The Cup final opposed Velez (Mostar) to Dinamo (Zagreb). Both teams fought for 3rd place and since they were out of the championship race, winning the Cup was imperative. Velez had the day, though, winning 3-1.
Dinamo (Zagreb) lost the final and ended the season emptyhanded. Third row from left: Cuckovic, Adzic, Novak, Bogdanovic, Hadzic, Besek, Arslanovic, Bracun, Cupan.
Middle row: Baca, Katanec, Komocar, Stojic, Cerin, Z. Boban, Okvaradi, Maric, B. Belin – assistant coach.
Sitting: Smit, D. Boban, Istvanic, Lulic, Blazevic – coach, Mlinaric, Munjakovic, B. Cvetkovic, Zv. Cvetkovic.
Strong squad, coached by Blazevic – a hot coach already, although not yet a legend. However, Dinamo reached its peak a few years back and now on the way down. At least for the moment. But here was the first foreign player imported in Yugoslavia – Okvaradi. He appeared only once during this season and was unloaded. Not a great beginning, but at least a start. Okvaradi went to play in Austria, despite his poor European debut. This year African player appeared also in Hungary, so it is hard to say which Communist country was first to import foreign footballer.
A great success for Velez (Mostar) – a club which could not build a league winner no matter what, so the only reasonable aim was winning the Cup. Of course, it was wonderful to win, but more importantly the slump started in the late 1970s seemingly ended and Velez had strong team again. Perhaps not as great as the famous ‘BMW’ of the 1970s, but close. Well deserved victory.