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Bosnia-Herzegovina is back at the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
The playoff final victory over Italy set off celebrations around the country as the Bosnianssecured a place in Group Bthis summer with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
The man who guided them back to the World Cup, Sergej Barbarez, is a former longtime player, first-time manager and an ex-professional poker player.
The 54-year-old Barbarez spent much of his playing career in Germany, suiting up for Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He also represented Bosnia-Herzegovina 47 times.
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While he had acquired his coaching license, Barbarez never ended up on the sidelines after his playing career was over. He found a seat at poker tables where,according to CardPlayer.com, he amassed over $143,000 in earnings and even qualified for the World Series of Poker, making the final table on two occasions.
Two years after his final recorded poker tournament, Barbarez was hired as Bosnia-Herzegovina's head coach. He would lead them to a 5-2-1 record during World Cup qualifying, which put them automatically into the UEFA playoffs.
During the first semifinal, Bosnia drew with Wales, but advanced after penalty kicks. It was the same story in the Path A against Italy —a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes that led to a victory after penalties.
Barbarez instilled in his players the same winning mentality that had made him successful in poker, ahead of the most important match of their careers.
"I told the players to go on the pitch and enjoy themselves,"Barbarez said. "I've never entered or finished a game calmer, I saw it in their eyes, I really like them, they're guys with character.
"We have guys we're proud of, we're two years ahead of schedule. Now I've told them that we have to go to a tournament every two years."
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