to reach the semi-finals as a minimum, while oddly for a youngster he doesn't have an idol. 

“Russia are the best team I think or Italy, and of course us,” he concluded. “I don't have a favourite player. I'm just myself. I'm good at jumping and screaming. They call me the animal.”