Cup of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Women
The Women's Cup of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the premier knockout competition for women's football clubs in the country, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina (NSBIH). It brings together top teams from across divisions, offering a thrilling path to glory beyond the league season and occasional European qualification spots.
History and foundation
Launched in the early 2000s amid the growth of women's football post-Yugoslavia, the first edition kicked off in 2002. SFK 2000 Sarajevo has reigned supreme, clinching over 15 titles and a streak of dominance in the 2010s. A notable event: the 2015 semi-final delayed by regional tensions but played to a packed crowd, embodying football's unifying power. The 2020 pandemic edition was curtailed, but 2021 saw a vibrant comeback with fresh challengers.
Tournament format
Single-elimination format with 8-16 teams starting from the round of 16 in September, culminating in a May final on neutral ground, often in Sarajevo or Banja Luka. The 2023/24 draw featured 12 clubs, with seeded teams sometimes getting byes in early rounds for competitive balance.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, spiking to 3.5 in high-stakes clashes. Top scorers include Milena Nikolić (SFK 2000) with 42 cup goals and Amina Čampara (Željezničar) at 28. Standout players: Marija Egboși (ex-SFK, now in Turkey) for her dazzling dribbles and Leila Kapidžić, a veteran with 200+ appearances fueling Bosnia's national team pushes toward World Cup qualifiers.