Bosnia's Velež and Croatia's Dinamo lead new football season in the Balkans

Coach Ibro Rahimić said Velež Mostar managed to play four European matches despite a depleted squad and a suspension that left the team with only about 12‑13 players. The Bosnian side reached the second round of the UEFA Conference League but struggled against stronger opponents, highlighting the limits of a roster that includes several junior players.

The 2024‑25 Croatian top‑flight, the SuperSport Hrvatska nogometna liga, kicks off with Dinamo Zagreb defending the title they won by a 20‑point margin. The league features a mix of domestic and foreign coaches, with newcomers such as Javier Cabello at Rijeka and Federico Bessone at Osijek, and a high proportion of foreign players across the clubs.