Zrinjski and Slavija set for double duel

NK Zrinjski and FK Slavija Sarajevo are looking to claim Bosnia-Herzegovnian doubles at each other's expenses when the season resumes on 28 February, with the Mostar side six points clear at the top of the table.

Friendly tournament
Most local clubs are preparing for the restart with friendly encounters, with Zrinjski joining second-division NK GOŠK Gabela and Croatian sides NK Dinamo Zagreb and NK Ošijek for the annual Andrija Anković memorial tournament in Gabela, where Ošijek beat Dinamo on penalties in the final after a 0-0 draw.

Strong position
It was a disappointing showing for Mostar-based Zrinjski, who are on top in the league and will take on second-placed Slavija in the Bosnia-Herzegovnian Cup semi-finals on 25 March and 15 April, with the winners of that tie meeting either NK Široki Brijeg or FK Sloboda Tuzla in the final. Slavija have never won a major domestic title, while Zrinjski claimed the 2004/05 championship and last season's cup.

Double target
"We want to win the title again," said Zrinjski coach Dragan Jović. "We are heading into a difficult spring campaign, despite our six-point lead over Slavija. Our aim is to retain the cup too." Slavija coach Zoran Erbez is not afraid, however, saying: "We will challenge for both trophies, even if competition gets tough in the Premijer League."

Bešlija is back
FK Laktaši, Sloboda Tuzla, FK Sarajevo, Široki Brijeg and FK Željezničar are also bent on battling for European places in the spring, with the latter receiving a major lift after striker Mirsad Bešlija returned to the club following seven years abroad, spent playing for the likes of KRC Genk in Belgium and Heart of Midlothian FC in Scotland.

Fourth coach
Sloboda, however, lost midfielder Mario Lamešić, who joined Greek side OFI Crete FC, while young Slavija star Aleksandar Kosorić moved to Belgrade to join FK Partizan. Laktaši, meanwhile, have named their fourth coach of the season, with Lazo Jovanić following on from Zoran Čurguz, Slobodan Kustudić and Čedomir Doinčević. Despite the disruption, they are third in the table.