Borac’s remarkable European journey has come to an end after they were eliminated in the UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16, losing to Rapid Vienna (1:2) after extra time. The regular 90 minutes ended in a 1:1 draw, the same result as in Banja Luka, forcing an additional 30 minutes of play.
During regular time, Rapid dominated, but Borac’s goalkeeper Manojlović put on a stunning performance, making incredible saves. Additionally, Rapid hit the woodwork three times—twice striking the crossbar and once the post—but Borac withstood the pressure and managed to take the match into extra time.
Despite the intense pressure, it was Borac who took the lead first. In the 65th minute, Sandi Ogrinec finished a brilliant team move, converting a pass from Savić with a precise half-volley to make it 0:1. If Borac had managed to hold on for just a few more minutes, the outcome could have been different, but Rapid’s Beljo equalized quickly in the 70th minute, bringing the match back to level terms at 1:1.
Extra time saw Rapid create several big chances, and captain Schaub eventually secured the decisive goal for the home team, sealing their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Swedish side Djurgården.
Regardless of the result, Borac has represented domestic football in Europe with great honor. Looking at the season as a whole, they played an impressive 18 matches in European competitions, making this the club’s greatest achievement in history. Now, the red-and-blues can turn their focus to domestic competitions, where they have high ambitions.
Source: RTRS
