Bosnian Striker’s Beer Promise After Historic Qualification

Bosnian forward Ermedin Demirović has pledged to honour a remarkable promise by buying drinks for supporters after VfB Stuttgart’s next home match, following Bosnia and Herzegovina’s historic qualification for the World Cup finals after a dramatic play-off victory over Italy.

The Balkan nation secured only its second-ever appearance on football’s biggest stage by defeating four-time world champions Italy 4–1 in a penalty shootout, marking a stunning moment in the country’s football history. Bosnia had first reached the World Cup finals in 2014, coincidentally the same year Italy last qualified for the tournament. Now, more than a decade later, they have returned to the global stage in emphatic fashion.

In the aftermath of the victory, Demirović, who plays for German Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart, moved quickly to fulfil a promise he had made before the decisive play-off campaign. The 28-year-old striker had vowed that if Bosnia reached the World Cup finals, he would personally cover the cost of drinks for fans in Stuttgart’s stadium during their next home fixture.

True to his word, Demirović has confirmed that supporters attending Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against Borussia Dortmund at the MHP Arena will be entitled to free beverages, turning what is usually a routine league match into a celebratory occasion for thousands of fans.

The gesture, however, comes with a significant financial implication. With stadium capacity around 60,000 and the average price of a pint estimated at approximately €5, the total cost of fulfilling the promise could reach around €300,000. In Bangladeshi currency, this is estimated to be roughly Tk 4.28 crore. Despite the scale of the expense, Demirović has made clear that he has no intention of backing away from his commitment.

Speaking to British media outlet Sky Sports, the Bosnian forward emphasised his determination to stand by his word. “I am a man of my word,” he said. “I will definitely keep my promise, even though it will be quite expensive. But after such an achievement for my country, it comes from the heart. Stuttgart, drinks are on me.”

He also reflected emotionally on Bosnia’s qualification, describing it as a moment of immense national pride and disbelief. “We played incredibly well, and we fully deserved to reach the World Cup,” he added. “It is still hard to fully process what we have achieved for our country.”

Bosnia and Herzegovina have been drawn into a competitive World Cup group alongside hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. Their campaign is set to begin on 12 June in Canada, where they will face the tournament hosts in their opening fixture on the inaugural matchday.

Bosnia’s World Cup Group Overview

Demirović’s promise has added an unexpected layer of celebration to Bosnia’s qualification, symbolising both the emotional weight of the achievement and the strong bond between players and supporters. As anticipation builds for both the World Cup and Stuttgart’s upcoming fixture, his gesture has already captured widespread attention across European football.