Josip Katalinski, Bosnian footballer, died after a long illness he was , 63.

Josip "Škija" Katalinski was a Bosnian football player. He is considered to have been one of the greatest football players from the former Yugoslavia died after a long illness he was , 63..

(2 May 1948 – 9 June 2011)

Club career

Katalinski's career began in a small club FK Igman based in Ilidža, a suburb of Sarajevo. He was spotted there in 1964 by FK Željezničar coaches who offered a move to their club's youth system. He accepted the offer immediately and one year later made his first team debut. He played for FK Željezničar until 1975. He made more than 250 league appearances and, although he was a defender, he scored 48 league goals. In total, he played more than 350 games in Željezničar's shirt, scoring more than 100 goals. He was a part of the team that won Yugoslav championship title in 1972.
Katalinski decided to go abroad in 1975. Subsequently, he signed a contract with French side OGC Nice. He had played 150 games for the club before he decided to end his career in 1978, because of an injury.

International career

As a youngster, Katalinski started playing for junior team of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and later for Yugoslav junior national team (12 caps) and Under-21 national team (18 caps). In 1972, he made his debut for Yugoslav national team. He collected 41 caps and scored 10 goals.
One of the most famous moments of his career was a 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification play-off match against Spain at Waldstadion in Frankfurt. He scored the only goal of the game that secured a place on 1974 FIFA World Cup and instantly became a hero of the nation.
He was a member of Yugoslav 1974 FIFA World Cup and 1976 UEFA European Football Championship squads.

Awards

• Yugoslavian Football Player of the year 1974

Postplaying career

Katalinski worked as a youth coordinator for Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was an educated football coach and he also graduated in physical education. He worked as a coach in several clubs and he was a vicepresident of his favourite FK Željezničar.

 

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