Preparations for the European Championship are underway. What are your expectations from this training camp, and what will be the main focus in the coming days?
Our main focus during these final days of preparation is on getting ready for our first opponent, Germany. Our goal is to ensure that the team is as united and motivated as possible, and those are the aspects we are working on every day.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will host the final tournament of the UEFA Women’s Under-19 European Championship. How significant is this for this generation of players and for women’s football in your country?
I believe this is one of the most important moments for women’s football in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For the second time, we have the opportunity to host this major competition, and we are aware of the attention it brings to women’s football. What makes me especially happy is that our players will experience everything that comes with a European Championship. I am confident they will give their very best so that women’s football remains visible and continues to grow even after this tournament.
During the preparation period, you also played friendly matches against Slovenia. How much did those games help you gain a clearer picture of the team ahead of the EURO?
The friendly matches against Slovenia were extremely valuable for us. Since Slovenia plays in a system used by many top national teams, we had the opportunity to work on adapting to and dealing with different formations, which is an important challenge for us. The victory we achieved also gave us an additional boost of confidence that we needed.
The group Bosnia and Herzegovina is in is very demanding. How do you view the upcoming matches against Germany, Sweden and Poland?
It is certainly a very challenging group, but that also gives us the opportunity to see where we currently stand and motivates us even more to give our maximum. It is a special feeling to play against national teams that have won the European Championship multiple times. Our mindset is clear – we have not come just to participate, but to compete.
What do you consider to be the greatest strength of this generation of players?
What characterizes this generation is the maturity the players show when it matters most, as well as the tremendous desire and unity they display every time they put on the Bosnia and Herzegovina shirt.
You often emphasize team spirit and unity. How important can the atmosphere within the squad be as a key factor for success at the tournament?
I believe a positive atmosphere can make a huge difference. Our senior national team has shown that, together with their coaching staff, they were able to achieve excellent results thanks to their team spirit. Their success is an inspiration to all of us.
What message would you like to send to the fans ahead of the tournament, and how much will their support mean to your team?
I would like the fans of Bosnia and Herzegovina to recognize how special this moment is and to enjoy it together with us. Their support will mean a great deal to our team, and our players deserve the opportunity to try to write new pages in the history of Bosnian and Herzegovinian football alongside their fellow citizens.
