The passion of football fans in the Balkans.

On Thursday evening, I was fortunate enough to take a Melburnian friend of mine (together with his two mates) along with me to see FK Sarajevo play a Europa League qualifying match against FC Hibernians, a relatively-unknown Maltese side.

There were only a few thousand at the game but, as I expected (and as I always expect on a Balkan match!), the atmosphere made it seem like there were tens of thousands there.

Here's more than ten minutes of the sort of atmosphere the home supporters, 'Horde Zla' - meaning 'Hordes of Evil' - created on the evening.

Enjoy!

A provocation from Republika Srpska in Srebrenica?

Bosnian daily newspaper Dnevni Avaz is today reporting that a festival - featuring activities such as football tournaments and concerts - is set to take place in Srebrenica over the same date that the town commemorates the murder of more than 8000 Bosnian Muslims seventeen years ago.

"Petrov's Days", a six-day event marking a celebration in the Orthodox calendar, is due to occur in the regions of Srebrenica and Bratunac from today until Thursday July 12, leaving the Organizing Committee for the 17th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre - taking place this Wednesday - outraged.

The cemetary at Potacari, near the town of
Srebrenica. (Source: DnevniAvaz.ba)

The committee has labelled it as a clear provocation from Republika Srpska - the self-governing Serbian political entity which holds legal authority over the district of Srebrenica - and has expressed concerns over public safety.

A statement released by the committee appeals to the organisers of the "Petrov's Days" festival to shift the event to a different time, "when the security situation will be much more favourable for the realisation of these activities."

Some, however, believe the Organising Committee is over-reacting. 

A comment from 'Amir' on Serbian news portal Blic stated, 'I am Muslim but a lot of time has passed, life goes on, let everyone live how they want!', while another commented that 'this is too much politicisation'. 

More than 30,000 people, including survivors and family members of the deceased, are expected in Srebrenica on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the massacre. 

A total of 520 newly-identified victims, including six minors and three women, are due to be buried on the day.

Photo of the Day

Relations between Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia are strained at the best of times, but that tension wasn't evident a few days ago amongst Aleksandar Kolarov (Serbian), Edin Dzeko (Bosnian) and Ivan Klasnic (Croatian).

This photo taken in Dubrovnik shows the three English Premier League stars putting aside any differences and enjoying some quality time together during the off-season. 

Bolton's Ivan Klasnic joins Manchester City's Edin Dzeko and
Aleksandar Kolarov in leaping into the Adriatic Sea in Dubrovnik,
Croatia. (Source: Klix.ba)

Another car bomb attack rocks Belgrade

A relative of a protected witness involved in proceedings against a Serbian crime boss has died after a bomb exploded under his car on the outskirts of Belgrade on Tuesday.

The blast occurred at 2.00pm in the southwestern neighbourhood of Bele Vode, killing Radovan Joksovic, a cousin of Nebojsa Joksovic, a key witness in a case against convicted drug smuggler Darko Saric. A 35-year-old passenger in the car was also injured in the attack.

Police and emergency service crews inspect the damage following a car
bomb attack in downtown Belgrade which left a man dead on June 22.
(Source: Blic.rs)

Serbian online news portal Blic reports that explosives were attached to the bottom of Joksovic's Audi A6 before they were remotely detonated. 

It is the second car bomb attack to occur in Belgrade in as many weeks.

On June 22, Basko Raicevic - also a cousin of a man with links to the Serbian mafia - was murdered when an unidentified assailant tossed a bomb into his moving car. 

Kosovo to gain full sovereignty

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci smiles during a
press conference in Vienna on July 2. (Source: AFP)

Kosovo will gain full rights of national sovereignty from September following a decision by the International Steering Group.

Speaking in Vienna on Monday, Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger announced that international supervision of Kosovo had come to an end.

"This is a clear sign of the confidence that is being placed in Kosovo," Spindelleger said. "It is now mature enough to stand on its own feet and to take over full responsibility for the future of all its citizens."

Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci welcomed the move, stating it as "historic".

"This day shows how long the journey we have passed as the nation striving towards freedom and independence," Thaci said.

The International Steering Group - consisting of 23 European nations, Turkey and the United States - make the decision almost four-and-a-half years after Kosovo first declared independence from Serbia.

However, the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping force, along with police and legal experts from the European Union, are expected to remain in the region to assist in ensuring safety and security.

Police detain a man wearing a shirt reading "Greater
Serbia" during a celebration of the anniversary of the
1389 Battle of Kosovo Polje at Gazimestan on June 28.
(Source: Reuters)

Tensions remain high between Serbs and the ethnic Albanian majority, with unrest between the two groups common.

The latest incident occurred last Thursday, when more than 50 people were injured following clashes on the border between Kosovo police and a group of visiting Serbs.

The local Serbs - who account for around 5 per cent of the population, mostly in the north of the country - reject Kosovo's independence, and openly oppose the Pristina government.

'Once Brothers' - Vlade Divac and Drazen Petrovic.

Here's a fantastic documentary from ESPN's 30 For 30 program, titled 'Once Brothers'.

This episode focuses on the story of two star NBA basketballers, Serbian Vlade Divac and Croatian Drazen Petrovic.
It is set around the early-1990's and showcases how their once-close friendship becomes tattered following the outbreak of the Yugoslav war in 1992. It also covers Petrovic's shock and sudden death in July of '93.

Seventy minutes long, but an absolute must-watch.

'Batko' Cehajic

Last Tuesday, I brought to you the story about Alen Maslo, a sick Sarajevo teenager who was desperately in need of medical treatment.
In the story, I made reference to Almir 'Batko' Cehajic, a television host who assisted in placing Alen's struggle in the public spotlight.

Maslo's life is not the only one which Cehajic has helped save, however.

Batko's own story is a special one - which Associated Press made a small feature on in 2011.

Check it out below.