This is what Branko Ilić, captain of the Olimpija football team, said after the team won the national championship title. Ilić is a player who has seen less positive moments in the history of the Ljubljana football club in this millennium.

This experienced player is a connection between the old and the new Olimpija. He made his debut for the first team of this club, which fell apart in 2005, more than 15 years ago, at a time when Robert Prosinečki and Mladen Rudonja still played for the club. After a rich career abroad, which included playing for Betis from Seville, where he had a taste of the first Spanish league, Ilić returned to play football at home a year and half ago. He has now reached the peak in the green-white jersey.

‘Nothing can be compared with this, my home is here.’
‘I cannot describe how much I had wanted to win the championship with Olimpija. I gave many years to the club. I was a young player when Olimpija moved to the fifth league, and then other clubs bought me. I’m lucky to be here again. I was very happy when I won the championship with Partizan, and with Astana as well. But nothing can be compared with this, I made my first steps here, my home is here, I am the captain. This trophy stands very high. I appreciate it even more, because the situation was very difficult last year when I came to Ljubljana. But I never regretted my decision to come back,’ said the 35-year-old football player from Fužine. Ilić now lives in Domžale, in the town in which he lifted the trophy on Sunday.

Yesterday, Ilić did not get the opportunity to play, but he watched the match from the bench. ‘It was difficult; it is much more difficult to sit on the bench. This is how I felt in Velenje. There is much more nervousness, I’m unable to describe it. It is much easier to be on the field.’

Battle for Champions League starts on 10th or 11th July
A new challenge now awaits Olimpija – to show their best in Europe. In the last two European seasons the club got eliminated in the first rounds. The draw for the first qualifying round for Champions League, in which Olimpija will be an unseeded team, will be held on the 19th of July, and the first match is due on the 10th or 11th July. ‘The break will be short. Many things still need to be arranged, players’ contracts are going to expire, but footballers should not think about those things, this is not our work. I hope the administration will do everything so that we can put together the right team. If a great number of new players come in, it’s more difficult for them to adjust to our style of play. This is what happened last year, when we played against Vaasa. Also, it is very important for players to possess not only quality, but also the right character. Olimpija can still progress and achieve many things.’

Will Ilić be part of the team also in the future? ‘I still have a valid contract with Olimpija, but nothing is 100% sure in life today (laughing). But I do feel very well and I will continue to play, even though I am already in very mature football years.’