A team from Bosnia & Herzegovina, Banja Luka Lightnings, participated for the first time in an international Floorball event, namely the Istanbul Open Floorball Tournament.
Floorball is developing rapidly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Apart from holding regular Children´s Tournaments, adults have also started playing regularly. The first unofficial tournament was held in the fall of 2008 and the second during April 2009 with teams from Banja Luka, Tuzla and Fojnica taking part.
On Saturday May 30th, the Banja Luka Lightnings attended an official tournament for the first time ever – The Istanbul Open Floorball Tournament – and the team achieved fourth place. In the bronze match, the Bosphorus Bulldogs were stronger with 5-3.
Banja Luka Lightnings. Back from left to right: Miika Kurkkio, Dalibor Samardzic, Denis Slipas & Dragan Vucic. In front : Srdjan Vucic, Jovica Keserovic ja Neven Rokvic
However, the tournament was a great experience and it will surely motivate the Lightnings to continue in the same direction. The whole team also attended the IFF Basic Floorball Referee seminar on May 29th in Istanbul.
Final Results from IOFT 2009:
1) Bohemian Praha (Czech Republic)
2) IFK Vodafone
3) Bosphorus Bulldogs
4) Gromovi (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
5) Inter-Tarabya BK
6) UAA Tigers
7) Kartallar
8) IGA Lions
Source & Picture: Miika Kurkkio/Banja Luka Lightnings
