On the occasion of the humanitarian sports event "Tirana and Maracana" which will be held in memory of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national "A" team's football beginnings, a press conference has been held today in the hotel Europe in Sarajevo.

FFBIH general secretary Jasmin Bakovic, first national team coach Fuad Muzurovic, current coach and former national team member Mehmed Bazdarevic, former FFBIH spokesman Fuad Krvavac, and president of the FBiH Association of Sports Journalists Emir Delic addressed the media.

Bakovic: "The title of this event is 'Tirana and Maracana' because Tirana, Albania has been a place where we had our first official match, and Maracana is a symbol of Brazil in a way, but it's also a stadium where we played our first match in the World Cup two years ago. We played an exhibition match with Brazil in 1996, and we wanted to use this opportunity to remember the beginnings of our national team and the period when we started creating FFBIH. We'll have the opportunity to see the players from that period and we want tomorrow's event to pass in a good mood. Having said that, we have to mention the people who have left a deep mark in Bosnian football, but who are unfortunately no longer with us such as Ivica Mioca, Josip Katalinski, Suvad Katana, and dr. Ismet Arslanagic."

Muzurovic: "All of this reminded me of our first meeting when only nine players came, and when there was talk that Fazlagic and I, who already finished our careers, should be ready to play if necessary. That game with Albania is unforgettable, and I'd like to welcome Muharrem Zejnullahu who is here today, who is a friend of our country and one of those people who made that match in Tirana possible. Jusuf Pusina also played a huge role in this, besides many people who indebted modern Bosnian football. Thanks to Nikola Bilic we have pictures from that period today. Salih Sabanovic, Aleksandar Ristic and many others helped in those difficult times."

Krvavac: "When we heard that we'll play with Albania we tried to find out as much information as possible. We learned of the outcome of the game via radio amateurs from Podgorica. We departed for Brazil right in front of this hotel. We traveled for thirteen days just so we could play 90 minutes on the field. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only team that played against former World Cup finalists Brazil and Italy in the span of just 43 days."

Bazdarevic: "I'm happy to be a part of this. There are many people who gave their best in order for our team to have such good reputation in the world. It's a very nice initiative to remember all those people. We're hoping for even bigger successes in the future."

Delic: "The idea behind this event came from my colleague Sinan Sinanovic, with the aim to bring together all those who helped create the national team in a difficult period. I'd like to thank FFBIH and president Elvedin Begic for immediately embracing this initiative. We tried to get in touch with all the former team members from 1995 and 1996, they were thrilled about the idea, and they they gladly accepted our invitation."

Tickets for tomorrow's event are priced at 5,00 BAM and can be purchased in the Ferhadija street in Sarajevo but also at the Ramiz Salcin sports hall front desk. The event and an exhibition match is scheduled for 18:00 hours, followed by a nice get-together for participants and guests at the restaurant Oaza, Ilidza at 20:00 hours.

All proceeds from this event will go to the Institution for Special Education and Care of Children "Mjedenica" Sarajevo.

Those who have confirmed their presence are: Mehmed Baždarević, Elvir Bolić, Elvir Baljić, Blaž Slišković, Muhamed Konjić, Vlatko Glavaš, Vedin Musić, Nermin Šabić, Bakir Beširević, Mirza Varešanović, Admir Smajić, Nudžein Geca, Almir Turković, Senad Repuh, Senad Brkić, Pavo Dadić, Esmir Džafić, Said Fazlagić, Amir Osmanović, Sead Osmić, Samir Šabanović, Asim Hrnjić, Enes Demirović. Former head coaches Fuad Muzurovic and Miso Smajlovic will be leading our team in this game.