Borac’s director Dejan Čato told “Glas Srpske” that everyone in the Banja Luka club has been giving their maximum in recent days to ensure the team is in the best possible condition for the upcoming European test against Olimpija.
The long-awaited clash with the “Zmajčeki” is scheduled for tomorrow at 9 PM, when Borac and the team from Ljubljana will face off at City Stadium in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16.
“Although it may not seem so at the moment, everything around and inside the stadium will be in perfect order tomorrow night, at a true European level. Everything is being prepared for the team, and it’s up to them to perform at their best. I expect the whole city to be ‘red and blue’ tomorrow. We are all eagerly awaiting the match, but the biggest burden is on the players. I believe they will give their best, just like the fans, whose support will be our twelfth player and a great morale boost for the team,” Čato emphasized.
The match has generated significant interest not only among the supporters of both clubs but across the entire region.
“There might be around fifty tickets left for the eastern stand, and there is a chance that the same number could be released tomorrow, depending on UEFA’s decision regarding the reserved tickets. Olimpija has informed us that around 1,000 of their fans will attend the match. From what we know, 670 Slovenian fans will be in the eastern stand, and 200 in the western stand. However, many fans have obtained tickets through acquaintances, friendships, and family ties, so some of them will be in the western stand as well, although they will not be allowed to wear club symbols,” Čato explained.
With each new stage of the competition, the interest in Borac’s European matches grows.
“There will be a large media presence, not just from our country and Slovenia but from the entire region, along with many distinguished guests. With each new stage, the requirements increase. For this match, twice as many journalists have been accredited. Instead of the usual eight, we now have to cover the game with twelve cameras, and for the first time, a platform will be installed on top of the eastern stand. Media spaces are 30% larger than before,” Čato noted.
According to the Banja Luka club’s director, a similar situation is expected for the second leg on February 20, when the rematch will be played at Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana at 6:45 PM.
“For that match, we have been allocated 1,300 seats plus an additional 200 in the western stand. Olimpija has informed us that another 100 tickets are still available. Half of these are reserved for our most loyal supporters, the ‘Lešinari.’ Those who wish to join them can purchase tickets through their official shop, while others can get them via online purchase. We have arranged a travel package with a tourist agency for 85 BAM, which includes transportation from Banja Luka to Ljubljana and back, as well as a match ticket. The buses will be under police escort in Slovenia to prevent any potential incidents,” Čato stated.
He also pointed out that the laws in the European Union are significantly stricter than in Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The law is very strict, and it is unlikely that our fans will be able to enter the stands designated for Olimpija’s supporters. They will be thoroughly checked at the entrance, including passport inspections, so I urge all our fans to adhere to the regulations,” Čato added.
Match officials
The referee for the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 between Borac and Olimpija, scheduled for tomorrow at 9 PM at City Stadium in Banja Luka, will be Romanian Radu Marian Petrescu.
He will be assisted by his compatriots Radu Ghinguleac and Mircea Mihail Grigoriu, while the fourth official will be Marcel Birsan.
The VAR room will also feature two Romanians: VAR referee Ovidiu Hațegan and assistant Adrian Costreje.
Source: Glas Srpske
