BOSNIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 27th WEEK

ŽELJO JE ŠAMPIJON!   

Last week when Şiroki Brijeg had an away draw with Çelik and lost two points, the difference between Zeljo and Şiroki Brijeg have had increased to nine points. In case of a probable victory of Zeljo against Slavija at 27th week matches, which would be played by May 9, would validate the title of Zeljo three weeks before the end of the season without relying on the result of Rudar – Şiroki Brijeg match. Zeljo had 3-1 home victory against Slavija as expected and gained the fourth title since 2000 when Bosnian Premijer League was recognized by FIFA.

Hopeless Şiroki Brijeg about the title lost two more points in away match against Rudar and the difference between Şiroki Brijeg and the leader increased to eleven points.

More important than Zeljo’s successful performance especially in the second half of the season, the rivals’; Şiroki Brijeg’s, Sarajevo’s and Borac’s unexpected losses were determinant in Zeljo’s gaining the title. Ivica Osim, not only a recognized football man in Bosnia, but also in the former Yugoslavia, was assigned in the interim committee of Bosnian Football Federation last year just after the crisis of the Federation with FIFA.  For many, this is has some positive impact on Zeljo’s success as well. Ivica Osim is one of the most important figures in the annals of Zeljeznicar’s history. Not only that, but he is also the father of Amar Osim, the current trainer of Zeljeznicar! Football fans do not argue that Father Osim had a backed Zeljo, but many say that Bosnian referees who have got tendency to be easier against “home” teams were not that much easy when they were playing with Zeljo.

Next week comes Sarajevo derby. Zeljo, who is already champion, will play to prove that they deserved for the title and unfortunately because of hooliganism and incapableness of managers, the match will be played without fans of visitor team Zeljo.

Zeljo’s victory over Slavija made Slavija’s and Sloboda’s points to be the same. Because of the current ranking system, despite Sloboda had a victory over Slaviaja in the first match of the season, currently Slavija ranks over Sloboda. As we have mentioned earlier here, the determiner match will probably be the last match of the season between Slavija and Sloboda which will be played in Lukavica.

Slavija’s next matches:

Zvijezda

Borac (away)

Sloboda

Sloboda’s next matches:

GOŞK (away)

Velez

Slavija (away)

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 27th week are as follow:

FK Sarajevo: 2 – Zrinjski Mostar: 0

FK Slavija: 2 – Olimpik Sarajevo: 2

Çelik Zenica: 0 – Şiroki Brijeg: 0

FK Kozara: 1 – NK Travnik: 2

Leotar Trebinje: 1 – Rudar Prijedor: 0

Sloboda Tuzla: 0 – Borac Banja Luka: 1

Velez Mostar: 1 – Zeljeznicar: 2

GOŞK Gabela: 2 – Zvijezda Gradaçac: 1

Standings of the teams by the end of 26th week:

(Source: www.nfsbih.ba)

Next Week’s Schedule (Week 28: May, 12, 15:30):

Çelik – Rudar

Şiroki Brijeg – Travnik

Leotar – Zrinjski

Kozara – Olimpik

Sarajevo – Zeljeznicar

Slavija – Zvijezda

Velez – Borac

GOŞK – Sloboda