Nedim Jusufbegović, assistant coach in the professional staff of the football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that the players are aware of the importance of the play-off semi-final match for EURO 2024 against Ukraine. Watch all Dragons’ matches in the play-off for the EURO exclusively on the BHRT program.
Jusufbegović appeased BiH public saying that captain Edin Dzeko is fine, despite the fact that he did not train with his team mates last night.
“Yesterday we had an introductory training session, we worked more on recovery. The atmosphere is at a high level, the players are aware of the importance of the game and what it brings us. I think we are all aware of the situation. Everything is fine with Dzeko. He had a hard journey, he came late, so he got a chance to rest a little last night. He will be in training tonight,” Jusufbegović said.
Benjamin Tahirović, midfielder of Ajax, is optimistic before the duel between BiH and Ukraine, which will take place on March 21 in Zenica.
“We all have a good feeling. We are very motivated. For me, this is the most important match I have ever played. We can’t wait for it to start. We enter with one hundred percent, with the mentality that we can win and achieve success,” said BH representative.
Tahirović respects his rival, points out that they have an extremely high-quality team, but also that BiH has its trump cards ahead of the test that can bring them one step closer to qualifying for the European Championship.
“We are not afraid of anyone. We have respect, but we also have quality, I believe we can win,” said the Ajax midfielder, referring to the home field advantage:
“For us players, that is the most important thing. The fans are our twelfth player, who will give us energy when we are in difficult moments. We are all overjoyed that the tickets were sold out so quickly. All of us young players know what it would mean for us to qualify for the European Championship, to us as a country and to us individually.”
The playoff semi-final match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine will be played on Thursday, March 21 at the “Bilino Polje” stadium in Zenica, with a live broadcast on BHRT from 8:35 p.m.
In the event that Bosnia and Herzegovina eliminates Ukraine in the play-off final, they will play against Iceland or Israel on March 26 at the “Grbavica” stadium in Sarajevo. In case of defeat against Ukraine, BH. the team will play a friendly match against the defeated Icelanders and Israelis in the same match at “Grbavica”.
