2004 Interliga
The 2004 Interliga was a football competition organized by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). The tournament was held from March to May 2004, featuring top-tier clubs from the three entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, and Brčko District.
Background
The 2004 Interliga was a revival of the Bosnian football league system, which had been suspended since the Bosnian War in the early 1990s. The tournament aimed to promote unity and cooperation among the three entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
History
The first edition of the Interliga took place in 2004, featuring eight teams from the three entities:
- Bosna Visoko
- Čapljina
- Dečić
- FBK 70
- Modrića
- Olimpija
- Široki Brijeg
- Zrinjski Mostar
The tournament was won by Široki Brijeg, who defeated Olimpija in the final with a score of 3-0.
Tournament format
The Interliga was played as a round-robin competition, with each team playing every other team twice (home and away).
Standings
| Team | Games Played | Wins | Draws | Loses | Goals For | Goals Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Široki Brijeg | 14 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 7 | 32 |
| Olimpija | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 23 | 9 | 28 |
| Bosna Visoko | 14 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 12 | 24 |
| Dečić | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 21 | 15 | 21 |
| FBK 70 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 17 |
| Modrića | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 16 | 25 | 15 |
| Čapljina | 14 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 12 | 28 | 11 |
| Zrinjski Mostar | 14 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 30 | 7 |
Trouble and Controversy
The Interliga was plagued by controversy from the beginning, with tensions between teams from different entities.
Controversial Final Match
The final match of the Interliga is widely regarded as one of the most contentious matches in Bosnian football history. Olimpija and Široki Brijeg played a thrilling match, with Olimpija coming from behind to level the score 3-3 before being awarded a penalty kick in injury time.
Scandalous Penalty Decision
The penalty decision has been widely criticized as one of the most questionable decisions in Bosnian football history. Olimpija's goalkeeper, Živko Đukić, saved the penalty kick from Široki Brijeg's striker, Samir Zvicer, only for the match to be replayed due to a disputed offside call.
Legacy and Impact
The Interliga played an important role in promoting unity among the three entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, its legacy is also marred by controversy and scandal.
Current Status
The Interliga was suspended after the 2004 edition due to financial difficulties and a lack of support from the participating teams.
Resurgence Efforts
Efforts have been made in recent years to revive the Interliga, but so far, none have been successful.
Related Topics
The 2004 Interliga is closely related to other football competitions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the Premier League and the Bosnian Cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Association
The Bosnian Football Association (FAs) is responsible for governing football in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The FAs oversees all aspects of football in the country, including the Interliga.
Constitutional Framework
The Bosnian Constitution establishes a framework for governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including sports organizations like the FAs.
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