Hamzic's Change of Nationality: Prödl Speaks About the Reasons Behind It

Salko Hamzic's change of nationality is making waves.

As head of the youth national teams at the ÖFB, Sebastian Prödl was directly involved in the Hamzic case. The WSG goalkeeper has decided to play for the Bosnian national team in the future.

Former ÖFB Talent Hamzic Nominated for Bosnia for the First Time

Until recently, however, Hamzic still had the ambition to play for the ÖFB. In autumn 2023, the goalie is said to have contacted the ÖFB because at that time he only held the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He received citizenship, was admitted to the ÖFB's support program, and played matches for the youth national teams.

Prödl states in a "Kurier" interview that he and the ÖFB tried to win over the young goalkeeper: "We showed him what opportunities he has with us and what advantages he could gain through the ÖFB. Ultimately, however, he assured us that he made this decision with complete conviction for Bosnia."

The Bundesheer as a Hurdle or Help

Prödl emphasizes that one of the advantages would have been the issue of military service. As a military athlete in cooperation with the ÖFB, a professional enjoys certain freedoms and extensive training opportunities.

Without the ÖFB, basic military service must be completed with the Bundesheer, like all other recruits. Hamzic can only avoid this if he relinquishes his Austrian citizenship again. Furthermore, since Bosnia and Herzegovina is not an EU country, there are sometimes difficulties with transfers within Europe.

The ÖFB emphasizes that it only wants to work with players who commit to the football association and are convinced of their own path. However, there is no bad blood between Hamzic and Prödl: "At the end of the day, I wish him all the best. And I find it positive that he faced up to it and thanked the ÖFB for its support."