Salines futsal players have had an excellent season behind them, and strong performances have earned Sulejman Salkić a call-up to the national team.

“I’m extremely happy, it’s an amazing feeling when you realize a childhood dream has just come true. I’m proud of myself, of the team I come from, and of everything we’ve achieved together,” said Salkić and added: “Everyone at the club congratulated me because this call-up is also recognition for our team, that we’ve been working very well.”

Impressions of his teammates and the way things are run in the national team are slowly settling in, but it’s already clear that Salkić and the other newcomers have blended in well.

“I know most of the players from the futsal league and other competitions, so they all welcomed us really well. It’s a privilege to practice with these guys, and I have to say that the sessions are way more demanding than those at the club. This is the national team, after all, and it’s played at a much higher level.”

The Husejin Smajlović sports arena will welcome a team with a long futsal tradition, both at national and club level. Spain is one of the strongest in the world, and there’s no player who wouldn’t want to debut against them. Salkić’s thinking about it too, but he highlights:

“Just getting the call-up already made me very happy and motivated to prove myself and justify the trust that’s been given to me. Stepping onto a court you know well, in front of your home crowd, against a great Spain, would be the peak of my career so far. The Zenica crowd is something special. Futsal is loved and understood here, and has tradition. I’m sure the support from the stands will be amazing, whether I play or not.”

To wrap it up, Salkić says: “Come support us and be our sixth player. That means a lot to us, and we’ll repay it with fighting spirit and effort on the court.”