Dzeko leads Bosnia to second World Cup after 12-year absence
7 reported
According to a BBC News report, Bosnia-Herzegovina qualified for only their second World Cup after beating Italy on penalties, with 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko playing a key role despite nursing an arm injury. Dzeko, who holds Bosnia’s records for appearances (148) and goals (73), helped the team overcome play-off defeats to Wales and Italy after trailing in both matches. The qualification comes 12 years after Bosnia’s first World Cup appearance in 2014, which was the only major tournament for the country’s so-called golden generation. Dzeko’s career is described by Bosnian journalist Sasa Ibrulj as connected to the country’s image of resilience and persistence, forged against the backdrop of the Bosnian War that began in 1992. The squad includes 17 players born outside Bosnia, reflecting a diaspora thought to be as large as two million people. Dzeko stated he did not expect to be playing at age 40 but is happy to lead the team, saying the experience will change the lives of younger players.
What’s reported
Bosnia qualified for their second World Cup by beating Italy on penalties after trailing in the match.
Edin Dzeko, age 40, captained the team and scored a late equalizer against Wales and set up the equalizer against Italy.
Dzeko holds Bosnia’s records for most appearances (148) and most goals (73).
Bosnia’s first World Cup was in 2014, which was the only major tournament for the golden generation.
Seventeen of the 26 players in the squad were born outside Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Bosnian War began in 1992, costing around 80,000 lives, and Dzeko’s family remained in Sarajevo during the siege.
Dzeko became Bosnia’s first Unicef ambassador in 2009 and has donated to renovations at his former club Zeljeznicar.
Key figures
Edin Dzeko – Bosnia captain and all-time leading scorer
Sasa Ibrulj – Bosnian journalist
Alen Dokic (Doppelganger) – musician who produced a World Cup song
Asmir Begovic – former Bosnia goalkeeper
Esmir Bajraktarevic – scored the penalty that sent Bosnia to the World Cup
Sergej Barbarez – Bosnia’s World Cup squad manager
Mirza Trbonja – Dzeko’s friend
Sources: BBC News
