Slavija on song for centenary
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
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FK Slavija Sarajevo are marking the 100th anniversary of their foundation with an impressive Premijer Liga campaign in Bosnia-Herzegovina, though when it comes to footballing highs and lows, Mostar is the place to be.
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FK Slavija Sarajevo are celebrating the 100th anniversary of their foundation with a good campaign in Bosnia-Herzegovina, but when it comes to footballing highs and lows, Mostar is the place to be this season.
Slavija celebrations
Slavija are second in the table, through to the last eight of the Bosnia-Herzegovinian Cup and marked their 100-year milestone with a 2-1 friendly win against Serbia's FK Partizan. Meanwhile it is both the best of times and the worst of times in the city of Mostar, with NK Zrinjski seemingly destined to win the title while FK Velež nose-dive towards relegation.
Successful streak
A 3-0 win against second-placed Slavija in their most recent league fixture has left Zrinjski seven points clear at the top of the table and a further two points clear of NK Široki Brijeg in third. Dragan Jović's side have not lost since going down to FK Sarajevo in the second game of the season back on 9 August and, having become the first Mostar side to win the national title back in 2004/05, they could be in line for more success come the end of the season. Jović concluded: "We are playing efficiently, and already, four rounds before the end of the first half of season, we have a big lead. We will definitely go into the winter break at the top of the standings."
Velež sinking
While Zrinjski are in the pink, neighbours Velež have hit the skids this season and are propping up the table with just five points. They are already on to their fourth coach of the season, but at least made it to the last eight of the Bosnia-Herzegovnian Cup along with Zrinjski, FK Sloboda Tuzla, Široki Brijeg, Slavija, NK Orašje, FK Olimpik and NK Radnik.
Laktaši kudos
Zrinjski and Slavija's success has thrown the performances of powerhouses like Široki Brijeg and Sarajevo into stark relief, but the real disappointments have been three-time champions NK Željezničar and title holders FK Modriča. Credit, though, to FK Laktaši who are fourth despite being on to their third coach of the season, Čedomir Djoinčević.