Mirsad Baljic
Encyclopedia
Mirsad "Žvaka" Baljić is a former Yugoslav
and Bosnian football
player who played as an offensive full-back
He got his nickname Žvaka (chewing gum) for his constant use of chewing gum during the game.
He made his first football steps in FK Sarajevo
youth team before temporarily leaving football because of medical problems. When he returned he went to FK Željezničar
, and as one of their more talented youngsters, he got the opportunity to play in first team. His league debut came in 1980 when he was aged 18. His biggest success at the club was reaching the UEFA Cup
semifinals in 1984-1985 season under the guidance of Ivica Osim
. He played in junior, Under-21
and olympic team of Yugoslavia. Later good form for FK Željezničar secured him a place in Yugoslav national football team
for which he played 29 games and scored 3 goals. He was part of a 1990 FIFA World Cup
Yugoslav squad.
His famous trademark was move called Biciklo (bicycle). It is move in which player first move one leg around the ball, then other leg the same and if needed (read:anticipated) first leg again and in the end move the ball to the side other than moved leg (left or right...it depends). If correctly made this move is 100% sure to trick the opponent player. Even if he knows what to expect. Best defence against this is not to react and just to follow the ball.
In 1988 he moved to Swiss
side FC Sion
and stayed there until 1992, before leaving to join FC Zürich
. After two seasons there he left to FC Luzern.
He lives and works in Switzerland. His son Omar Baljić is also a footballer, and has played for Swiss national youth teams.
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
and Bosnian football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player who played as an offensive full-back
He got his nickname Žvaka (chewing gum) for his constant use of chewing gum during the game.
He made his first football steps in FK Sarajevo
FK Sarajevo
FK Sarajevo is a professional football club based in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia-Herzegovina and is one of the most popular clubs in the country. Founded on October 24, 1946, the club was the most successful club from SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in former Yugoslavia, winning two First League...
youth team before temporarily leaving football because of medical problems. When he returned he went to FK Željezničar
FK Željeznicar
FK Željezničar is a professional football club from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo.The initial acronym stands for Fudbalski sportski klub , and the name Željezničar means "railway worker," given because it was established by a group of railway workers.Željezničar, alias "Željo," is the most...
, and as one of their more talented youngsters, he got the opportunity to play in first team. His league debut came in 1980 when he was aged 18. His biggest success at the club was reaching the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
semifinals in 1984-1985 season under the guidance of Ivica Osim
Ivica Osim
Ivan "Ivica" Osim is a Bosnian former football player and manager. He was most recently head coach of Japan, before he suffered a stroke in November 2007 and left the post...
. He played in junior, Under-21
Yugoslavia national under-21 football team
The Yugoslavia national under-21 football team existed in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. After the state's dissolution in 1992, the following teams were formed:*Bosnia and Herzegovina national under-21 football team...
and olympic team of Yugoslavia. Later good form for FK Željezničar secured him a place in Yugoslav national football team
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
for which he played 29 games and scored 3 goals. He was part of a 1990 FIFA World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
Yugoslav squad.
His famous trademark was move called Biciklo (bicycle). It is move in which player first move one leg around the ball, then other leg the same and if needed (read:anticipated) first leg again and in the end move the ball to the side other than moved leg (left or right...it depends). If correctly made this move is 100% sure to trick the opponent player. Even if he knows what to expect. Best defence against this is not to react and just to follow the ball.
In 1988 he moved to Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
side FC Sion
FC Sion
FC Sion is a Swiss football team from the city of Sion. The club was founded in 1909, and play their home games at the Stade Tourbillon. They have won the Swiss Super League twice, and the Swiss Cup in each of their twelve appearances in the final, the most recent being in 2011.The first team also...
and stayed there until 1992, before leaving to join FC Zürich
Fussballclub Zürich
Fussballclub Zürich, commonly abbreviated to just FC Zürich, is a Swiss football club from the city of Zürich. The club was founded in 1896 and have won the Swiss Super League 12 times and the Swiss Cup 7 times. The club won the 2009 Swiss Super League and last won the Swiss Cup in 2005...
. After two seasons there he left to FC Luzern.
He lives and works in Switzerland. His son Omar Baljić is also a footballer, and has played for Swiss national youth teams.