A twist of fate

May 11 2008 By Gavin Berry

IVICA KRIZANAC can’t believe he will meet up with Sasa Papac in the UEFA Cup Final a decade after they set outontrial together.

The pair were chasing a shared football dream in their early days, trying to win deals at Bosnian outfit Siroki Brijeg.

And while their careers took different paths a twist of fate will bring them together at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The European showpiece will be the pinnacle of both players’ careers and proves just how far they have come.

Unsung hero Papac, the only survivor of Paul Le Guen’s ill-fated Ibrox buys, is a crucial part of Gers’ resilient rearguard that has been tested to the limit yet stood firm to stay on course for the quadruple.
 
Krizanac is a similar defensive rock for Zenit St Petersburg but only one of them can be a winner on Wednesday night.

Speaking exclusively to MailSport in Russia last week the Croatian revealed his amazement at being up against Papac.

Krizanac, 29, said: “I know Sasa because we had a brief time together in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Siroki Brijeg.

“It was about nine or 10 years ago and we were both young players trying to make our way in the game.

“But I left after my trial period and signed for Sparta Prague while Sasa stayed.

“After all this time I’m going to see him again. That’s what is so beautiful about football – we will be reunited in a big match like the UEFA Cup Final.

“I don’t know Sasa so well that we phone each other every day but I still look out for him and he played well when I watched the semi-final against Fiorentina.

“Rangers are a good team but from what Fernando Ricksen has told me Barry Ferguson is the big star and we will have to be wary of him.”

Krizanac has happy memories of playing at Manchester City’s stadium and hopes to be celebrating a new career high this week.

As part of Polish side Groclin Grodzisk he shocked the English outfit with a 1-1 draw at Maine Road in the UEFA Cup before a scoreless second leg.

The stopper is praying the fact Zenit are staying in the same hotel as the Poles did in 2003 will prove a lucky omen.

He said: “At that time City were so strong with David Seaman, Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Claudio Reyna.

“We drew 1-1 in Manchester then 0-0 at home and for a small Polish team to knock them out was a massive achievement.

“I could never have said then I’d be back at Man City’s stadium for a UEFA Cup Final.

“The funny thing is Zenit will be staying in the same hotel just outside the city so hopefully it’s a lucky omen for me.

“Getting a draw against a top English side with a small club was huge but a win on Wednesday would be bigger and hopefully I leave Manchester smiling again.

“I’ve never played in a European final, like many of the Zenit guys, and I’m sure the best team will win.

“We beat Rangers 4-1 in a friendly at Ibrox a couple of years ago and were much better than them. I hope we play so well again and get the same scoreline.”

Gers have crammed in a staggering 18 European games this season and Krizanac admits they first caught his attention back in August.

He said: “I watched them early this season in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Red Star Belgrade because I have Serb friends in Russia who wanted to see it.

“I’m not a fan of Red Star, I’m Croatian and support Hadjuk Split, but my friends are and they were so disappointed that night they’ve told me to get revenge.

“I also watched Rangers against Barcelona in the Champions League group stage and have been impressed with their European campaign.”

Krizanac also dismissed Gers’ fatigue factor despite their horrendous fixture backlog while the Russian champs have had almost two weeks off to prepare.

He said: “I believe it’s easier to play than train. That’s especially true in Russia because the training pitches aren’t as good as in Scotland or England so we prefer to play.

“You can’t be tired in such a big game – especially as it’s Rangers’ first European final for 36 years.”