Chapter 80: The Championship Belongs to Mostar

With the contract finally signed, Suker could finally let go of the anxiety he had been carrying. Knowing Suker had a crucial match the next day, Besic didn't keep him long. The two parted ways shortly after. Back at the training base, Suker seemed visibly more relaxed. "You signed the contract?" Modric asked. Although the club hadn't announced anything publicly, Modric was one of the few who knew. Suker smiled and gave an 'OK' gesture, prompting a smile from Modric's face as well. He could continue playing alongside Suker. After the final pre-match training session, head coach Van Stoyak called everyone together. Suker and the rest lined up in two rows, waiting for the coach's talk. Van Stoyak looked at each player one by one, his gaze filled with encouragement. "After a season of hard work, we're finally here!" he said, his voice trembling slightly with tension over the upcoming critical match. "There is only one champion every season! It is an honor awarded to the team with the best performance!" "For Zrinjski Mostar, this is the closest we've ever come to the Bosnian Premier League title since the club's founding!" "You must remember—you're making history!" His words began to ignite a fire in the hearts of the players. "I can't predict what will happen tomorrow, but I believe in you! Your hard work this season won't be in vain. The championship will become part of the DNA of this club!" "This is just a small town in Bosnia—insignificant in the eyes of the nation!" "But tomorrow, with a win, you'll make all of Bosnia hear the voice of Mostar!" Van Stoyak clenched his fist and shouted, "The championship belongs to Mostar!" The team roared in unison: "The championship belongs to Mostar!" "We're playing FK Željezničar Sarajevo tomorrow. Why is it that they're always in our way during big matches?" Skolk said, looking at Suker and Modric. Then, with a hopeful look: "I wonder if I'll get a chance to play tomorrow?" Skolk had already given up chasing after the others. For him, just being friends with Suker and Modric was a bittersweet experience. Watching his two friends shine on the pitch while he still fought for a starting spot from the bench was tough. At first, he was unwilling to accept it and tried to chase them, but with time, he gave up. He couldn't keep up. They were just on a different level. "You'll probably get a chance in the second half. Our strategy is to get an early lead, then shift to defense. Even though Van Stoyak is an aggressive coach, he'll still be cautious in a game this important," Suker analyzed. "Right! I should have a chance!" Skolk said, filled with anticipation. "Make sure to get good rest tonight, don't let anything affect tomorrow's game," said Kosovic as he came over, naturally placing a hand on Suker's and Modric's shoulders. Suker turned and smiled. "Captain, get ready to score tomorrow—I'll pass you the ball!" Modric added seriously, "I'll push hard in the first half too!" Seeing their fighting spirit, Kosovic felt deeply gratified. The day before the match passed in quiet preparation. Everyone was focused on final adjustments for the big game. The Next Morning The usually quiet town was now buzzing with activity. From dawn, vendors were already pushing their carts toward the Zrinjski stadium. Fans brought various items needed for the match. Although the match wouldn't start until 3 PM, the atmosphere of tension and excitement had already spread. Zoom! Bosnia's national TV broadcast van sped down Mostar's main road toward the stadium. They needed to get there early to set up camera equipment for the live broadcast. Reporters from all over the country also arrived in Mostar, randomly interviewing locals. "Champions? Yes! We are the champions!" a young man in a bucket hat and T-shirt proudly declared into the camera. "This will be Mostar's first championship—it touches every one of us. We all believe Zrinjski Mostar will bring home the title!" "My favorite player? Suker! Hahaha! We were teammates two seasons ago in the second division!" "That's right! With the Mostar Wanderers! Hahaha!" "Who's better now—me or Suker? Honestly, I'd like to say I'm good too, but I've already quit football. Suker is way better than he was back then." Kovic laughed heartily in front of the camera. He pulled a business card from his pocket and held it up. "I'm a sailor. We go out fishing in June. Any interested buyers, feel free to contact me!" In Mlinar's Workshop... Oripe looked serious in front of the camera. "I discovered Suker. He almost lost his chance at a professional career due to his height. But when I saw him play, I recognized his talent!" "He's exceptional—beyond compare! And now, he's proven it!" "In my team, he was always the core player!" "Zrinjski Mostar was founded in 1905. We once competed in the Yugoslav First League, but were soon relegated. We've never won any honors. Now we're on the verge of giving the club its first taste of glory!" Sporting Director Kely Vekmanzic declared firmly to the camera: "This season, we are determined to win the championship and start a new era for Zrinjski Mostar!" By noon, the temperature remained cool in May, but the sun was scorching. Fans gathered around the stadium, many holding umbrellas as they claimed their spots early. That's right—they were saving seats! To accommodate the crowd, both Zrinjski Mostar and the town government announced free entry for the game. The south stand remained empty; it was reserved for students. The club had negotiated with local schools to provide 500 seats for students to watch, aiming to plant a seed of "hometown pride" in the next generation. After all, most young people leave for the big cities, and few return to build their hometowns—an issue the town is eager to fix. Instilling a sense of local pride seemed like a good solution. And today, Mostar had the perfect opportunity. By 2 PM, more and more fans gathered around the stadium. Even the stadium rooftop was packed. People worried it might collapse from the weight. The other three standing stands were filled to the brim as well. Some fans outside the stadium couldn't even see the pitch—they were just there for the atmosphere. "They're here!" "They're coming!" "Let's go!!" "Warriors of Mostar!" The team bus pulled up to the stadium. As the players stepped off one by one, the crowd erupted in cheers. Clap clap clap clap! Applause rolled like thunder. Everywhere you looked, it was a sea of people. It was the largest crowd Zrinjski Stadium had ever seen. "There must be at least 10,000 people here!" Biljar said excitedly. He thrived in big moments. With larger crowds came more energy and motivation—such players were often called "big game performers." "Are those people having a picnic?" Suker pointed to the hills in the distance, where families had spread out blankets and laid out food like they were out on a spring outing. A small-town tradition. You'd never see this at a professional stadium. Under Coach Van Stoyak's lead, Suker and the team entered the stadium amid roaring applause. In the front row of the south stand sat Dinamo Zagreb's head coach Besic and scout Atgenich. "Their final opponent is Željezničar Sarajevo—a strong team in Bosnia. In the past, they were evenly matched, but this season Zrinjski has already beaten them twice. This will be their third and final encounter," Atgenich explained. Besic nodded slightly. "I remember Boscenoch transferred to a Bosnian club." "To Željezničar," Atgenich replied with a laugh, then shook his head. "But his form has declined badly." Once a Croatian international, Boscenoch was a solid center-back. But after turning 30, his form dropped dramatically. He struggled for two seasons at Lokomotiva Zagreb and eventually left. As they spoke, Besic turned his eyes to the pitch. More specifically, to his protégé—Modric. As Modric's first coach and the one who introduced him to professional football, Besic had always considered Modric his greatest success. And Modric's outstanding performance this season in the Bosnian league made him even prouder.