SD Željezničar
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SD Željezničar, or in full Sportsko društvo (Sports society) Željezničar (railwayman, railway worker), is the second biggest association of sport clubs with the same name in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The biggest one is the USD Bosna. It is founded in 1921. by a group of railway workers as RŠD (Radničko športsko društvo, eng. Workers' sports society) Željezničar, but after the World War II initial acronym was changed to SD.
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[edit] Football
Main article: FK Željezničar
When it was founded in 1921. its first member was football club. Fotball club is also the most prominent and most popular member of this association. They have managed to win one championship title in former Yugoslavia in 1972, and three more titles in the independent Bosnia-Herzegovina (1998, 2001, 2002). Three more Bosnian cup titles are added (2000, 2001, 2003). Biggest international result was recorded in 1985 when they have reached the UEFA Cup semi-final. Before the war, women's football club existed and they have won one title too, in 1983. When the war started, both of these clubs have stopped their activities. And while the men started again very soon, women's club have not yet been reestablished.
[edit] Handball
Rukometni klub (eng. Handball club) Željezničar is playing in Premier League. Alongside RK Borac Banja Luka, RK Željezničar was the most successful Bosnian handball club in former Yugoslavia. They have won the championship title in 1978 and they have reached the final of EHF Cup in 1982, where they have lost to Gummersbach. In independent Bosnia, they managed to win the war championship in 1993, but never actually established themselves as a title winning team. They were close to the top, but with no championship or cup title (losing finalists). Club played in competitions organized by EHF on several occasions. At the end, financial problems caused the relegation. After couple of seasons, in 2006, they have been promoted to the top flight.
Women's handball club had more success in Bosnian era. They won three cup titles in 1996, 1999 and 2002, but not yet won a championship. Club's headquarters are in Hadžići, small town near Sarajevo. They play their home matches there and they are also a regular participant of European club competitions.
[edit] Basketball
Basketball is the second most popular sport in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Košarkaški klub (eng. Basketball club) Željezničar for men no longer exists. They were one of the best Bosnian clubs in 1960s and 1970s, but in the 1980s it ceased to exist. In overall Yugoslav championship table 1946-1991, they are occupying 24th place. They have spent six seasons in top flight.
On the other side, women's club won the Yugoslav championship (in which they were regular participant) in 1971. They also managed to reach the Yugoslav cup final in 1988. and 1989. However, best results came in independent Bosnia-Herzegovina. They won the Bosnian championship title in 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005. and 2006. Since there were three separated championships in Bosnia-Herzegovina before the 2002/2003 season, they also won one of those in 1998, 1999, 2000. and 2001. Bosnian cup was won in 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005. and 2006. Like championships, three cup tournaments were played and they have won one of them in 1998, 1999, 2000. and 2001. In 2003, KK Željezničar won WABA League.
[edit] Other sports
There are other clubs in SD Željezničar. Before the war, there were more of them, but it is possible they will be reestablished again.
- Atletski klub (Track and field club);
- Šahovski klub (Chess club), traditionally one of the best in the country;
- Skijaški klub (Skiing club), the best in the country;
- Klub dizača tegova (Weightlifting club), one of the best in the country;
- Kuglaški klub (Bowling club), one of the best in the country;
- Odbojkaški klub (Volleyball club) - there is only women's club. They were the best women's volleyball club in country for years, but never actually won anything. It probably sounds strange, but at the end of the league part of the championship, they were always on the top with all (or almost all) wins and sometimes without single set lost. But they would mess everything up later in the play-offs. It is a similar story with the Bosnian cup.
- Stonoteniski klub (Table tennis club);
- Judo klub (Judo club);
- Streljački klub (Shooting sports club);
- Planinarsko društvo (Mountaineering society);
[edit] Supporters
SD Željezničar has a great number of supporters in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Most of them are concentrated on football, but other members of SD Željezničar have their fans. The most passionate fans are called The Maniacs and they are excellent in creating good atmosphere, outdoors and indoors. Since football is the most popular sport in country, FK Željezničar have the biggest army of supporters. Handball and basketball club are most popular indoor sports.
Interesting story is associated with basketball. Since there is no men's basketball club Željezničar anymore, and people really love that sport, two usually opposite groups of football fans - The Maniacs and Horde zla (who's SD Sarajevo also does not have a basketball club), can be found together cheering for KK Bosna.
