Barisic Stuns Turku with 94th-Minute Equaliser for Sarajevo

The roar that shook the Koševo Stadium in the 94th minute will echo through Sarajevo for weeks – Benjamin Barisic’s last-gasp equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw for FK Sarajevo against Inter Turku in their UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round first leg.

Turku’s Early Strike Silences Bosnia

Inter Turku’s travelling contingent erupted after just 8 minutes when Aboubacar Conteh latched onto Lionel Essomba’s through ball, slotting past Sarajevo’s keeper to stun the home crowd. The Finnish side, organised in their 4-4-2, absorbed early pressure before delivering this sucker punch – their first meaningful attack turning into a lead.

Sarajevo manager Dženan Uščuplić reacted at half-time with a double substitution, hauling off right-back Risto Gojkovic for Barisic and replacing defensive midfielder Gojko Cimirot with Seko Meite. The changes brought immediate intensity – Meite’s crunching tackle earned a yellow card just seven minutes after coming on, setting the tone for Sarajevo’s desperate second-half onslaught.

Sarajevo’s Relentless Pressure

The Bosnian side threw everything forward, registering 12 second-half shots to Turku’s 2. Midfielder Marko Kupresak joined Meite in the book for a frustrated lunge as Turku’s defence held firm. Uščuplić used all five substitutes, including throwing on striker Luka Mikic and winger Francis Kyeremeh in search of an equaliser.

Turku manager Jarkko Wiss made defensive changes of his own, withdrawing goalscorer Conteh and creator Essomba in the final 15 minutes to protect their lead. It nearly worked – until the fourth minute of stoppage time when Barisic, the half-time substitute, pounced on a loose ball in the box to send 12,000 home fans into delirium.

Conference League Qualifying Hangs in Balance

This last-minute reprieve changes everything for the second leg in Finland next week. Sarajevo, who looked destined for defeat, now carry a precious away goal to Turku. The Finnish side will rue missed chances to kill the tie – their early composure giving way to desperate defending as Sarajevo’s pressure told.

For Turku, it’s a gut punch after 86 minutes of heroic defending. For Sarajevo, it’s the kind of moment that can define a European campaign – the sort of late show that makes players believe. One week from now, under the Turku floodlights, we’ll discover which of these emotions proves prophetic.