Bosnia and Herzegovina live your life again football saint.
"Placement on Mundial is a truly fascinating success of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team, comparable only to the historic trip to World Cup in Brazil in 2014," says Salih Hadžialić, a retired sports journalist of Radio BiH who covered as many as four World Cups. He tells DW that the path to this result was thorny - especially after the heavy defeats in the preliminary games against Germany and England, when the resignations of coach Sergej Barbarez and his colleagues were demanded, and no one could believe in the final triumph through the barrage.
Synergy of profession, logistics and captain's authority
According to Hadžialić, the key to success lies in the synergy of expertise and logistics.
"This is the result of the persistence of the coaching staff, but also of the great work of the technical sector - I mean director Emir Spahić and scout Saša Papac. They were looking for young guys who have quality and who agreed to play for our national team," Hadžialić points out.
He also adds that Barbarez's persistence, character and captain's authority were crucial in bringing former teammates together around a common goal. The very end of the qualification had a dramatic course that required enormous mental and physical effort from the team.
From Zenica drama, to selection without calculations
"We went through the play-offs, beat Wales in Cardiff after a penalty, and then four-time world champions Italy in Zenica. It was a superhuman effort and hats off to the players, Barbarez, but also to experienced leaders like Dzeko and Kolasinac," emphasized Hadžialić.
Answering the question about the selection criteria for new football players, Hadžialić categorically rejects the possibility of any non-sporting calculations, stating that the coaching staff was guided solely by sporting motives and talent. "I don't think Barbarez played the nationality card at all, but talent and quality, which ultimately resulted in great success," he says.
Football as a cohesive force stronger than politics
The euphoria and mass celebrations that followed the victory over Italy, according to Hadžialić, showed the social strength of football in most Bosnian cities - despite political and other divisions.
"These football players of ours do more for the unification of Bosnia and Herzegovina than any politician. As for the region, I was called by friends and colleagues from Belgrade, Montenegro, Croatia... Everyone says: 'Congratulations, we support Bosnia'. I believe that the whole of the former Yugoslavia will sympathize with us at the championship," reports Hadžialić.
Generational change and optimism before Toronto
"Going to the championship itself is a huge and unexpected success. Everything beyond that is a bonus. I hope that we will present ourselves in the best way and that, in addition to legends like Sušić, Baždarević or Hadžibegić, the world will now also meet new guys: Bajraktarević, Alajbegović, Katić, Dedić... With Džeka as a leader, I believe in success," concludes Salih Hadžialić.
Ahead of the first match at the World Cup against the host Canada in Toronto, former goalkeeper of the BiH national team Asmir Begović - who was also the goalkeeper of the young Canadian team, so he knows both teams very well and the football mentality there - says that both teams have equal chances.
Although he foresees a great atmosphere and great support from both the home team and the Bosnian diaspora from the stands, Begović emphasizes that the team's focus must remain exclusively on the field and the competitive goal.
"But, of course, we have to go for the result and win some positive points. I think that the game is completely open and there is no obvious favorite. These are two good teams and everything is possible. If we play the way we know how, and with a little luck, I think we can achieve a positive result," he said.
Psychological relief and open battle for the group
Speaking about the strategy at the very start of the tournament, the former goalkeeper of the BiH team emphasizes that a win, but also a draw, would be very useful, primarily because of the psychological relief of the team in the continuation of the competition.
"The most important thing is not to lose. I think that if the first match is lost, then the pressure for the next match is immediately raised, so I think that winning at least one point is already a good start," said Begović.
Real chances to pass the group stage
When it comes to the overall reach of the BiH national team at this World Cup, Begović gives optimistic forecasts and emphasizes that the key to success is precisely in the first game and setting the right rhythm in the group.
"I think our chances are generally good as far as passing the group is concerned. The group is open and there is no big favorite. Switzerland is perhaps the best opponent there, if we look through the prism of experience and quality. But I think we can play with them, as well as with Canada and Qatar, so everything is open. I say - with a good start, I think we have a real chance to go further," said the DW interviewee.
Favorites "on paper" and potential surprises from the second plan
Analyzing the global balance of power and the candidates for the very top of world football, Begović singles out the traditional favorites who, according to current indicators, have an advantage over the others.
"If we look at the situation before the tournament, 'on paper', I think that France and Spain are the two teams that are currently at the very top", he estimates, but at the same time he also warns about selections from the second plan that possess extraordinary individual quality:
"Norway can play a good role, especially if everything comes together for them... Since they have a great goalscorer Erling Haaland in attack, if he works properly, it can mean a lot for them."
Recognizable German competitive spirit
Finally, looking at current strength and status German national team, Begović draws a parallel with some earlier trophy eras, but has no doubts about the distinctive German competitive mentality. "I think that Germany is still at a high level, one hundred percent, but it is not like before, say ten or twenty years ago, and especially twelve years ago at the World Cup in Brazil. But they will be in the game, there is no doubt about Germany. It is still a serious national team, so they will certainly be at the very top, one hundred percent," concludes Asmir Begović.
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