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UEFA EURO 2004 :: Bosnians await shot at history

Bosnians await shot at history
Wednesday, 08 October 2003
By Fuad Krvavac

Not since Sarajevo's Winter Olympics of 1984 has a sporting event in this part of the world been the source of such fervent excitement and Saturday's decisive UEFA EURO 2004� qualifier between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Denmark certainly has the whole country on tenterhooks.

Much demand
Victory for Bosnia-Herzegovina would give them first place in Group 2 and an automatic ticket to Portugal and as a result the demand for tickets is far outstripping the 35,600 available at the Ko�evo stadium.

Sli�kovic praised
Coach Blaz Sli�kovic has been widely praised for his team's historic achievements. However, it took time for him to convince his detractors. Sli�kovic took charge of the national team in 2002 and was heavily criticised following defeats - 3-0 at home to Romania and 2-0 in Norway - in his first two qualifiers.

Players' faith
However, the players have stood by Sli�kovic and his willingness to combine experienced older heads with promising youngsters. He was also responsible for involving players from all parts of the country, divided into two ethnic groups during the civil war in the 1990s. "Football has reunited Bosnia, fulfilling the peace goal in which all politicians failed," noted one newspaper in Sarajevo.

Sanctuary
To avoid the feverish atmosphere in the capital, the players have gone to the country's south to prepare. "We had to 'run away' to Medjugorje, our favourite preparation camp," Sli�kovic said before reflecting on the qualifying campaign. "Before the start of the qualifiers no one was thinking of us as serious opponents. We have used that and surprised European football and now we have come to a situation where we decide our fate.

Denmark favourites
"However, despite being the home team, Denmark are very strong and are favourites. We have to win, whereas they will be satisfied with a draw. That means we have to attack, but when and how will depend on the strength of our opponents. We have to be patient and mature."

Group situation
Bosnia-Herzegovnia require victory as Denmark and Romania - who have played all their matches - are both two points clear of Sli�kovic's side. Defeat for Denmark will relegate them to the play-offs. Any other result would mean qualification for the Danes and a play-off for Norway - who are currently fourth - if they beat Luxembourg at home. If Norway and Bosnia-Herzegovina both fail to win, Romania will finish second.

Good omens
However, the omens are good for Bosnia-Herzegovina as, for the first time in this campaign, they have no injury problems. This has fuelled the optimism around the country, but, whatever the result, Sli�kovic and his squad have achieved hero-status.

'Celebrate with our fans'
"We have achieved a lot," the captain, Mirsad Hibic, said. "We have made two big steps in the qualifiers. The last, most difficult, is ahead of us - the one that leads to football history not only for the team, but for the whole nation. It will be difficult but with our determination we hope to celebrate on Saturday with our fans in the stadium and in front of their TVs."

Full squad
Strikers Elvir Bolic and Elvir Baljic are both available for the home side as is the influential midfield player Vedin Music. However, his fellow midfield player, the young Sergej Barbarez, has really captured the public's imagination with his recent dynamic performances.

Perfect present
"Denmark are a very strong team," added Hibic, "and the fact that we beat them before [2-0 in Copenhagen in April] does not mean very much. They know us very well," Hibic, who turns 30 on Saturday, added. "Victory would be the best present for me and all our supporters worldwide."

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Take a look at the current poll at the bottom of the page

I'd really love to see Bosnia in Euro 2004..
best of luck

on a side note, if some how Norway doesn't beat Lux then I'd like Denmark to win

norway will beat luxembourg and denmark will draw leaving denmark at first and norway at play off place.

hey im allowed too hope aint i

i cant wait til tomorrow.

i got 3 matches too watch

Norway - Luxembourg 17:00
Bosnia - Denmark 18:00
Turkey - England 20:00

The Danes and the English will probably face the most electric atmosphere of their lives in about 12 hours...I can�t imagine what it will feel like to be on the field at those stadiums tomorrow...

w000000000h000000


Norway for play off matches

At least some one can celebrate their country makin the play-off's

I had to witness bloody minnows Latvia, get ahead of a Crap Polish outfit, to put it lightly.

quote:

Originally posted by PacMan w000000000h000000 Norway for play off matches

you play the most ugly football i've seen

quote:

Originally posted by fmanolo you play the most ugly football i've seen

oh really i could agree more and its all thanks too our hated coach.


but it dosent really matter now, spain will kick our asses.

we might have a chance if there is a snow storm when we play in norway.

ok, england goes directly to the finals, and turkey goes to play-offs... but spain goes to play offs also, because of greece qualifying! do you think that's fair?

well greece did have a better qualifying campaign soo i would be fair i presume

Hm i heard that Slovenia will play agains Croatia...

Thats gonna be a slaughter on the fielg and a genocide off the field...tension is already high for political reasons atm and crazy football fans usualy dont even need an excuse to have a fight...thats why im watching this one from my bed...way safer

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