Fifteen years since Željo's big match against famous Newcastle

On this day, 15 years ago, Željezničar played a match against famous Newcastle in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, reports Patria agency.

At Koševo, in front of 38,000 spectators, Željo played what is probably the most important European match in recent history exactly 15 years ago.

On that day, Sarajevo was coloured in blue and white, everyone believed in the generation led from the bench by Amar Osim. Before Newcastle, the Blues eliminated Akranes (aggregate 4:0) and Lillestrøm (2:0).

It was the first opportunity for a Bosnian-Herzegovinian club to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League. About 38,000 Željezničar fans gathered at Koševo, and many remained outside the gates.

Unfortunately, Newcastle, led by the great Alan Shearer, was too strong for the team from Grbavica. The scorer of the only goal was long-time England international Kieron Dyer.

The match against the Magpies will be remembered for the incredible atmosphere, about which even Bobby Robson, a man who played over 500 matches and led his teams from the bench just as many times, said he had never played in front of such fans and such an atmosphere in his career.

FK Željezničar – Newcastle United FC 0:1

Sarajevo, 14.8.2002. Olympic Stadium Koševo (38,000)
Referee: Ľuboš Micheľ (SVK)

ŽELJEZNIČAR: Kenan Hasagić, Adin Mulaosmanović, Edis Mulalić, Haris Alihodžić, Sanjin Mešić (81’ Denis Mudrinić), Denis Karić, Sanel Jahić (71’ Mirzet Alagić), Almir Čosić (88’ Sanjin Radonja), Sead Seferović, Almir Gredić, Jure Guvo; Coach: Amar Osim

NEWCASTLE: Shay Given, Aaron Hughes, Nikolaos Dabizas (88’ Wayne Quinn), Titus Bramble, Olivier Bernard, Nolberto Solano, Jermaine Jenas, Kieron Dyer, Hugo Miguel Ferreira Gomes Viana (88’ Robert Elliott), Alan Shearer, Lomana Lua Lua (81’ Shola Ameobi); Coach: Robert “Bobby” Robson