One of the most important outcomes of that tournament can be seen in the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national team players, many of whom have already taken significant steps towards international leagues and major European clubs early in their careers. Their progress is the best proof that investment in youth national teams, international competitions and high-quality work with young players brings long-term and sustainable results. The WU17 European Championship gave these players not only the opportunity to present themselves on the European stage, but also additional confidence, experience and motivation for further professional development.
Gloria Slišković, who was a member of SFK 2000 Sarajevo and captain of the WU17 national team at the time, moved from domestic football to Juventus, later played for Napoli, and currently represents Hamburger SV in Germany.
Particular attention has also been drawn to the career of Una Rankić, the youngest player at the 2022 tournament, who this season completed a transfer from Leotar Trebinje to Basel. Rankić also made world football history as the youngest player ever to debut for a senior national team in official matches, further confirming the exceptional potential of the generation that played on home soil four years ago.
Other national team players have also made important career steps. Iman Dumanjić, a member of SFK 2000 Sarajevo, transferred last year from Radnik to Turkish club Amedspor. Lana Radulović moved from Radnik to Spartak and has also secured a place in the senior national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nina Brnić, who played for Inter Posušje during the championship, is now a member of Hajduk and a regular national team player, just like Tasneem Dizdarević, who currently plays for Lindenwood University (USA) and was called up to the senior national team last year.
Dalal Bratović has also developed into a regular member of the first team of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s multiple champions, SFK 2000 Sarajevo.
These examples clearly demonstrate that the WU17 European Championship had a strong and lasting impact on the development of women’s football in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Beyond individual careers, the tournament also had a wider social impact — interest among girls in joining football schools increased, youth development systems within clubs improved, and women’s football gained significantly more space in public and media discourse. In addition, a large number of coaches, referees and volunteers gained education and practical experience through working at an international tournament, which represents an additional value for the entire football system.
In this context, the UEFA Women’s Under-19 European Championship, which will be held in Sarajevo and Zenica, represents a natural continuation of the process that has already begun and a confirmation of the trust UEFA places in the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The new major competition is not only an organisational challenge, but also an opportunity to further strengthen the foundations of women’s football development, improve infrastructure, enhance professional capacities and create an inspiring environment for new generations of players.
WU17 marked the beginning of an important journey, WU19 is its next step — while the long-term goal remains clear: building a stable, recognisable and competitive women’s football system in Bosnia and Herzegovina that will continuously produce players capable of competing at the highest European and global level.
