Bosnia supporters have turned Santa Clara’s Euro Grill into an informal base ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup last-32 match against the United States.
The Bosnian-run restaurant has seen heavy demand in recent days. Fans queued outside on Tuesday as others filled tables for cevapi, burek and drinks before the knockout game.
The rise in visitors has brought together travelling supporters and a long-established Bosnian community in Northern California. Local residents estimate around 10,000 Bosnians live in the region, many of whom arrived as refugees during the Balkan wars in the 1990s.
For some, the match carries a personal meaning beyond football.
“Not even in my wildest dreams,” said Gilroy resident Aida Sibic. “It feels surreal to be here. People are flying in from across the United States, Bosnia and Europe.”
Sibic arrived in California in 1995 with her family after fleeing the war. She said they had to rebuild their lives from scratch.
Euro Grill owner Ramiz Avdic also arrived after the conflict. He left Bosnia after surviving the siege of Sarajevo, where he was injured during the war.
“They were dark times, but things are different now,” Avdic said. “We support the Bosnia team. Everyone is welcome here.”
Many supporters say the national team reflects the resilience of the diaspora. Several players were born outside Bosnia but chose to represent the country.
“Our people have overcome so much,” Sibic said. “Players born abroad still choose Bosnia. That means a lot to us.”
Bosnia have drawn strong support from their global diaspora, including an estimated 300,000 people in the United States.
Fans at Euro Grill say there is no conflict in supporting Bosnia against the country that helped resettle many of them.
“It’s homeland versus motherland,” Sibic said. “The United States gave us a new home.”
Germany-based supporter Armin Basic has travelled widely to follow the team. He is now in California with relatives ahead of the match.
Bosnia, a country of around three million people, has built a large international following.
“We have fans everywhere,” Basic said. “We travel and support our team wherever they play.”
