Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Igor Štimac secured his first trophy as manager of Zrinjski Mostar on Wednesday, as the club defeated Sarajevo 4-1 in a penalty shootout to win the 2026 Bosnia and Herzegovina Supercup. The match, played at the Stadion Pod Bijelim Brijegom, ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, forcing the issue to be decided from the spot. This marks the second consecutive Supercup title for Zrinjski.
The victory comes with significant financial implications for Zrinjski, as Štimac noted after the match, referencing “huge expenditure” leading up to the competition. The Supercup win is a boost for the club as they continue their season, aiming to close the gap on league leaders Borac Banja Luka, who currently hold a nine-point advantage after 25 matches.
Štimac, although, was quick to deflect personal praise, emphasizing the collective effort behind the triumph. “I am overjoyed, first and foremost for the fans who are so persistent, for the players and their families, and for the club,” Štimac said after the final whistle. “I am the least important part of this whole story.”
The match itself was a tightly contested affair, with both sides struggling to break the deadlock during regular time. Sarajevo had an early opportunity in the 4th minute when Elezi’s shot hit the crossbar, while Zrinjski responded with a chance from Abramović in the 16th minute, which was saved by Sarajevo goalkeeper Ivan Banić. Further chances came and went for both teams, including a missed header from Bralić for Sarajevo in the 78th minute following a Ljajić cross, and a saved shot from Lagumdžija for Zrinjski in the 65th minute, again denied by Banić.
The penalty shootout proved to be decisive. Goran Karačić, Zrinjski’s goalkeeper, emerged as the hero, saving penalties from Slavko Bralić and Luka Menalo. Nemanja Bilbija, Antonio Ilić, Petar Mamić, and Dan Lagumdžija all successfully converted their spot-kicks for Zrinjski, while Ristovski was the sole scorer for Sarajevo. Karačić’s performance in the shootout was pivotal, securing the Supercup for the Mostar-based club.
Štimac similarly praised the officiating crew, stating, “Compliments to the referees, this is how football should be refereed.” This comment comes amidst ongoing discussions regarding the standard of officiating in Bosnian football, and suggests Štimac was satisfied with the impartiality of the match officials.
This Supercup victory represents a significant milestone for Štimac, who took charge of Zrinjski in August of last year. It’s his first piece of silverware as the club’s manager, and a positive sign for their ambitions in the ongoing season. The win also highlights the growing competitiveness of Bosnian football, with both Zrinjski and Sarajevo demonstrating their quality on the pitch.
Zrinjski’s success in the Supercup adds another chapter to the club’s history, and provides a platform for continued success in the league and potential European campaigns. The team will now turn their attention back to league play, aiming to close the gap on Borac Banja Luka and compete for the championship title.
The next confirmed match for Zrinjski is yet to be announced, but details will be available on the club’s official website and through local sports news outlets. Fans can follow the team’s progress and receive updates on upcoming fixtures through these channels.
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