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L'editoriale di Dirim Ozkan
Alessandro Ignoto 17:32:00 0
THE HEGEMONY OF RAILROADERS IN BOSNIAN FOOTBALL
Despite the efforts of Eurocentrism to find out “ethnic confrontation/conflict” in every social issue, behind every social or cultural fact in Bosnia lies an essential dynamic. One of those is football. Although the indicators which identify the ethnic realm of the football teams are quite strong, the power of cultural and social dynamics blossoming from the nature of football rivalries is more dominant. We do not claim that ethnic rivalries do not affect the nature of the rivalries, but what we want to take attention is that, the traditional essence of rivalries do also pay a very significant role in the Bosnian football realm.
One of the most important rivalries within this context is that of between FK Sarajevo and Zeljeznicar. Zeljo was formerly established by railway workers in 1921, and Sarajevo was established by the notables of the city of Sarajevo in 1946. Since then, a remarkable rivalry, which can sometimes be a bit fierce is a part of city life in Sarajevo. On the contrary to FK Sarajevo, which was established by the notables and elites of the city, the rival team Zeljeznicar was established by railway workers in Grbavica district that is remarkably showing signs of the architectural genre of socialist Yugoslavia. Zeljo had always been recognized as an alternative team against the mainstream and had support from working class and intellectuals.
Bosnian war destroyed the infrastructures of the both teams. Especially, one has to keep in mind that Grbavica district was occupied by the aggressors for three years and even the border line was just crossing the Grbavica Stadium. Postwar syndrome was less traumatic for Zeljo who got used to stand without support from city elites and notables, but with the support from fans only. Thus, Zeljo was relatively more successful in postwar Bosnia compared to Sarajevo. A significant fan support came from the immigrants who had to escape from ethnic cleansening in East Bosnia and had to leave their homes and settle in Sarajevo. Since being a fan of a local team is a good mean for adapting into the host society, no wonder that the immigrants were likely to support the successful team of that era and it was Zeljo! However, in a country like Bosnia where the industrial football is not blossomed yet, the fan support has only marginal effect behind the success of the team. Money is more crucial! In this era, especially in the years between 2005-2010 Zeljo began to be a team playing for middle ranks in Bosnia where Sarajevo gained more strength with the support of new elites in the city.
However, a loyal fan, a former player of Zeljo appeared like an angel: Edin Dzeko!
Dzeko had a move to Czech team Teplice in 2005 only for 25.000 Euros. Because of an article in the contract, Zeljo still earns from every transfer move of Dzeko. He moved to Wolfsburg from Teplice for 4 mio Euros and just three years after he moved to Manchester City for 30 mio Euros! Earning considerable amount of fee from those moves, Zeljo not only solved the financial problems, but also became the richest club in Bosnia.
A very nice thing happened for Zeljo in 2011 as well: Ivica Osim, Zeljo’s and ex-Yugoslavia’s legendary football player became the head of the Bosnian Football Union. At a time when his son had already been manager of Zeljeznicar!
Probably, this season’s champion will be Zeljo again summing up 3 titles in the last 4 years. It would not be fair if we claim that the family ties between Zeljo’s manager and Bosnian Football Union’s chairman is the formula of the success of Zeljeznicar. However, it would not be surprising to know that the referees would be thinking twice when they whistle against Zeljeznicar.
Sarajevo had a claim to overturn this unbalance in the beginning of this season. In fact, they were quite successful in the first half of the season occupying the leadership until the 14th week. They even had victory against Zeljo in the Sarajevo derby. However, they could not sustain their performance and had surprising losses and the leadership was captured by Zeljo. Six weeks left to the end of the season and the difference between leader Zeljeznicar and runner up Sarajevo is seven points and probably Zeljo will have the title at the end.
Struggle continues for the third place as well, since the third team will have the right to play qualification matches in UEFA League and it is a very important financial opportunity for a football team in Bosnia. In the beginning of the season, Zrinjski and Siroki Brijeg were struggling for the third place however, since they could not keep on good results, the struggle for being the third team fell in the hands of Olimpik Sarajevo and Borac Banja Luka. Borac is the football team of Banja Luka, the capital city of Republika Srpska, and enjoys a significant political support. Olimpik was established in 1993 in Otoka district of Sarajevo and has neither political nor fan support. Indeed, the team is sold to FK Gorazde, who will probably relegate from the First League of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Olimpik will struggle under the name of Gorazde next year.
Another struggle continues at the bottom of the league. Gradina Srebrenik will be relegated from Premijer Liga after a year visit. GOŞK Gabela, the team from a town of 3000 population is struggling with Travnik to not to relegate.
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