Dino Mujanovic is one of the tenants of the building overlooking the Bilino Polje stadium in Zenica. In the last few days he has received absurd offers. “I rejected them all.” And it’s certain about the World Cup. “We will be there in June, sorry for Italy”
At the intersection of Fra Ivana Franje Jukića, between the Bilino Polje stadium in Zenica and the Bosna river, there is a huge twenty-storey building. It was built in the early seventies in front of the historic facility that hosts the matches of the Bosnian national team, Celik and also rugby. It hosts hundreds of families, the balconies overlook the field. Dino Mujanovic has always lived in one of those apartments: in the living room he has a huge gray sofa with a television. However, he follows the matches with family and friends by standing in front of the window: “Immediately after the playoff semi-final for the World Cup won by Dzeko and his teammates against Wales, I published an ironic post on Instagram. I thought about renting my balcony for €500 for the match against Italy. The price included barbecue and a drink of your choice. Obviously I was joking, but instead friends and fans wrote me dozens of messages”. On Tuesday, Gattuso’s team will play for access to the competition in a very complicated stadium: “The tickets were all sold on Thursday night. Here a Bosnian team has already beaten an Italian club, it was the 1972 Mitropa Cup final. Celik managed to beat Fiorentina 1-0, in front of 34 thousand people. That time, however, the referee was rooting for the Azzurri, but this time it won’t be like that.”
The offers for a seat on his balcony keep coming.
“On Instagram I receive notifications constantly, even the phone rings non-stop. People have contacted me offering me anything: money, a Lada Niva (Russian off-road vehicle). Even two tons of pellets to fuel the heating.”
People contacted me offering anything: money, a Lada Niva (Russian off-road vehicle). Even two tons of pellets to power the heating”
The strangest request?
“A ton of potatoes for next winter. I ignored all the requests, many were ironic. With my post I was aiming for this, it was a provocation, not a real offer.”
Didn’t you even think for a moment about giving in?
“Absolutely not. I will watch the playoff final against Italy as always, together with the people I love. Eating and toasting. Both the house and the balcony are reserved exclusively for my family. We will cheer for the national team, for Bosnia, for Džeko, Demirović, Alajbegović and the others. We hope to celebrate.”
Have you organized a special initiative in your condominium?
“We will all look out of windows and balconies, like every time the national team and Celik play.”
What is it like to live in front of Bilino Polje?
“The stadium was built in a historic place for the country. It is the home of the national team, but it stands on land where one of the most important events of our past occurred. In 1189, Kulin – the Ban of Bosnia – signed a trade agreement with the Republic of Ragusa for the development of markets along the Balkan routes of the Mediterranean”.
In the condominium where he lives with his family there is also an apartment for rent on Booking.
“There is more than one, they cost around 30 euros a night in normal times. On Tuesday there will not be an empty place in our homes.”
How does it end against Italy?
“With all due respect to you, the Azzurri will miss the third consecutive World Cup. Bosnia will be on the pitch in June.”
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
