BOSNIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 26th WEEK

(Click here for the original Turkish text in Haber Boşnak, published May 8, 2012.)
(8 Mayıs 2012 tarihinde Haber Boşnak'ta yayınlanan özgün metin için buraya tıklayınız)

While Zeljo’s championship title is more or less certain in the Bosnian Premijer League, the struggle at the bottom of the league continues.

(photo: Oslobodjenje)

Since Şiroki Brijeg lost two points with an away 0-0 draw against Çelik, the difference between Zeljo and Şiroki Brijeg ibncreased to nine points by Zeljo’s away victory against Velez. Zeljo will be playing with Slavija at May 9, Wednesday and in case of a probable victory, they can announce title three weeks before the end of the season.

On the other side, Slavija does not seems to be playing easy in this match. They were the most relevant candidate of relegation since the beginning of the season. However, keeping up a a brilliant performance in the second half of the season Slavija rescued itself from relegation line. They had a 2-2 home draw against Olimpik last weekend, but since Sloboda lost at home against Borac, the difference between Slavija and Sloboda increased to three points.

This week Slavija will play a difficult away match against Zeljo, where as Sloboda may gain three points from home match against Çelik and the points will be equalized. As we mentioned last week, Sloboda’s remaining matches are relatively easier than that of Slavija’s. But the determiner match will be the last week’s Slavija-Sloboda match which will be played in Lukavica.

Slavija’s next matches:

Zeljeznicar (away)

Zvijezda

Borac (away)

Sloboda

Sloboda’s next matches:

Çelik

GOŞK (away)

Velez

Slavija (away)

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 26th 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.rezultati.com)

Next Week’s Schedule (Week 27: May, 9):

Sloboda – Çelik

Borac – GOŞK

Zvijezda – Velez

Zeljo – Slavija

Olimpik – Sarajevo

Zrinjski – Kozra

Travnik – Leotar

Rudar – Şiroki Brijeg

FK NOVI PAZAR

Last week we could not be so certain about Novi Pazar’s salvation from relegation, despite the six points difference between Pazar and Borac. There are two reasons for that: Firstly, Pazar can lose very so to say easy matches, and may be victorous in very difficult ones and in that sense very difficult to predict. Secondly, football is never only only football in Balkans, which we know it very well especially looking at OFK Beograd’s easy defeats against those teams who are struggling to keep away from relegation line.

This week, while Pazar lost  3-0 away match against Sloboda Uzice, the good news came from Beograd. Rad, which we did not expect them to play well against rival of Pazar, had a home victory against Borac and with Pazar’s better results against Borac, despite having the same points it is certain that Pazar will not be relegated.

(Source: www.utakmica.rs)

Now, the issue for Pazar is how they will define next season’s target, since they fulfilled this year’s for staing in the Super Liga. The new players added to the squad will more or less show club’s intentions for the next season.

BOSNIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 24th WEEK

(Click here and here for the original Turkish text in Haber Boşnak, published May 1, 2012.)

(1 Mayıs 2012 tarihinde Haber Boşnak'ta yayınlanan özgün metin için buraya ve buraya tıklayınız)

Zeljeznicar and Şiroki Brijeg are not only rivals in the Bosnian Premijer League, but they also struggle for the title of Bosnian Cup.

Last Wednesday, the first leg of the Bosnian Cup final was played and Zeljo had a 1-0 home victory with the goal scored by Skara. The second match will be played in Şiroki Brijeg and we will see if 1-0 home victory will be enough for Zeljo.

24th week was characterized by victories of three goals, which did not make any change at the peak of the league. Both Zeljo and Şiroki Brijeg had victories and conserved their rankings as the first and second teams.

The surprise home defeat of Borac against Zvijezda made it more difficult for them to struggle for European cups. Another surprising result was the away 3-0 defeat of Olimpik in Gabela. With this result, Olimpik who as slowly but surely approaching the pot for playing European cups is injured badly. Zrinjski, another team approaching for right to be in European struggle was defeated in Mostar Derby against Velez.

Without doubt, the Mostar Derby did not have any effect for the struggle at the top of the league, neither it affected the bottom ranks, but in the name of the Bosnian football legacy, Mostar Derby was the most important match of the week.

The Velez – Zrinjski derby is not only a simple city derby. Zrinjski was banned during Tito regime because of their sportive support to Nazi puppet Ustashi regime during the World War II.

They were re-established again during the collapse of Yugoslavia. The first action they did was to rent Velez’s Stadium Biİjini Brijeg for 49 years from the administration of Croat Defense Union, who occupied West Mostar (and shelled famous Mostar bridge) during the Bosnian War 1992-1995. 

For Velez, with a claim of being the team of the whole city, in spite of Zrinjski representing only the Bosnian Croats of Mostar, the 3-1 victory against Zrinjski, as a result of a good football played under sharp Herzegovinian sun was of importance. (Poster photo: http://www.redarmy-mostar.ba)

The most dramatic match of the week was Sloboda’s home 4-0 defeat against Zeljo. Slavija was awarded by the recent week’s performance and now they are above the red line, where Sloboda is now there. Sloboda is one of those seven teams, who had been continuously taking part in Bosnian League since it was established in 2003, and recognized as a team with an honorable history with loyal and recognized fans.

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 24th week are as follow:

Çelik Zenica: 2 – Leotar Trebinje: 3

FK Kozara: 1 – Şiroki Brijeg: 2

FK Sarajevo: 3 – Rudar Prijedor: 1

FK Slavija: 3 – NK Travnik: 1

Velez Mostar: 3– Zrinjski: 1 

GOŞK Gabela: 3 – Olimpik Sarajevo: 0

Sloboda Tuzla: 0– Zeljeznicar: 4

Borac Banja Luka: 1 – Zvijezda Gradaçac: 2

Standings of the teams by the end of 24th week:

(Source: www.nfsbih.ba)

Next Week’s Schedule (Week 25: May, 2):

Borac – Çelik

Zvijezda – Sloboda

Zeljo – GOŞK

Olimpik – Velez

Zrinjski – Slavija

Travnik – Sarajevo

Rudar – Kozara

Şiroki - Leotar

FK NOVI PAZAR

Novi Pazar has almost returned from death’s door. The only think they have to do from now on is to take three points in the next three matches. However, three difficult matches wait for Pazar. The rival Borac, on the other hand will have relatively easier matches, with a potential of gaining points from any of them.

Novi Pazar, joining the Serbian Super League for the first time is that close to fulfill this season’s target of not relegating.

As we mentioned earlier, 27th week was a crucial turning point for Novi Pazar. But, it seems Novi Pazar will be regretting too much for the two points lost to Metalac last week.

The home match against Hajduk Kula had an opening with a surprise goal at only sixth minute.

When the fans were suspicious on the issue if there would be another accident, the maestro of midfield of Novi Pazar with a recognizable Super Liga experience, Irfan Vuşljanin son of Novi Pazar scored at 25th minute. Just after that, 32 years old striker Admir Raşçiç from Foça – East Bosnia, having played in Çelik and Zeljeznicar scored the victory goal at 33th minute. Since Borac had a home 4-0 lost against Partizan, Novi Pazar had a deep breath. As we mentioned last week, after victory against Rad, BSK Borça is now surely away from relegation pot.

Standing of the teams in Serbian Jelen Super League by 27th week:

(Source: www. utakmica.rs)

Novi Pazar’s next matches:

Sloboda (away)

OFK Beograd (home)

Jagodina (away)

Borac’s next matches:

Rad (away)

Vojvodina (home)

Spartak (away)

  

Novi Pazar has the greatest expectations from Borac-Vojvodina match. The same week, Pazar may gain point(s) against OFK at home.

CLUMSY TUTORIC RUINS NOVİ PAZAR

When OFK Beograd had unexpectedly beaten Borac in Cacak in 25th week, the gap between Novi Pazar and Borac became three points. This week we had such an expectation that Novi Pazar would have an easy home victory against hindmost Metalac and Borca would loose in away match against Jagodina, who struggles to play in European cups next season, and BSK Borça would loose against Partizan.

However, Novi Pazar made a surprise again and had a draw against Metelac in fron of 6000 spectacular’s at home match. By 53th minute, Djordje Tutoriç, 1983-Subotica born central defender, who previously played for Kocaelispor in Turkey and recognized with an own goal he scored, scored another own goal to Novi Pazar. Luckily, in 80th minute, Pazar’s own son, experienced left forward Admir Kecap brought the match to a draw.

Since Borac had an unexpected 0-0 away draw against Jagodina, the three point difference between Borac and Novi Pazar did not increased to six points, as we expected.

As Novi Pazar was not victorous, BSK Borça’s defeat against Partizan did not make any change in classification.

Here is the results of the matches of the teams in relegation pot of Jelen Super Liga played in April 25, Wednesday:

Novi Pazar: 1 – Metalac: 1

Jagodina: 0 – Borac: 0

Partizan: 2 - BSK Borça: 0

Current standings of team in Jelen Super Liga by 26th week:

(source: www.utakmica.rs)

27th week match schedule to be played in April 28, Saturday:

Borac – Partizan

BSK Borça – Rad

Novi Pazar – Hajduk Kula

It seems it will be a bit difficult for Borac to have a draw or a victory against Partizan in home match, but Novi Pazar’a away match against Hajduk Kula, recently having a better performance and does not want to turn back to relegation pot again will not be that easy as well. BSK Borça, after the home match against Rad, will probably leave Novi Pazar and Borac alone in the relagtion struggle.

BOSNIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 23rd WEEK

(Click here for the original Turkish text in Haber Boşnak, published April 17, 2012.)

(17 Nisan 2012 tarihinde Haber Boşnak'ta yayınlanan özgün metin için buraya tıklayınız)


By the end of the eight matches of the second half of the season, it seems that the top of the Bosnian Super League is settled to a certain degree. Struggle for title continues between Zeljo and Şiroki Brijeg, where Zeljo has an advantage of seven points difference. The victory of both teams in 23rd Week did neither change the rank nor the point difference.

The interesting coincidence in this week was that, leader Zeljo played with 4th Borac, while 2nd Şiroki Brijeg played with FK Sarajevo. Those keeping the title struggle were the victorious, where Borac and Sarajevo struggling for European cups were the losers. If it happened vice versa, the struggle for the title would be warmed a bit. At least there would be three candidates for the runner-up.  

The gap between struggle for title and struggle for European cup did relatively become wider. Moreover, stable and constant Olimpik Sarajevo having home victory over Sloboda Tuzla, and spectacular home 4-2 victory of Zrinjski against GOŞK made both teams to be candidate for the struggle to be representing Bosnia in UEFA championship.

The relegation pot is still hot. Slavija, working hard to stay in Premier League is still under the red line, but there is only one point difference with Sloboda and GOŞK. Slavija got three points after an away victory against Rudar Prijedor, another team from Republika Srpska (like Slavija), and it seems Rudar, who has a relatively easy standing probably did not make the things difficult for Slavija.

Both GOŞK and Sloboda will have a difficult week, while Slavija will play at home against Travnik, another team who does not have claim for anything. On the other hand, Sloboda will host Zeljeznicar. That means, after the matches of 24th week, Slavija’s and Sloboda’s standings may be switched: Slavija above the red line, and Sloboda under. However, we have to keep in mind that Sloboda had played the most difficult matches and the rest of the fixture is slightly easy for Tuzla team.

  

Zeljo is again victorious over Borac after the third match they played this season. Borac and Zeljo were seeded in the Kup BiH as well. Zeljo, step by step on the way to the title, had a modest victory by Adiloviç’s goal at 31st minute. 

Zeljo’s scorer Adilovic (Photo: Oslobodjenje)

Şiroki Brijeg had a clear victory over FK Sarajevo by the opening goal of Vagner and later on two goals of the Argentinean star Varea. The capital city team replied by Husejnovic’s honor goal.

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 23rd week are as follow:

Zvijezda Gradaçac: 2 – Çelik Zenica: 1

Zeljeznicar: 1 – Borac Banja Luka: 0

Olimpik Sarajevo: 2 – Sloboda Tuzla: 0

Zrinjski Mostar: 4 – GOŞK Gabela: 2

NK Travnik: 3 – Velez Mostar: 2

Rudar Prijedor: 0 – Slavija: 1

Şiroki Brijeg: 3 – Sarajevo: 1

Leotar: 1 – Kozara: 0

Standings of the teams by the end of 23rd week:

(Source: www.nfsbih.ba)

Next Week’s Schedule (Week 24: April, 28-29):

Çelik – Leotar

Kozara – Şiroki Brijeg

Sarajevo – Rudar

Slavija – Travnik

Velez – Zrinjski (Mostar Derby)

GOŞK – Olimpik

Sloboda – Zeljo

Borac - Zvijezda

FK NOVI PAZAR

After a difficult three weeks, Novi Pazar succeeded to stay above the red line. In this period, Novi Pazar’s away victory against Borac was a victory of six points!

As expected, Novi Pazar had an away 3-1 defeat against Radniçka, currently the third rank in Jelen Super Liga. However, the real surprise was Borac’s home 2-0 defeat by OFK Beograd. Last week, I had mentioned about OFK’s habit to lose against teams on relegation pot. The Beograd team ashamed us this week and the three points difference between Borac and Novi Pazar remained the same. Borça, who had victory against OFK last week, had a disastrous 4-0 defeat against Jagodina.

Javor, having victory against Rad, had increased the point difference with Novi Pazar to five points, and with Borac eight points and seems to be in a safer standing.

Metalac, who recently gave positive signals showing the wish to stay in Super Liga, had an important match against Hajduk. However, the 3-1 home defeat against Hajduk destroyed the hopes. On the other side, Hajduk, like Javor, seems to be in a safer standing as well.

Standing of the teams in Serbian Jelen Super League by 25th week:

(Source: www. utakmica.rs)

In this context, since Metalac can be regarded as the first team to be relegated, the question is “Who will be the second team?” Until last week, there were five candidates, but Hajduk and Javor are no longer in this group. Currently, Borac, Novi Pazar and BSK Borça are three candidates. However, we have to keep it in mind that Novi Pazar will play at home in the following two weeks.

Today (April 25, Wednesday), Jelen Super Liga’s 26th week’s scheduled matches will be played and three candidates will play against those rivals:

Jagodina – Borac

Novi Pazar – Metalac

Partizan – Borça

It is quite difficult for Borac and BSK Borça to have some points. On the other side, Novi Pazar is likely to have a home victory against Metalac. If Metalac have had a victory over Hajduk last week, it could be a difficult match for Novi Pazar as well. However, Novi Pazar’s victory will not be surprise. Considering those probabilities, the bottom of Super Liga may have such kind a view:

13. Novi Pazar (24 points)

14. Borça (24 points)

15. Borac (18 points)

16. Metalac (14 points)