Reuters: Veteran Džeko a talisman for new Bosnian generation

(Patria) - Edin Džeko had already established himself as one of Europe's most lethal strikers before Kerim Alajbegović was born, but these talents from different generations will join forces to boost Bosnia and Herzegovina's hopes at this year's World Cup, Reuters reports at the beginning of the article.

The 40-year-old Džeko is one of only two remaining players from Bosnia and Herzegovina's debut World Cup appearance in 2014 and will be captain and father figure to a young team predicted to make a big impression at the tournament.

Eighteen-year-old Alajbegović, meanwhile, has emerged as a new hallmark of Bosnian football and after an outstanding season for Red Bull Salzburg signed a five-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen.

Although different in style - the tall Džeko, an archetypal striker with a deft touch, and Alajbegović, a nimble and creative left winger - the chemistry between the duo was a factor in Sergej Barbarez's team's qualification.

Alajbegović's corner was headed into the net by Džeko for Bosnia and Herzegovina's equalising goal against Wales in the play-off semi-final, before Alajbegović calmly scored the decisive penalty in the shootout.

Alajbegović also scored in the penalty shootout victory over Italy, which secured Bosnia and Herzegovina a place in the final, as did highly rated 21-year-old PSV Eindhoven player Esmir Bajraktarević.

There is genuine excitement about the new wave of Bosnian talents, but in Džeko they have an old master whose vast experience will be crucial as Bosnia and Herzegovina tries to qualify from a group containing Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

Only once before has a non-goalkeeper appeared at a World Cup finals after his 40th birthday - Cameroon striker Roger Milla in the United States in 1994.

Džeko, Bosnia and Herzegovina's all-time top scorer with 73 goals in 148 appearances, is ready to add his name to that elite group which will also include Croatia's Luka Modrić and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Although it will be another step in the career of a player who continues to score goals for Schalke, Džeko says leading the country's new brigade is motivation in itself.

"I am happy that I was able to help the young ones go to the World Cup, it is great for them and they have a great future," he said.

"Those last two matches, against Wales and Italy, will certainly change their lives. They may not know it, but they will."

"If you had asked me ten years ago if I would still be playing at forty, I would have said no. But I still feel good and, more importantly, I still feel I can help the team."

"I am happy because I am the captain of this great generation."