Žižović basking in Zrinjski success

NK Zrinjski's unbeaten run in Bosnia-Herzegovina ended in the final match before the winter break, but midfielder Mladen Žižović said: "I think we have the quality to stay top of the league and become champions again."

Six points clear
A 2-1 defeat at FK Leotar on 22 November ended an impressive streak of 12 league games without defeat for the Mostar side, whose only previous loss was a 3-0 reverse at FK Sarajevo in the second game of the season. Nonetheless, they will go into the winter break six points clear of FK Slavija Sarajevo at the top of the table with the Bosnia-Herzegovnian Cup holders eyes firmly on another trophy.

'Tough spring'
The 27-year-old Žižović, perhaps the pick of the 2004/05 champions' finest players this autumn, said: "We always keep playing to score another goal, and that style has led us to the top. This is only the first half of the season, though. We will have a tough spring, but I think we have the quality to stay top of the league and become champions again."

Modriča misery
Zrinjski's success has cast a rather cruel light on the pre-season title ambitions of Sarajevo and NK Široki Brijeg, who are 12 and 13 points off top spot respectively. However, those two clubs look positively buoyant compared to reigning champions FK Modriča, who are 13th in the 16-team table after losing 6-0 to Zrinjski's local rivals FK Velež, with Dejan Drakul scoring a hat-trick.

Velež worries
That victory represented a rare moment of joy for Velež whose form has contrasted sharply with that of their Mostar neighbours. Now on to their fifth coach of the season in the form of Abdulah Ibraković, they are second from bottom and will need to come good when the season recommences in March if they are to get out of the relegation zone.

Top scorers
Darko Spalević has entered the winter as the Premijer Liga's top scorer after registering eleven goals for Slavija, with Admir Raščić of Sarajevo second on nine ahead of eight-goal team-mate Zoran Kokot. The lineup for the Bosnia-Herzegovnian Cup semi-finals is also complete, with Široki Brijeg to play FK Sloboda Tuzla in one tie while Zrinjski will defend their title against Slavija in the spring.