From war to World Cup for Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko / Ulicar Streets - Flickr

Edin Dzeko now hears the roar at the end of soccer games. From a league victory with his club Manchester City, to entering the World Cup with his country Bosnia, the Bosnian diamond often sees himself as the center of celebration. About 20 years ago, these roars were that of a bloody war which surrounded his everyday life.

Dzeko was younger than 10 years old when war broke out in Bosnia. Living in the capital while it was under siege didn’t help. War dominated everyday life for the people in Sarajevo. Anyone could die at any given moment.

"The conflict started in my country just as I was born and my early life was nothing but fighting, war and bullets in the walls of the buildings," Dzeko was quoted as saying in a December 2011 thenational.ae article.

Every now and then, the war calmed and he went out to play soccer. In one instance, his mother Belma called him home right before a bomb landed where he played soccer moments before.

“My gut feeling saved my son’s life,” she was quoted as saying in a 2011 DailyMail.co.uk article.

Fast forward 20 years and Dzeko is part of the Bosnian national team headed to the World Cup. He helped secure his country’s first major tournament entrance, scoring 10 goals in qualifications.

"I wish to send my regards to Brazil and say that we will show how mighty Bosnia is," he said in an October 2013 EspnFC.com article.

Every Dragon faced the war in their own way. Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic grew up in Canada after spending a few years in Germany away from the war. Like the rest of the team, Begovic is looking forward to playing in his nation’s first major tournament.

"It's what dreams are made of,” he said in a February 2014 newstalk.ie article.

On June 15, 2014, the Dragons will play their first World Cup game against Argentina. Win or lose, the match will be one to remember for athletes like Dzeko, who, only two decades ago, were uncertain if they’ll live to see the next day.

Dragons incorporate youth into game plan

HSMSE Boys' Basketball Team / Din Islam

Many basketball coaches will tell you that experience is a major part of winning. On the High School of Math, Science, and Engineering’s boys’ basketball team youth is the main focus. During the 2013 season, out of 13 players on the team, 11 were underclassmen allowing for growth both individually and as a team.

One of the many underclassmen on the team is freshman forward Eric Abreu. He benefited from the available playing time, averaging 8.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg.

“[Being a freshman] made [developing] kind of easier because you have a lot of time to improve,” Abreu said.

Along with youth, there must also be experience. The two seniors on the team played for two seasons, so they had much more exposure than the freshmen. Many of the younger players had to change their positions.

“It’s their first time they’re playing high school basketball,” senior guard Kofi Kordie said. “It’s different from middle school.”

It was new head coach David Scheiman’s coaching decision to recruit underclassmen because he believed they would grow together and get accustomed to being with each other.

“I felt that overall talent wise they were better, and they would develop over time,” Scheiman said.

He expected the seniors to take leadership of the team. He wanted them to be vocal and be on-court coaches for the younger players.

Although they ended the season with a disappointing 1-13 record, they are still hopeful. With the growth of the freshmen, they look to become a powerful basketball team.

“We’ll be a lot better than we are now,” Abreu said.

Written by: Daniella Smith and Sadeon Martin