Bosnia-Herzegovina round-up: Leotar claim first title
Sunday, May 25, 2003
Article summary
FK Leotar won the title for the first time with a win at FK Rudar Ugljevik on the final day of the season.
Article body
FK Leotar won the Bosnia-Herzegovnian Premier League title for the first time with a 2-1 win at FK Rudar Ugljevik on the final day of the season.
Three-point winning margin
The three points, coupled with NK Zeljeznicar's 1-0 defeat at FK Široki Brijeg, meant that Leotar finished with a three-point advantage at the top of the final table.
Champions League place
Leotar took the lead through Zdravko Saraba after 16 minutes and, although Mladen Žižovic equalised four minutes later, but Leotar claimed the three points three minutes after the hour mark as Nenad Stojanovic scored. Leotar will now enter the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League next season.
Late winner
Zeljeznicar, champions last season, went down 1-0 at Siroki thanks to Ricardo Santos' goal nine minutes from time and will play in the UEFA Cup. FK Sarajevo will also play in Europe after a 3-0 win against NK Jedinstvo, one of two sides relegated, thanks to goals from Emir Obuća, Džemo Berberovic and Faruk Ihtijarevic.
Jedinstvo relegated
Jedinstvo, who finished 16th, were joined in the second division by FK Kozara despite a 4-1 win against NK Posušje, while FK Bosna, FK Buducnost Banovici, FK Mladost Gacko and FK Velez also dropped down from the top flight.