Modriča set Bosnia-Herzegovnian pace

While FK Modriča are making the early running in Bosnia-Herzegovina with NK Čelik also thriving, champions FK Sarajevo are concentrating on Europe.

Shaky spells
A 6-1 win against promoted NK Travnik at the weekend confirmed Modriča's position at the top of the Premijer Liga, where they are a point clear of NK Zrinjski with a game in hand. The Mostar side have looked a little shaky at times, but with four points on their travels since being knocked out of the UEFA Cup, they are returning to top form.

Good start
Third in the table, having played a game less than most of the sides around them, Čelik have recovered from losing to Modriča in their first game of the season, with coach Ivo Ištuk showing plenty of ambition. "The ambitions of the team from Zenica are the European scene," said Ištuk, who also works with the national team. "We have started well."

Derby game
NK Široki Brijeg remain a team in flux following their decision to jettison coach Ivica Barbarić. Mario Ćutuk is the new man in charge, leading his side to a 2-2 draw at Sarajevo in the big weekend derby game. "We've showed that NK Široki Brijeg can play a part in the fight for the title," said Ćutuk.

Coaching changes
Both FK Slavija Sarajevo and NK Žepče have also changed coaches in recent weeks. Milomir Odović has been superceded by Dušan Jevrić at Slavija while Mile Jovin has taken over from Omer Kopić at Žepče. The new coaches both lost their opening games in charge at the weekend, and remain in the bottom three in the 16-team table.

European dream
Sarajevo, meanwhile, are 13th in the league but will be postponing any crisis talks until after their UEFA Cup first leg tie against FC Basel 1893 on Thursday. A group stage place looks like a long shot for Husref Musemić's men, but the prospect of another notable scalp will ensure that enthusiasm remains high.