BOSNIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 25th WEEK

 THE STRUGGLE IS NOT AT THE TOP ANYMORE, BUT IN THE BOTTOM

Sarajevo and Borac had a 1-1 draw in Banja Luka, which made it clear that the maroon whites are no more in the struggle for the championship. Sarajevo found the first goal by the young scorer Alen Melunovic in minute 11. However, the equalizer goal came at 66th minute by Admir Rascic.

The leader had an unsurprising 4-0 victory in Grbavica against Gradina Srebrenik who will not be in Premijer League next season.

The draw result with Sarajevo made Borac to lose the advantage against Olimpik Sarajevo with whom they are struggling for the third position to have the right to compete in UEFA Championship. Now they have the same point: 44.

However, a difficult match waits for Olimpik against Zeljo next week while Borac may lose points against Velez in Mostar as well.

If both will lose points, surely Çelik may gain some advantage and have a claim for the third place as well. They have defeated Zrinjski in away match this week and next week they will have an easy match against Radnik Bijeljina.

Since Gradina Srebrenik’s relegation is arithmetically proved, the second team who will relegate is the mention of interest. Currently GOŞK Gabela with 23 points is the one who is below the red line. Just above is NK Travnik with 24 points. GOŞK had an important one point in away match against Radnik Bijeljina and since Travnik had a home defeat against Velez Mostar the point difference between GOŞK and Travnik is reduced to “one”. Next week GOŞK will play against Şiroki Brijeg at home and it is not expected that Catholic fraternity will made the things worse for GOŞK where Şiroki Brijeg is focused more on Bosnian Cup. Travnik, on the other side must have points against Leotar who had a good start to season, but could not sustain.

ŞIROKİ BRIJEG THROUGH THE BOSNIAN CUP

The first leg of the Bosnian Cup final was played in April 30 in Grbavica. Şiroki Brijeg had an early goal at 5th but the railroaders found the equalizer goal at 19th. Since Zeljo could not manage to score any more goals, Şiroki Brijeg returned back to home with advantage before the second leg in Şiroki Brijeg at May 15th.

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 25^th week are as follow:

Borac Banja Luka: 1 – FK Sarajevo: 1

FK Slavija: 3 – Rudar Prijedor: 1

NK Travnik: 0 – Velez Mostar: 0

HŞK Zrinjski: 0 – Çelik Zenica: 2

Zeljeznicar: 4 – Gradina Srebrenik: 0

Radnik Bijeljina: 1 – GOŞK Gabela: 1

Şiroki Brijeg: 1 – Leotar Trebinje: 1

Zvijezda Gradacac: 0 – Olimpik Sarajevo: 1

Standings of the teams by the end of 25th week:

(Source: www.rezultati.com)

Next Week’s Schedule (Week 26)

Velez – Borac

Çelik – Radnik

GOŞK – Şiroki Brijeg

Gradina – Slavija

Leotar – Travnik

Prijedor – Zrinjski

Sarajevo – Zvijezda

Olimpik - Zeljo

FK SLOBODA TUZLA

Sloboda had a magnificent performance in the second half of the season and became a candidate of the leadership, however had a surprising home defeat against Rudar Kakanj and lost the claims to be leader by not using the advantage while the leader Vitez and runner-up Radniçki had a 2-2 draw. Currently Sloboda (with one match played less) is 7 points below Vitez and 4 points below Radniçki and will play against Vitez next week, which will determine if Sloboda will continue to struggle or not.

FK NOVI PAZAR: TEAM FOR HARD TIMES

FK Novi Pazar continued the tradition this week as well. Pazar had a very important one point by not allowing the leader Partizan to score a single goal. However, there are still just 3 points difference between Novi Pazar and Radniçki 1923 who is just below the red line. Pazar has the same point with Donji Srem and just one point above Hajduk Kula and Borca.

Novi Pazar will have an away match against Sloboda Uzice this week. Borca will host Spartak Subotica who is not in danger of the red line, nor do they have a claim for upper ranks in the league. It is almost certain that Donji Srem will have three points from Smederovo. Hajduk Kula will play home match against Javor and if Javor will have a defeat, they will be closer to red line as well.

Standings of the teams in Serbian Prva Liga by the end of 25th week:

(Source: www. utakmica.rs)

(Photo: Oslobodjenje)

BOSNIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 22nd WEEK

The most publicly spoken match of the 22nd week opf the Premijer Liga was Sarajevo-Leotar which was played in Koşevo. The match was not spoken over the quality of the game, nor over the goals scored, but over a banner on the rows put on the fences during the match.

In the first half of the match, due to the banner put on the fences of the northern rows of stadium, the Banja Lukan referee Ognjen Valjiç stopped the match. “Armija RBiH” was written on the banner implying the anniversary of the Army of Republic of Bosnia and Hercegovina” and the banner was opened by Horde Zla (Horde of Evils, the fan club of Sarajevo). The match continued after the banner was taken aside.

However, the referee blackmailed the security forces on posponing the match unless they will take out the banner since it was hang on the fences again during the half-time break. After half an hour of bargaining between Sarajevo club officers and fan leaders the banner was taken out  and the second half of the match started.

Since both sides were not effective in scoring a goal, the result of the match was a 0-0 draw which caused a six points difference between runner-up Sarajevo and the leader Zeljo.

On the other side, railroaders had an easy 3-0 away victory against Radnik Bijeljina by goals from Hodziç, Çoliç and Adiloviç.

After a home defeat against Velez, it seems that GOŞK Gabela is closer to the end of a fairy tale which lasted for years. Travnik, the team which is closest to the redline have collected seven points more than GOŞK did and it seems quite difficult to close the gap. On the other side, by the three points they gathered, Velez had a breath by being further from the red-line.

The most spectacular match of the week was in Zenica. Duşko Stojiç, the experienced scorer of Çelik draw the destiny of the game by the goals he scored just at the second and ninth minutes of the match. Two more goals by Horiç and Popoviç from Çelik, and a single honorary goal from Saviç of the guest team Zvijezda determined the score of the match: 4-1. The result was a good motivator for Çelik just before the away match in Grbavica inferno.

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 22^nd week are as follow:

Olimpik Sarajevo:  2 – Şiroki Brijeg: 1

Çelik Zenica: 4 – Zvijezda Gradaçac: 1

Gradina Srebrenik: 0 – NK Travnik: 1

Rudar Prijedor: 1 – Borac Banja Luka: 1

Radnik Bijeljina: 0 – Zeljeznicar: 3

GOŞKGabela: 0  – Velez Mostar: 1

HŞK Zrinjski: 2 – FK Slavija: 1

FK Sarajevo: 0  – Leotar Trebinje: 0

Standings of the teams by the end of 22^nd week:

(Source: www.rezultati.com)

Next Week’s Schedule (Week 23)

Travnik – Olimpik

Borac – Gradina

Zvijezda – Rudar

Leotar – Velez

Slavija – Radnik

Şiroki Brijeg – Sarajevo

Zeljo – Çelik

Zrinjski - GOŞK

THE WEEK OF “FIVES” FOR FK SLOBODA TUZLA

Sloboda had a spectacular 5-0 home victory against Troglav. The better performance was done by FK Rudar Kakanj. Rudar had a 1-0 home victory against the leader Vitez and this result made the difference between Sloboda and Vitez to decrease to “five”. Miners from Kakanj will play against runner-up Radniçki and we expect them to display the same performance. Sloboda will have a hard game against Branitelj in Rodoç next week and probably Fukare will not let them to be alone in Herzegovina. Leader Vitez will probably have an easy away match against Jedinstvo Bihaç.

FK NOVI PAZAR: TEAM FOR HARD TIMES

Pazar continues the habit of loosing matches, but having victories in difficult ones. They became closer to the relegation line because of the easy losses during the latest games, but managed to defeat strong Jagodina in 2-1 home match. The first half of the match was already 2-0 by Admir Kecap and Mladen Popoviç’s goals. The second half was remarked by unavoidable attacks by Jagodina. However, Novi Pazar managed to end the game by 2-1 victory.

Novi Pazar will play away match against OFK Beograd next week and it is not expected that they will return to Sandzak with a point. However, it has to be noted, two other candidates for relagation; Donji Srem and Radniçki 1923 will play against each other and another candidate Borça will host Red Star. Thus, a loss against OFK Beograd will not be that much tragic for Novi Pazar.

Standings of the teams in Serbian Prva Liga by the end of 23^rd week:

(Source: www. utakmica.rs)

(Photo: Oslobodjenje)

BOSNIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 21st WEEK

Due to the heavy Schedule of the Bosnian national squad, the 21th week matches were played on April 10th, Wednesday.

In the first half of the season, Sarajevo was the victorous side with a single goal result in the derby match played in Koşevo Stadium. However, the maron-whites could not succed in preserving their place after a draw against Slavija in away match and another surprising away defeat against Radnik Bijeljina. Those losses were followed by a 3-2 away defeat against Çelik Zenica in the prologue match of the second half of 2012/13 season. On the other side, Zeljo was able to preserve the leadership despite an away defeat against Borac in Banja Luka and a home draw against Zrinjski this week.

Although any goals were scored in the match, the red cards signified the game. At 69^th minute Zrinsjki’s defensive midfielder Hrvoje Miliçeviç was sent off, followed by Zeljo’s defensive midfielder Nermin Jamak’s sent off with the second yellow card. During the extra time, Velibor Vasiliç was sent off.

As mentioned above, although Sarajevo was victorious against the rival in the first half of the season, they felt behind the leader because of points lost. Sarajevo was ablo to gain only one point in yesterday’s match against Velez in Mostar.

Borac continued the persistent rise by a 2-0 home victory against Çelik by Stkiç’s goal at 43^rd and Maletiç’s goal at 47^th minutes and preserved her 3^rd rank being 10 points behind leader Zeljeznicar and 6 points behind runner-up Sarajevo.

One of the two teams with 34 points sharing 4^th and 5^th places, Şiroki Brijeg was victorious against Gradina Srebrenik after a 2-0 home match, while Olimpik Sarajevo had an away 1-0 defeat against Leotar.

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 21^st week are as follow:

Zeljeznicar: 0 – HŞK Zrinjski: 0

Borac Banja Luka: 2 – Çelik Zenica: 0

Zvijezda Gradaçac: 1 – Radnik Bijeljina: 1

Leotar Trebinje: 1 – Olimpik Sarajevo: 0

FK Slavija: 2 – GOŞK Gabela: 0

Şiroki Birjeg: 2 – Gradina Srebrenik: 0

NK Travnik: 0 – Rudar Prijedor: 1

Velez Mostar: 0 - FK Sarajevo: 0

Standings of the teams by the end of 21^st week:

(source: www.nfsbih.ba)

Next Week’s Schedule (Week 22)

Leotar – GOŞK

Şiroki Brijeg – Velez

Travnik – Sarajevo

Borac – Olimpik

Zvijezda – Gradina

Slavija – Çelik

Zeljo – Rudar

Zrinjski - Radnik

FK SLOBODA TUZLA REGATHERING STRENGTH

After a shocking relegation, Sloboda is slowly relieving from the trauma. Backed by a full support of Fukare, the fan group, Sloboda Tuzla begin to force higher ranks in the BHF League. Last week Sloboda have risen to runner-up place after a 4-0 home victory against Podrmeç, but had a 3-0 away smackdown against Çapljina and fell down to 3^rd place. It has to be noted that Bratsvo having one point less than Sloboda’s, at the 4^th place has a missing match.

Red-blacks, eight points behind the leader Vitez, and two points behind the runner-up Radniçki will play against Troglav next week. It is not expected that Vitez who will play against Rudar Kakanj at home and Radniçki who will play against Branitelj at home as well will loose points.

BELLS ARE RINGING FOR FK NOVI PAZAR

Novi Pazar had a striking start to the season but was unable to preserve her place and fell down to mid-ranks in the first half. The points lost in the second half made Pazarci to be closer to the relegation zone. Novi Pazar had an away 3-0 defeat against Donji Srem last week, another candidate of relegation zone. Moreover, another loss of Pazar was two red cards shown to two defender players; Rados Bulatoviç at 36th and Ljuba Nenadiç at 72nd.

Next week Novi Pazar will play an home match against Jagodina ranking at 4th place in Jelen Super Liga and have to win at least one point. Otherwise, they can be closer to relegation while the point difference from the red-line is only 2!

Standings of the teams in Serbian Prva Liga by the end of 22nd week:

(Source: www.utakmica.rs)

(Photo: Dnevni Avaz)

BOSNIAN PREMIJER LEAGUE 14th WEEK

Sarajevo, who lost points against Slavija last week, had a home victory against Zrinjski with a single goal scored by Amer Dupovac at 30th minute. Zeljo had a clear 2-0 away victory against Leotar Trebinje, who usually recognized as a hard team to beat in Trebinje.

The most spectacular result of the week came from Mostar. Velez had a very good start to the season, but later on they could not avoid losing points. They managed to preserve 0-0 draw against Slavija at the first half of the home match. However, 3 goals scored by Slavija made them to be closer to the danger zone.

Struggle between Slavija offence and Velez defense

After next week’s matches, there will be a 3 months long season break since the winter is a bit harsh in Bosnia and the second half of the season will start by March.

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 12th week are as follow:

FK Sarajevo: 1 - HŞK Zrinjski: 0

Leotar Trebinje: 0 - Zeljeznicar: 2

Şiroki Brijeg: 1 - Zvijezda Gradaçac: 0

Olimpik Sarajevo: 1 - Radnik Bijeljina: 0

Velez Mostar: 0 - FK Slavija: 3

NK Travnik: 1 - Borac Banja Luka: 1

Gradina Srebrenik: 0 - Çelik Zenica: 1

GOŞK Gabela: 1 - Rudar Prijedor: 1

Standings of the teams by the end of 14th week:

(Source: www.rezultati.com)

Next week’s schedule:

Borac – GOŞK

Çelik – Olimpik

Zvijezda – Travnik

Rudar – Gradina

Radnik – Sarajevo

Zeljo – Şiroki Brijeg

Zrinjski – Velez

Slavija - Leotar

FK SLOBODA TUZLA

With an easy 2-0 away victory against FK Banoviçi Buduçnost, Sloboda preserved its position as 5th on the table by the end of the last week of the first half of the season. The match was mentioned by the clash between fans and policemen than the game on the field.

Standings of the teams by the end of 15th week in First League of FBH:

(Source: www.sportsport.ba)

FK NOVI PAZAR

Novi Pazar had an early goal by Enver Alivodiç at 11th minute against Javor. However they could not preserve their supremacy at the match and guest team made it 2-1 by the goals at 26th and 45th. In the second half at 60th minute Novi Pazar equalized the score but could not manage to score one more to get the three points and continued the serie of loosing points. It is expected that this serie will continue next week as Novi Pazar will play a difficult away match against Rad.

Standings of the teams by the end of 13th week in Serbian Super Liga:

(Source: www. utakmica.rs)

(Photo: sportsport.ba)

BOSNIAN PREMIJER LEAGUE 13th WEEK

With 5 red cards in 8 matches, it can be said as a tough week for the players in the Premijer Liga. 13th week was dominated by three 0-0 draws as well.

Sarajevo, who had a very important victory against his rival last week, had an away draw with Slavija, which was just to relegate from the Premijer League last season and caused the difference between Zeljo and Sarajevo to drop to one point. On the other side Zeljo had a modest 1-0 home victory against Velez but gained a 3 golden points and became closer to the leader who had beaten the railroaders last weekend.

Surprise from Olimpik!

The most surprising score of the week came from Mostar. Olimpik had a 4-1 away victory against Zrinjski. The first half of the match was without a goal, but Olimpik managed to score at 61st minute by Semir Kapiç. Olimpik scored the second goal from a penalty at 71st minute. Not only the goal, but also Zrinjski’s defender Ante Radeljic’s absence by a red card causing the penalty kick comforted Olimpik for the rest of the match. Olimpik is recognized as a team with mentality which aims to avoid rival offense first, and then may think of goal, and is a team which is famous of having “modest” scores. However, benefiting from the fact that the rival was playing with 10 players, tried more on offense and scored 2 more goals and increased to 4th position in the league table. There is only goal difference with the third Şiroki Brijeg who has the same points.

It seems one of the two teams which will relegate at the end of the season is more or less clear: Gradina Srebrenik, the fresh team of the Premijer League will probably turn back to First League of FBiH after a season in Premijer Liga. The struggle to not to be the second team will probably be quite harsh.

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 12th week are as follow:

Zeljeznicar: 1 – Velez Mostar: 0

HŞK Zrinjski: 1 - Olimpik Sarajevo: 4

FK Slavija: 0 - FK Sarajevo: 0

Borac Banja Luka: 0 - Şiroki Brijeg: 0

Çelik Zenica: 2 - Rudar Prijedor: 1

Zvijezda Gradaçac: 0 - Leotar Trebinje: 1

Radnik Bijeljina: 1 - Gradina Srebrenik: 0

NK Travnik: 0 - GOŞK Gabela: 0

Standings of the teams by the end of 13th week:

(Source: www.rezultati.com)

Next week’s schedule:

Gradina – Çelik

Leotar – Zeljo

Olimpik – Radnik

Şiroki Brijeg – Zvijezda

Travnik – Borac

Velez – Slavija

GOŞK - Rudar

FK SLOBODA TUZLA

After an easy victory against NK Krajişnik Velika Kladuşa, who is at the bottom of the table, Sloboda is again at the 5th position. Next week’s away match against FK Buduçnost Banoviçi will probably not be a difficult match in sense that it can really not be regarded as away match, since Banoviçi is just 35 kilometres away from Tuzla and Buduçnost is 12th in the league table.

Standings of the teams by the end of 14th week in First League of FBH:

(Source: www.sportsport.ba)

FK NOVI PAZAR

Novi Pazar was defeated by strong rival Vojvodina in away match with the single goal scored at 4th minute and succeeded to avoid an expected defeat with some goals. With this result, Novi Pazar dropped to 10th rank in the league and a possible home victory against Javor may allow Pazar to jump a few steps higher again.

Standings of the teams by the end of 12th week in Serbian Super Liga:

(Source: www.utakmica.rs)

(Photo: sportsport.ba)

BOSNIAN PREMIJER LEAGUE 12th WEEK

(Click here for the original Turkish text in Haber Boşnak, published November 7, 2012.)

(7 Kasım 2012 tarihinde Haber Boşnak'ta yayınlanan özgün metin için buraya tıklayınız)

Victorious Sarajevo in the 100th derby

(From Oslobodjenje)

The maroon-whites were the happy side after the 100th derby of the capital city played last weekend. With this result, Sarajevo the host of the match continued to be the leader of Premijer League after a “modest” victory of “six points” with a single goal since they were leader but only with the help of goal difference, just before the match played in Koşevo.

During the season, for a while Sarajevo was the leader 5 points beyond the runner-up Zeljo. However, because of the unexpected easy point losses in recent weeks, Zeljo caught Sarajevo and the victory in the derby match not only helped them to continue the leadership, but also to defeat the demoralization.

Another issue which increased the importance of the match was that it was the 100th official match between Sarajevo and Zeljeznicar.

Both of the team played wary, opposite to the flair of the football fans. Samir Nuhanoviç, who was transferred from Zvijezda Gradaçac, scored the single goal of the match at 66th.

For the video of the goal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FmW243q0vDo#!

With the 100th derby, an interesting statistics occurred. Both of the teams have 30 victories each, and 40 matches ended with a draw.

For the eight minute summary of the match, see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FmW243q0vDo#!

Another “Five“ from Şiroki Brijeg

Şiroki Brijeg, who had a 5-0 home victory against GOŞK last week, prepared the same meal for Travnik this week as well. Şiroki Brijeg, who scored 10 goals in the last two weeks is the second most-scorer team in Premijer League after Sarajevo.

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 12th week are as follow:

FK Sarajevo: 1 – Zeljeznicar: 0

Gradina Srebrenik: 1 - HŞK Zrinjski: 2

Şiroki Brijeg: 5 _ NK Travnik: 0

Olimpik Sarajevo: 1 – FK Slavija: 0

Leotar Trebinje: 2 - Borac Banja Luka: 0

Rudar Prijedor: 2 – Radnik Bijeljina: 0

GOŞK Gabela: 0 – Çelik Zenica: 0

Velez Mostar: 2 – Zvijezda Gradaçac: 1

Standings of the teams by the end of 12th week:

(From www.rezultati.com)

(Source: www.rezultati.com)

Next week’s schedule:

Borac – Şiroki Brijeg

Zvijezda – Leotar

Radnik – Gradina

Slavija – Sarajevo

Travnik – GOŞK

Zeljeznicar – Velez

Zrinjski – Olimpik

Çelik - Rudar

FK SLOBODA TUZLA

Sloboda, who had a home 4-0 victory against Iskra last week and rose to 5th place in the table, dropped to 8th after a 2-0 away defeat against weak FK Krajina Cazin.

Next week, it is expected that Sloboda will surely have an easy victory against NK Krajişnik Velika Klauduşa, who could not get one single point after 13 weeks in the First League of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Standings of the teams by the end of 13th week in First League of FBH:

(From www.sportsport.ba)

FK NOVI PAZAR

Novi Pazar missed another opportunity  against Sloboda Uzice. In the home match the first goal was scored by midfielder Dario Damjanoviç, but just after one minute Sloboda scored the draw goal. In 65th minute, Novi Pazar could not avoid second goal of the guest team. Thanks to Miloş Bogunoviç’s goal at 85th minute, Novi Pazar rescued the single point from the match. Novi Pazar lost two matches in the last two away matches and could only have a draw in the last two home matches and next week they will play against strong Vojvodina Novi Sad and a defeat will not be surprising.

Standings of the teams by the end of 10th week in Serbian Super Liga:

(from www.utakmica.rs)

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 25th 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)

Only five weeks left for the end of the season and Zeljeznicar preserves seven points difference between Şiroki Brijeg. Leader Zeljo and runner up Şiroki Brijeg expects from one another to lose some points but this week they both scored five goals.

(Photo: Oslobodjenje)

 Zeljo passed GOŞK with a home 5-0 victory. GOŞK, with the poor performance in recent weeks became a candidate of relegation. Zeljo, on the other side keeps the track of being unbeaten in the last 30 matches and became one step closer to the title. Five different players scored the goals of railmen. Just at 15th minute Svraka opened the curtain of the show and followed by the goal of Zeljo’s goal machine Adiloviç at 30th minute. This was the half time score: 2-0. The second half started with Zeljo’s Liberian player Nyema’s goal at 48th and Bekriç’s goal at 52th minute. In 70th minute, Zeba did not forgive GOŞK’s defense’s mistake and finalized the match: 5-0. 

Şiroki Brijeg started the home match against Leotar with 20th minute goal of guest team’s scorer Ristiç. However, Captain Dalibor Siliç scored the equalizer goal at 24th and the half time score was 1-1. There was a Şiroki Brijeg storm in the second half. Brazilian Wagner scored at 50th and made it 2-1 for Şiroki Brijeg. At 58th minute Şiroki Brijeg won a penalty and the penalty goal was scored by Siliç. Just after three minutes Argentinean star Juan Manuela Varea scored the fourth goal. The closing goal came from Roskam at 84th. After the match, Şiroki trainer Ante Kokiç had expressed his hopes: “We wish Zeljo will lose some points in the remaining weeks, however, even if not we aim to play good football.”

Zeljeznicar will have a difficult away match with Velez, which has a shining performance in recent weeks.

Sarajevo was just to be defeated by Travnik in away match if Torlak and Krpiç did not score in the last ten minutes of the game.

Borac, at fourth standing had an easy victory over Çelik with two goals scored in the first 25 minutes of the match.

The bells are still ringing for Sloboda Tuzla after being defeated away match against Zvijezda. The only solace for Sloboda was that Slavija, which stands two points above, lost away match against Zrinjski 3-1. Indeed, Slavija started the match with a motivation as a result of the early goal scored by Raseviç at the first minute, however could not avoid Zrinjski’s three goals. Travnik, another team which is only two points above Sloboda and GOŞK three points as well lost the games and made the relegation pot to be warmed up again.

The results of the matches played in the Bosnian Premier League in the 25th week are as follow:

Borac Banja Luka: 2 – Çelik Zenica: 0

Zvijezda Gradaçac: 1 – Sloboda: 0

Zeljeznicar: 5 – GOŞK Gabela: 0

Olimpik Sarajevo: 0 – Velez Mostar: 0

Zrinjski Mostar: 3 – FK Slavija: 1

NK Travnik: 1 – FK Sarajevo: 2

Rudar Prijedor: 3 – FK Kozara: 0

Şiroki Brijeg: 5 – Leotar Trebinje: 1

Standings of the teams by the end of 25th week:

(Source: www.nfsbih.ba)

Next Week’s Schedule (Week 26: May, 5-6):

Çelik – Şiroki Brijeg

Leotar – Rudar

Kozara – Travnik

Sarajevo – Zrinjski

Slavija – Olimpik

Velez – Zeljeznicar

GOŞK – Zvijezda

Sloboda – Borac

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.

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)