By winning the second position in the group in League B, our girls achieved the scheduled plan. Regardless of what will be the outcome of the match in Zenica and, five days later (28th February) in Stockholm, the BH women’s national team has already made significant progress in the game on the international stage.
Head coach Samira Hurem is finalizing the preparation plan that she will soon present to the players, and until then she is focused on analysing their performances in the clubs:
“From the moment we learned who our opponent would be in the play-offs, we didn’t stop thinking about them. In addition, I follow the preparations and the game of our national team players every day, especially those who play abroad. Today, it is not so difficult, there are many platforms where you can watch matches, so my colleagues and I always have an insight into the shape and the game of our national team players. We often hear each other and talk, which certainly makes my job easier, for some the championships have started and others are entering the final stage of preparations. What is nice and what can be an inspiration and additional motivation for our girls to work are the transfers of players to European clubs. It is an indicator that we are doing well and I believe that it will have a positive effect on their confidence, because they are aware of how demanding the match with Sweden will be. I look forward every weekend when I see them getting in good shape, playing, and it’s great that Marija Aleksić is coming back to us after her injury.”
Is there something, head coach, that worries you?
“There are always some things that need to be sorted out, but in general, we did a lot in the premier edition of the Nations League B and achieved our goal. We can be proud of this success. We have laid good foundations for the future, and for what follows, it is certain that we will not have a lot of pressure. We want to play well and for now I’m not worried about anything. We are in contact with some players who could come, they are young players from America who performed for WU17 and WU19 and were already with the seniors. We are looking forward to the new gathering and we want to present ourselves well in those matches. I hope that everyone will arrive healthy and that no one will get hurt during the preparations.”
Women's football is extremely popular and developed in Sweden. Where are we in that context?
“It cannot be compared; they are at the very top of women’s football in Europe and the world. They are participants in the biggest competitions, we know who plays there. As I follow our players, I also watch every match of their national team. The difference is big, but it should be kept in mind that we came here based on our results and our game. The first-leg match at home is very important, because of self-confidence, but also because of the support of the audience and people who are always with the players. It will certainly be more difficult away. What I do know is that they announce us spectacularly, they perceive us as a serious opponent and they certainly think a lot about that match. Due to their quality, the Swedish women should have qualified for the Olympic Games and remained in League A, but they did not achieve that goal and I believe that they will not allow themselves to slip up. But the pressure is on them, not on us, we just want to play well.”
What can we expect in the duel with Sweden?
“If we had played with them two or three years ago, it would have been much easier, because then they had a slight decline, which was followed by the change of a great generation led by Lotta Schelin. Now it is again an excellent, experienced, and quality team with players who play in the best clubs. They created a team that produces results and we know that their captain Asllani plays for Milan, some are in Arsenal, Chelsea, etc. Maybe it’s our misfortune that we’re playing against them now, when they’ve regained their top quality. On the other hand, I always say that it is better to play against the best teams, because in that case our players also grow and improve. Although it will be difficult for the players, me, the technical staff, once again emphasize that such matches bring experience, maturity, as well as a lot of positive and important things for individual and team development. I mentioned that we have created a foundation for the future. All this is part of a process that we need to continue in the future, for our young players to develop and achieve continuous improvement in results.”
