FALSE 10: Story of a team in blue
Reading Time: 4min | Sat. 04.04.26. | 15:49
Some destinies run parallel, even when there's hardly anything in common
Despite the subpar results in the last decade, their national team spirit has never been broken. In a country divided into rich and poor, divided by religion due to a growing diversity, by club colours, and football allegiances, the national team has always been a unifying force.
After all, just look at their fans. And when we say fans, we mean the entire country, wearing the traditional blue jersey and singing the national anthem. When the national team plays, nothing else matters. The win is a matter of pride and honour, while every defeat is devastating.
Their fans are emotional and passionate, often unrealistic, refusing to accept their team's current status in the football world. They always expect more than it's plausible, hoping they can make a step forward. The previous decade, full of suffering and disappointment, did not teach them a lesson.
Fierce fans, indeed (©Reuters/Matteo Ciambelli/Gallo Images)Their country has been successful in other sports, but football has always been #1. Undisputed winner in the competition for a phenomenon that can bring the greatest explosion of joy, but also push the entire nation into the depths of depression.
The domestic league is in decline. For years, it hasn't been what it once was, though the fans are still passionate about it. For them, it's the best in the world. The truth is a bit different, though.
The internal battles between the clubs fighting for the title, trophies, and dominance over the domestic football have taken their toll. While other leagues developed, their own remained on the same level, allowing many to surpass it in quality.
Few goals and games without pace have driven viewers away from watching their local football, while frequent public quarrels and refereeing scandals have damaged the league's reputation. And the league always mirrors the national team.
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Hence, it's no wonder they haven't participated in the FIFA World Cup since 2014, when they failed to advance from the group stage, recording one win and two defeats. Although in a group with the former World Champions, they could have done better.
The failure shook the supporters, but did not kill their hopes for the national team. Whenever their lads played a home game - though they follow the crew on the road as well - stadiums would be packed and painted blue with all the jerseys and scarves in the stands.
2014 is long gone, but it marked the start of a prolonged generational change that is still ongoing. They even had to swallow their pride and put tradition aside, turning to some players who, at first sight, do not belong there. Players of different backgrounds, born in other countries. But hey, all out for the result.
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The position of a coach is a story of its own. Numerous famous and lesser-known names have come, failed, and gone. Recently, they put their fate in the hands of a man who's a national team icon but whose managerial quality is under a significant question mark.
His previous results weren't too promising, but he made up for it with passion and relentlessness. And even though they doubted him, the fans liked him. After all, who doesn't enjoy seeing a bearded man jumping on the sidelines and yelling as if his life depended on the outcome of the game?
Having played a number of crucial games for the national team, the strategist knew what it meant for the supporters and what his players needed to do to make the fans proud. Giving blood, sweat, and tears for the blue jersey was a starter pack. Tactics were critical, but secondary.
And despite all the ups and downs, they'll probably forever remain the same: too proud to accept anything but a victory and too naive to realize football will most likely punch them in the face one more time, instead of rewarding them.
Together in success, divided in failure. Always looking for a culprit and never cleaning up their own yard. Forever loyal to the colour blue. The first to light the fireworks when there’s a celebration, the first to point fingers when there’s sorrow.
The last decade brought them many defeats, but they'll never admit they are losers. Always with their chin up, even when they’re in over their heads. They are the country where football is life, but the national team means even more. They are fierce and stubborn, even to their own detriment.
They are Bosnia and Herzegovina, and they have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the second time in their history!
Surprised? Why? Who did you think this article was about?