On Tuesday, February 18, in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, family, friends, and the local community gathered for the final farewell of Antun Bačic, the late coach of BSF, who passed away far too soon. The grieving family was accompanied by a large crowd of friends, acquaintances, and residents of his hometown. A delegation from Bochnia also traveled to Dubrovnik to pay tribute to this remarkable man.
Antun Bačić was just 34 years old. Originally from Dubrovnik, he had been coaching Bochnia’s futsal team, competing in the Futsal Ekstraklasa, for the past year and a half. His sudden and unexpected passing occurred in his apartment in Bochnia, just one day after leading his team to another league victory.
The news of his death sent shockwaves through Bochnia. Despite his relatively short time in the city, Antun had become widely recognized and well-liked, not only among futsal fans. Why did he leave such a profound impact? I wrote about it in another article [HERE]. The deep sorrow and collective grief were unmistakable during the memorial mass on Friday and the following Sunday match, where touching scenes unfolded — moments that left few with dry eyes.
The official funeral took place on Tuesday in Croatia. Crowds gathered to say their final goodbyes — family members, friends, residents of Dubrovnik, as well as players and representatives from clubs Antun had been involved with, including MNK Ombla (where he began his playing career), MNK Square Dubrovnik, and MNK Split. The BSF delegation made the long journey—nearly 1,500 kilometers from Bochnia — to be there.
Antun Bačić was laid to rest at Rožat Cemetery in Dubrovnik. It is an absolutely stunning place — a chapel and cemetery perched atop a steep hill, accessible by hundreds of stone steps, offering a breathtaking view of the bay and marina below. As it turns out, Antun’s family home lies at the foot of this hill. You can see some drone photos of this place [LINK]. The ceremony was blessed with sunny weather and a bright, cloudless sky. This picturesque setting seemed to stand in absurd contrast to the heartbreaking reason that had brought us all there.
We brought with us from Bochnia a portrait of Antun, the same one that had been displayed during the memorial mass at St. Nicholas Basilica. Though the Croatians had only seen it in photos and videos before, when it was placed in the chapel and later by his grave, it stirred a wave of deep emotion among all present — including us…
Among the many wreaths laid on Antun’s grave were those from Poland: from the BSF club officials and players, the ABJ company, the Futsal Ekstraklasa, and the Małopolska Football Association.
The Polish delegation was received with great warmth by the locals. After the funeral, we were invited to a gathering at Antun’s family home. It was an opportunity to speak with his closest relatives and friends. Everyone expressed how deeply they were touched by the reaction from Bochnia’s community after the tragedy. They recalled, among other things, the video from Sunday’s match and the heartfelt gestures from the team and fans. In recent days, the people of Dubrovnik had been moved to discover just how much Bochnia had grown to love Antun. They already knew how much he loved Bochnia — he had told everyone back home about the warm welcome he received, the great atmosphere within the club, the amazing people he worked with, and the kindness of the fans.
“Antun was happy in Bochnia” we heard again and again.
Always smiling, optimistic, and kind-hearted, Antun had a way of bringing out the best in people. And incredibly, he still does — even after his passing. The outpouring of emotion and solidarity in the “City of Salt” has, in its own way, brought the people of Bochnia and Dubrovnik closer together.
On our way back to Poland, still deeply moved by the events of the funeral, I messaged Antun’s closest friend, whom we had met in Dubrovnik: “Now we understand even better why Antun was always so happy, smiling, and positive — he was surrounded by wonderful people here.” He thanked us and added that he hopes to visit Bochnia soon. Indeed, many of the people we spoke with in Dubrovnik expressed a desire to visit the city where Antun worked for the past year and a half — a place he grew so fond of. They want to see Bochnia for themselves, the sports hall, and to attend a match of His Team.
Perhaps, this plan might come true during the playoffs.
Perhaps, while visiting Dalmatia — a popular holiday destination for many Poles — you might consider stopping by Antun’s grave to light a candle in his memory. Below, you’ll find a map to help you locate the cemetery. The grave is situated right next to the chapel.
Here is a segment that was broadcast on Croatian television on the day of the funeral (featuring footage from Bochnia):
Photo: Tomasz STODOLNY
