His right arm strapped tight to protect a damaged shoulder, raised his left hand holding his phone to celebrations after
The 40-year-old talismanic striker smiled as he led teammates singing in the bar-room party while they wore white t-shirts with the logo.
D啪eko鈥檚 goals and inspiration have helped take Bosnia to just its second World Cup as an independent soccer nation since the former Yugoslavia broke up in regional wars during his childhood.
Now the player who has so often carried the team on his shoulders faces a race against time to get his shoulder healed before the tournament starts in 10 weeks.
鈥淚 hope that it is not a great injury to Edin D啪eko and that he will be able to be with us at the World Cup,鈥� Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez said, 鈥渂ecause he does not have much time.鈥�
D啪eko was injured right at the end of the 1-1 draw against Italy and couldn’t take part in the ensuing penalty shootout, but the fact that he was still on the field through all of extra time was a sign of his leadership. With the very last kick of the game D啪eko was advancing with the ball into Italy鈥檚 half when taken down by the hacking challenge of Davide Frattesi.
D啪eko stayed on the turf getting treatment for his injured shoulder as the final whistle blew and the teams started preparing for the penalty shootout.
Goals, assists and inspiration
D啪eko鈥檚 six goals in the qualifying campaign, including an 86th-minute equalizer at Wales in the playoffs semifinal last Thursday, had taken Bosnia to the playoff final. And his strong challenge at a cross to the far post helped tee up Haris Tabakovi膰 to cancel 10-man Italy鈥檚 lead in the 79th on Tuesday.
Then his younger teammates had to pick up the baton and beat Italy鈥檚 storied goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the shootout.
Bosnia went 4-for-4, while two Italians faltered. The team’s final two kicks were scored by Wisconsin-born Esmir Bajraktarevi膰 鈥� who played one game for the United States two years ago before FIFA approved his switch to Bosnia 鈥� and teenager Kerim Alajbegovi膰.
Bosnia’s next gen talents
The combined age of Bajraktarevi膰 and Alajbegovi膰 is 39, one year less than D啪eko.
The 18-year-old Alajbegovi膰 was not even born when D啪eko made his international debut in July 2007 and began a remarkable run of scoring in 20 straight calendar years for his country.
D啪eko watched on his with shoulder strapped when Bajraktarevi膰鈥檚 decisive spot-kick sneaked underneath Donnarumma’s hands to spark wild celebrations in the loud and intimate Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica.
After nine seasons playing in Italy, D啪eko spent some time commiserating with the losing players, including former teammates at Inter Milan and Roma.
Then he went up into the seats of the main grandstand to meet family and friends as emotion swept the nation.
鈥淲hat can I say? We saw everything after that last penalty. Great pride,鈥� Bosnia defender Nikola Kati膰 said. 鈥淚鈥檝e never cried after a game, I鈥檓 29 years old, and now the tears have started.鈥�
World Cup opponents
With or without D啪eko, Bosnia should have a great opportunity to advance from its World Cup group, after falling short in 2014 in Brazil.
Bosnia opens against co-host Canada on June 12 in Toronto, then faces Switzerland in Los Angeles and finishes against Qatar in Seattle on June 24.
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