Mostar didn't sleep: FK Velež, the club that remained, survived, fell, and rose again!

(Patria) - It is festive in Mostar this morning as well, after Velež secured a place in Europe.

They waited for a long 33 years, so the celebration is understandable, especially considering all the bad things that happened to FK Velež after they were expelled from their stadium.

Nermin Bise, a journalist from Stolac, is particularly emotional.

"It's morning, the last one in May 2021. Let me see, how many of you didn't sleep last night? Or should I rephrase the question: How many of you shed tears of joy yesterday and last night? I didn't sleep either. And I shed tears of joy. Thank you Šemsudin Sudo Hasić. Thank you Feđa Dudić! Thank you to the players, the professional staff, the management members, a big thank you to the Red Army fans!

Later, God willing, words from president Hasić will be posted on this profile in a video report from the welcome at Mostar's Musala. Great words from a great man. Be sure to listen to them. I'm waiting for Vedad Bise, my successor in sports journalism, to edit and polish that video. 

Mostar (the whole city) celebrated, my Stolac, Konjic, Jablanica, Čapljina, Ilidža, in Grude, the old stronghold of the Red Army, it was also celebrated in Široki Brijeg, in numerous Bosnian cities and throughout Herzegovina. All over the world, on all continents where there is at least one Velež fan. All over the former Yugoslavia where Rođeni have a significant number of fans, from Triglav to Đevđelija. 33 years have passed, 33 rounds have ended, and for the next 33 years, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe, count on Rođeni to be at the top of the domestic league and in the heart of Europe. That's 3x33=99. What a rosary of Rođeni. And this club is 99 years old. Ninety-nine years in which it remained, survived, fell, rose again, in which its fate was to disappear. But no, no! It won't happen! Here is Velež, here are Rođeni. At the top of the mountain, in the heart of Europe. That's where it belongs, that's where it was, and that's where it will be and remain. Life is truly beautiful and unpredictable.

When the ball rolls on the green carpet, everything stops in that moment of joy, happiness, and excitement when Rođeni score a goal. And they scored 50 clear goals in 33 rounds. Conceded 30. Lost only 4 times. Won 16 matches. And drew 13 times. A streak of 20 consecutive undefeated matches is an absolute club record, broken after more than 40 years. Earned 61 points. Every single one honestly and manfully, heroically earned.

It is 05:38, time for morning coffee that smells of Velež. Sweetened with love for the club.

Good morning, Bosnia and Herzegovina!

Good morning, Europe! Here we come! Our time has come!!!", wrote Bise.