Grbavica Stadium
Encyclopedia
Grbavica Stadium is located in Grbavica
, Sarajevo
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
. The football
stadium has terraces close to the pitch and it is the home of FK Željezničar. The stadium has a capacity to hold 12,000 spectators, with 9,000 places that are seated. It is also known as the "Valley of Cups".
by SD Željezničar
. Although there were several football pitches with bleachers and stands in Sarajevo at the time (including the freshly built Koševo Stadium), it was decided by communist authorities that Željezničar should have its own playing facility. Many of the club's supporters, friends, and members, including a number Yugoslav People's Army
personnel helped in the construction of the stadium. Unlike Koševo that was a large-scale project with generous state support through funds and manpower, Grbavica had a lot fewer people working on it and as a result took much longer to complete. A new pitch with a drainage system was built and the stands were built with concrete. The south and east side were made out of concrete, while wooden stands that were taken from the Marijin Dvor ground that was torn down, got placed on the west side. At first, Grbavica was a multi-use stadium. Competitions in cycling and athletics were organized, as well as football matches. Eventually its use became football only. It was officially opened on September 13, 1953 with the Yugoslav Second League
western division match between Željezničar and Šibenik. Željezničar won 4-1.
) played its first ever match at the stadium. In a Euro 88 qualification
clash versus Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia won 3-0.
The stadium suffered heavy structural damage during the Bosnian War
that brok out in 1992. The stadium was located between the first front lines and endured heavy fighting. Bosnian Serbs' forces burned the wooden terraces. It was not until 1996 that a football match would be played here again. Symbolically, the first match after the war was the local derby
.
neighbourhood, under the Šanac hill on which the railway tracks were. When the train was passing over the stadium, it would sound it's horn to salute the crowd. Nowadays, the old railway is no longer in use. There are however trolleybuses that pass by the stadium and visitors are able to come to the stadium with other modes of public transportation as well. The tram
is also very close and most of the lines stop near the Socijalno station, which is some 300 meters from the stadium.
from Székesfehérvár
. Videoton brought a 1-3 advantage from the first leg, however, the home side fought valiantly in front of the racous home crowd and was 2-0 ahead on goals by Edin Bahtić
in the 5th and Edin Ćurić
in the 62nd minute. Just a few minutes from the end, Željo still had a result that would see it take on mighty Real Madrid in the UEFA Cup final. However, disaster struck in the 87th minute when Videoton right back József Csuhay
snuck in unmarked and scored a goal for 2-1 that took his team to the final and saw Željezničar's hopes dashed in the cruelest of fashions.
, on November 8 2011 the team welcomed a full strength national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina
and played a friendly that finished 1:2 in favor of the visitors. Scorer for the national team was Vedad Ibisevic
with two goals. Scorer for FK Zeljeznicar
was Mirsad Bešlija
.
Grbavica (Sarajevo)
Grbavica is a quarter of the city of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was the scene of intensive street fights during the war in Sarajevo.The Bosnian film “Grbavica” was based on events that happened in the city during the Bosnian War....
, Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
. The football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
stadium has terraces close to the pitch and it is the home of FK Željezničar. The stadium has a capacity to hold 12,000 spectators, with 9,000 places that are seated. It is also known as the "Valley of Cups".
Construction
The building of the football ground in Grbavica started during late 1940s1940s
File:1940s decade montage.png|Above title bar: events which happened during World War II : From left to right: Troops in an LCVP landing craft approaching "Omaha" Beach on "D-Day"; Adolf Hitler visits Paris, soon after the Battle of France; The Holocaust occurred during the war as Nazi Germany...
by SD Željezničar
SD Željeznicar
SD Željezničar is the second biggest association of sport clubs with the same name in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The biggest one is the USD Bosna. It was founded in 1921 by a group of railway workers as RŠD SD Željezničar is the second biggest association of sport clubs with the same name in Bosnia...
. Although there were several football pitches with bleachers and stands in Sarajevo at the time (including the freshly built Koševo Stadium), it was decided by communist authorities that Željezničar should have its own playing facility. Many of the club's supporters, friends, and members, including a number Yugoslav People's Army
Yugoslav People's Army
The Yugoslav People's Army , also referred to as the Yugoslav National Army , was the military of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.-Origins:The origins of the JNA can...
personnel helped in the construction of the stadium. Unlike Koševo that was a large-scale project with generous state support through funds and manpower, Grbavica had a lot fewer people working on it and as a result took much longer to complete. A new pitch with a drainage system was built and the stands were built with concrete. The south and east side were made out of concrete, while wooden stands that were taken from the Marijin Dvor ground that was torn down, got placed on the west side. At first, Grbavica was a multi-use stadium. Competitions in cycling and athletics were organized, as well as football matches. Eventually its use became football only. It was officially opened on September 13, 1953 with the Yugoslav Second League
Yugoslav Second League
Yugoslav Second League was the second tier football league of SFR Yugoslavia. The top clubs were promoted to the top tier, the Yugoslav First League....
western division match between Željezničar and Šibenik. Željezničar won 4-1.
1970s renovations
In 1968 renovations on the stadium began and on April 25, 1976 Grbavica got re-opened. About 50,000 cubic meters of materials were used, and the floodlights were installed. Two training pitches and the "little sports stadium" were added, as well as new dressing rooms, showers and other important facilities. The Đurasović family were the first donors.1986: Northern stand added
In 1986 a proper northern stand was finally built. There were plans for the whole stadium to be remodeled and encircled to look like the newly built north stand, but they got shelved for the time being. As a result of the renovations, in October 1987, Yugoslav national football team (coached at the time by Željo legend Ivica OsimIvica Osim
Ivan "Ivica" Osim is a Bosnian former football player and manager. He was most recently head coach of Japan, before he suffered a stroke in November 2007 and left the post...
) played its first ever match at the stadium. In a Euro 88 qualification
UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying Group 4
Standings and results for Group 4 of the 1988 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying tournament.Group 4 consisted of England, Northern Ireland, Turkey and Yugoslavia...
clash versus Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia won 3-0.
The stadium suffered heavy structural damage during the Bosnian War
Bosnian War
The Bosnian War or the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina was an international armed conflict that took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina between April 1992 and December 1995. The war involved several sides...
that brok out in 1992. The stadium was located between the first front lines and endured heavy fighting. Bosnian Serbs' forces burned the wooden terraces. It was not until 1996 that a football match would be played here again. Symbolically, the first match after the war was the local derby
Sarajevo derby
The Sarajevo derby is a match between big city rivals FK Željezničar Sarajevo and FK Sarajevo, two of the biggest and most popular clubs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is generally considered as one of few with the best atmosphere in the region. Fans usually make great decore with a lot of big...
.
After the Bosnian War
It was partly remodelled in following years, the last time being in 2004. There are new proposals for a major overhaul of the current facilities. The new project proposes the creation of new roofed terraces on each side, and the increase of the capacity to 24,000 seated places. Other facilities such as a training ground near the stadium are proposed. These new proposals are still waiting financial backing.Location
The stadium is located in the GrbavicaGrbavica (Sarajevo)
Grbavica is a quarter of the city of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was the scene of intensive street fights during the war in Sarajevo.The Bosnian film “Grbavica” was based on events that happened in the city during the Bosnian War....
neighbourhood, under the Šanac hill on which the railway tracks were. When the train was passing over the stadium, it would sound it's horn to salute the crowd. Nowadays, the old railway is no longer in use. There are however trolleybuses that pass by the stadium and visitors are able to come to the stadium with other modes of public transportation as well. The tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
is also very close and most of the lines stop near the Socijalno station, which is some 300 meters from the stadium.
Notable matches
By far the most notable match played at the stadium was the 1984-85 UEFA Cup semifinal return leg on 24 April 1985 between Željezničar and Hungarian visitors Videoton FCVideoton FC
Videoton FC is a Hungarian professional football club based in Székesfehérvár, playing in the Hungarian League as of 2011. Videoton has won one Hungarian League title, one Hungarian Cup title, two Hungarian League Cup titles and one Hungarian Super Cup title...
from Székesfehérvár
Székesfehérvár
Székesfehérvár is a city in central Hungary and is the 9th largest in the country. Located around southwest of Budapest. It is inhabited by 101,973 people , with 136,995 in the Székesfehérvár Subregion. The city is the centre of Fejér county and the regional centre of Central Transdanubia...
. Videoton brought a 1-3 advantage from the first leg, however, the home side fought valiantly in front of the racous home crowd and was 2-0 ahead on goals by Edin Bahtić
Edin Bahtic
Edin Bahtić - Fićo is a former Bosnian football player.He got his nickname after famous Yugoslav car Zastava 750 or Fićo.-Career:...
in the 5th and Edin Ćurić
Edin Curic
Edin Ćurić is a former Bosnian football player.His football career began in FK Željezničar. He had played for youth squads before he finally made his senior debut in 1980/1981 season, under the guidance of club's manager Ivica Osim...
in the 62nd minute. Just a few minutes from the end, Željo still had a result that would see it take on mighty Real Madrid in the UEFA Cup final. However, disaster struck in the 87th minute when Videoton right back József Csuhay
József Csuhay
József Csuhay is a retired Hungarian footballer.During his club career he played for Videoton FC Fehérvár, including both legs of the 1985 UEFA Cup Final, where they lost to Real Madrid 1-3 on aggregate. He took part in both the 1982 FIFA World Cup and the 1986 FIFA World Cup for the Hungary...
snuck in unmarked and scored a goal for 2-1 that took his team to the final and saw Željezničar's hopes dashed in the cruelest of fashions.
International matches
| Date | Result | Competition | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 October 1987 | 3-0 | Euro 88 qualifying UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying Group 4 Standings and results for Group 4 of the 1988 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying tournament.Group 4 consisted of England, Northern Ireland, Turkey and Yugoslavia... |
||
| 27 March 2002 | 4-4 | Friendly | ||
| 10 August 2010 | 1-1 | Friendly | ||
Friendly matches
As part of the 90th birthday celebration for the FK ZeljeznicarFK Željeznicar
FK Željezničar is a professional football club from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo.The initial acronym stands for Fudbalski sportski klub , and the name Željezničar means "railway worker," given because it was established by a group of railway workers.Željezničar, alias "Željo," is the most...
, on November 8 2011 the team welcomed a full strength national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
and played a friendly that finished 1:2 in favor of the visitors. Scorer for the national team was Vedad Ibisevic
Vedad Ibiševic
Vedad Ibišević is a Bosnian footballer playing as striker for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga and the Bosnian national team. He has also played in Switzerland, the USA and France...
with two goals. Scorer for FK Zeljeznicar
FK Željeznicar
FK Željezničar is a professional football club from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo.The initial acronym stands for Fudbalski sportski klub , and the name Željezničar means "railway worker," given because it was established by a group of railway workers.Željezničar, alias "Željo," is the most...
was Mirsad Bešlija
Mirsad Bešlija
Mirsad Bešlija is a Bosnian football winger who is currently playing for Bosnian side, FK Željezničar. He has also played for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team....
.