HSK Zrinjski Mostar coach Igor Štimac spoke at length about the half-season, which he described as one of the most intense in his career, about the European breakthrough of the Mostar club, the fight for the title of BiH champion, the state of Croatian football, but also about the political wishes for the future of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Igor Štimac in conversation for Sports Club looked back on the half-season with Zrinjski, pointing out that preparations in Medjugorje they go according to plan, without injuries and with the expected intensity of work.
Transformation of Zrinjsko
Zrinjski, he stated, won the elimination phase of the UEFA Conference League and duel with Crystal Palaceand is three points behind the leader Borce from Banja Luka in the championship.
Štimac emphasized that the team went through a big transformation after the departure of seven key players, and that he himself joined only after relegation from the Champions League qualifiers, without much time to get to know the team. Like the key to success he emphasized mutual understanding, trust and hard work, and he singled out the match with Vienna Rapid in particular, saying that the goal in stoppage time was not a matter of luck, but faith and perseverance until the last second.
In that period, he said, Zrinjski also passed through injuries, suspensions and virus which kicked out ten players in 15 days, which is why they were even in the process 36 players and tried to give everyone a chance.
Zrinjski as the crown of everything
He evaluated the European ranking historic for the cluband he added that he feels that working in Zrinjski could be the crown of everything he has gone through in football.
It’s for the club historic success. Trophies are a beautiful thing, I had them in my career as a player and coach, but I feel that what I do with Zrinjski will be crown of all what I experienced as a player, coach, official, sports director and as a person who played one of the key roles in the development of Croatian footballsaid Stimac.
On the eve of the trial with Crystal Palace, he admitted that they are wished for Lausannepointing out the big difference in market value, but he said that Zrinjski will try play for the pride of the fans and without retreating to the defense.
A tough fight for the title
Speaking about the fight for the title in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he said that this season will be the most difficult to win the title.
Everyone plays against us to the max it’s the hardest for us get the title, but we don’t give upsaid Stimac.
Štimac commented and the state of football in Croatiajudging that it is league in decline and that the “League 10” model is a failure because it narrows the base and encourages reliance on overpaid foreigners. In this context, he warned that it will be increasingly difficult for Croatia to reach the group stages of European competitions and that there are fewer and fewer players in the national team coming from the domestic league.
Hajduk will not be champion
About Hajduk’s chances for the title he was specific, saying yes Hajduk will certainly not be championswhile he pointed out that Dinamo can only threaten itself.
About Zvonimir Boban, he said that he had a hard time at the end of last season, but that the results should be evaluated at the end of the season and that he is against quick changes of coaches.
On the question of returning to HNL he replied that he does not see himself in the HNL and that it is not in his plans, stressing that he is in Mostar because of the people who run the club and the desire to contribute to the success of Zrinjski, at least until the end of the season.
Štimč’s wish: Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina have their own entity
At the end of the conversation, Štimac stated personal wishes for 2026 year.
He said he wanted to Zrinjski won the championship and European worthy representative of the club, but he also added political message.
My wish is that this year our HSK Zrinjski win the championship, we play great games against Palace and take the trophies in front of us, yes our Croats in BiH get their own entityto make Croatia beautiful and proud and to see less of these things waving Yugoslavian flagsconcluded Štimac.
Zrinjski published a harsh statement regarding the removal of the installation: Haters and politicians spread lies – check the facts!
(www.jabuka.tv | Photo: screenshot)
