Sarajevo derby
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Sarajevo derby between FK Željezničar and FK Sarajevo, big city rivals and two biggest and most popular clubs in Bosnia-Herzegovina, is known across the SE Europe. It is generally considered as one of few with the best atmosphere in the region. Fans usually make great decore with a lot of big flags, paper rolls, scarfs and do the loud chanting. Much like similar games in Argentina, Italy or Greece. But there is one thing that separates it from similar ones in the region and rest of the world. Fans of these clubs are enemies only for the time needed for game to be played. It is not rare that father and son, two brothers, or husband and wife, are on the opposite sides. They don't speak to each other that day. But when the game ends, provocations are something of a tradition, strangest bets are needed to be fullfilled... And everybody is waiting for the next one. Although, incidents between younger fans can be seen in recent years.
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[edit] History
The history of Sarajevo derby dates back to 1954, but rivalry began eight years earlier. In 1946 FK Sarajevo was formed by the local authorities. On the other side, FK Željezničar was an old club, formed in 1921. by a group of railwaymen and they won the Bosnian championship title in 1946, as a part of first post World War II Yugoslav championship. Since the idea was to create a new club who would represent the city and the republic on national level, newly formed FK Torpedo (as FK Sarajevo was called at the time) needed the best players from the city. So several FK Željezničar players were transferred by authorities' decision to the new club. These players received good salaries and new suits. Ever since, rivalry was present between these two clubs.
At first, Sarajevo supporters were considered to be upper-class and people close to the authorities. On the other side, supporters of FK Željezničar were usually working class with liberal image. That identification was true in 1950s and 1960s, but this differences were later erased. Both clubs have supporters from all classes and (it is very important to say when we talk about Bosnia) from all ethnical groups. There were some attempts in 1990s to make FK Sarajevo club of Bosnian Muslims, but it's not the case. Even though they still have that image in some parts of the country. FK Željezničar still have the image of liberal club and they are popular even among other supporters in the region.
Since they played in different levels, first matches between FK Željezničar and FK Sarajevo were friendlies. First official league match was held in 1954. and FK Sarajevo won 6-1. That is still the biggest victory by any team in these matches.
So far (as of October 14, 2006), 88 league matches were played. Željezničar won 28 times, Sarajevo won on 27 occasions, while 33 matches ended with a draw. Goal-difference 113-110 in FK Sarajevo's favour. Since the independece, as a part of Bosnian championship, there were 25 games played. Sarajevo won 8 times, Željezničar won 7 times, with 10 draws. Goal-difference 35-30 for FK Sarajevo.
[edit] Other competitions
The Sarajevo derby is currently played two times a year in the Premier league. But teams may also play against one another in other competitions. There are also friendly matches and games played in various tournaments. Although these games are not included in official statistics, they are just as important as the ones played in the league.
| Games | FKŽ wins | Draws | FKS wins | FKŽ goals | FKS goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yugoslav Cup | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Bosnian Cup | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 11 |
| Bosnian Super Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Total | 13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 23 | 19 |
[edit] Trivia
- Most appearances: Slobodan Janjuš - 21 (16 for Željezničar, 5 for Sarajevo)
- Best goalscorers: Asim Ferhatović (Sarajevo), Dželaludin Muharemović (Željezničar) - 6 goals
- Record win: Željezničar - Sarajevo 1:6 (October 10, 1954, first ever league derby)
- Biggest attendance: 55,000 (March 10, 1982, Koševo Stadium)
- Double victory (two wins in a season): Željezničar (1968/1969, 1989/90, 2000/2001); Sarajevo (1955/1956, 1966/1967, 1998/1999);
- Longest unbeaten run: 11 games; Sarajevo: June 6, 1963 - December 1, 1968; Željezničar: October 15, 2000 - May 4, 2006;
- Longest unbeaten run (home): 17 games; Željezničar: April 3, 1977 - October 26, 1997;
- Longest unbeaten run (away): 6 games; Sarajevo: June 2, 1963 - June 29, 1969; Željezničar: April 28, 2001 - still going
- Longest winning run: 3 games; Željezničar: May 14, 1988 - December 10, 1989;
- Longest winning run (home): 3 games; Željezničar two times: August 23, 1981 - March 18, 1984 & October 10, 1999 - May 11, 2002;
- Longest winning run (away): Two games by both teams on several occasions;
- Radmilo Mihajlović is the only player to score a hat-trick. (September 7, 1986, Željezničar won 4-1).
Note that only league matches are included in statistics. Cup, other tournaments and friendly matches are not included.
[edit] Fans
Probably the best thing about Sarajevo derby are the fans. Usually, they are much better than the game itself. Especially in recent times, since the Bosnian championship is not so good. Fans are creating impressive atmosphere with loud cheering and fantastic coreography. Both sides are preparing between two derbys, making big flags and special messages that are appropriate for that particular occasion.
FK Željezničar's most passionate fans (blue colour) are called The Maniacs because their love for the club is on the edge of insanity. They are located on the south side of stadium (holly south as they are calling it). Older ones are known by popular name Košpicari (can be metaphorically translated as "seed eaters", although the word itself have different meaning - "seed sellers"). They are sitting on the north. East is for away fans.
FK Sarajevo's most passionate fans (dark red colour) are called Horde zla (Hordes of Evil) after an issue of the Zagor comic book. In home games on Koševo Stadium, they are located on the north stands, while the older ones are called Pitari (look at the notes for Košpicari and replace "seed" with "pie") and they are mainly sitting on the east side. South is reserved for away fans.
When the derby is played on Grbavica, Horde zla are on the east and NE side of the stadium, The Maniacs are on the south and west side, while the Pitari and Košpicari are on the north. When the games is played on Koševo, The Maniacs are on the south and SW side, Horde zla on the north and the east, Pitari are on the east as well. West stands are mixed with both Pitari and Košpicari sitting there.
