Fighting spirit, fan love, victory: ÖFB beats Bosnia-Herzegovina 2: 1!

Fighting spirit, fan love, victory: ÖFB beats Bosnia-Herzegovina 2: 1!

On September 10, 2025, the Austrian national team won 2-1 in the important World Cup qualification game against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The match was found in Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, which is considered one of the fortresses for the domestic national team. During the game there were over 400 Austrian fans on site, which contributed to the closed and emotional framework of the action.

Xaver Schlager, one of the key players in the ÖFB team, emphasized the need to create peace in the stadium, which was particularly important in the heated atmosphere. Christoph Baumgartner compared the Bilino Polje Stadium, which was opened in 1972, to the old forestry in Berlin. He highlighted the close atmosphere and the passionate support of the fans.

Game course and team performance

The game itself was characterized by timings and reactions. After the ÖFB team quickly took the lead again after the equalization to 1-1, Philipp Lienhart praised the ripeness and clarity of his team, especially in the final phase. David Alaba also emphasized how important the team's calm was in emotional moments, which contributed significantly to victory. It was noteworthy that the stadium only fell silent during the game, a clear statement about the support of domestic fans.

Unfortunately, Bosnia-Herzegovina did comparatively modestly in the last international encounters, including against Germany in October 2024. It is precisely this fact that makes Austrians victory all the more important. And so the team remained not only for victory after the final whistle, but also for the joint celebration with the fans who traveled with them.

The role of the Bilino Polje Stadium

The Bilino Polje stadium has a capacity of 15,000 spectators and is not only the home of the local football club NK Čelik, but is also considered a place that is strongly associated with football culture in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Numerous international matches have taken place there since the opening, including the first game of Bosnia-Herzegovinas against Albania in 1996. The club NK Čelik has celebrated great success in the past, but is now facing financial challenges and plays in the second division.

The city of Zenica, which is located on the Bosna river, is an industrial center known for its steel industry. This economic backbone has also brought numerous social and environmental challenges. Despite the difficulties, Zenica proves to be easy to reach, both by train and by bus, and offers various accommodation for visitors.

In summary, it can be said that the focus was not only on the victory of the Austrians, but also the impressive infrastructure and the passionate support of the fans in a stadium that is a fortress for many.