Belle of the ball shows boys how's it's done

VOJAKOVAC, Croatia - Tihana Nemcic wants to be treated just like any other head coach.

The 24-year-old Nemcic, a former Croatia women's international and part-time model, just happens to be getting more attention than usual. That's because she has taken over as coach of a Croatian men's football team - fifth-division side NK Viktorija Vojakovac.

Nemcic, a former club player, graduated in July from Croatia's Sporting University. Since taking over at NK Viktorija Vojakovac, she has asserted herself as the one in charge - not the centre of a publicity stunt.

"I am the head coach and I have full liberty to create and plan the team's tactics," Nemcic said.

"If a woman and a man have the same professional qualifications for a coaching job, I see no reason why I should not get into male football."

The team is currently eighth in the 16-team league standings with four points after one win, one loss and a draw.

Tihomir Jagusic, one of the club's players, described Nemcic as "very good, focused and serious during training".

"We listen to her. She is very strict at training."

Nemcic became interested in the sport when she used to follow her boyfriend to training.

"I was watching him play, how he played. and then I started to play myself and it has become part of me to this very day."

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