Zenica marks century celebrations

Bosnia-Herzegovina will take time to reflect in Zenica tonight as their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Greece marks the 100th game since independence.

Moving home
Of their 99 games to date, Bosnia-Herzegovina have played 47 official qualifying games, winning 17, drawing ten and losing 20. As well as Zenica, the national team have also played in Sarajevo and Bihac since being affiliated to FIFA and UEFA. Having played their first match since winning independence from the former Yugoslavia against Albania in Tirana on 30 November 1995 in Tirana, the national team have enjoyed an exciting eleven years, coming close to the finals of UEFA EURO 2004™ under Blaž Slišković before losing a play-off tie against Denmark.

Italian visit
To begin with, things were difficult. Still dealing with the aftermath of the conflicts which had ravaged the region, Italy became the first side to play a friendly game against the national team in Sarajevo, losing 2-1, but it took a while for competitive matches to be played in Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Even though the war was over, we played away from home in Bologna in our opening qualifiers for the 1998 FIFA World Cup," remembered Jusuf Pušina, the first president of the Football Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Binding forces
The national team has been a binding force in Bosnia-Herzegovina, helping to heal the wartime scars that divided the nation’s different communities. “Day after day this team became stronger and stronger and football was one tool in uniting the country,” said Pušina. Star midfielder Sergej Barbarez, who will be serving a suspension for tonight's game, added: "It wasn't easy. We started with nothing, but we have become a respectable team in Europe and worldwide. We welcomed all those who called Bosnia-Herzegovina their home and were worthy of a place in the team."

Coaching names
Six coaches have led the national team since its foundation: Fuad Muzurović, Džemaludin Mušović, Faruk Hadžibegić, Drago Smajlović, Husnija Arapović and current coach Slišković. "Bosnia-Herzegovina is a small country, but our players and coaching staff have been great," said Slišković. "I'm proud of what we achieved, as are the coaches who led this team before me, and of what we are still doing, forging a team who have and will have an important role in European and world football."