Slovenia TEAMS

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Milivoje Novakovic helped Slovenia upset Russia to make only its third major tournament as an independent nation. Can the Group C underdogs advance to a knockout stage for the first time ever?

World-Slovenia may give premier more boots to shine


LJUBLJANA, May 19 (Reuters) - Soccer often takes a back seat in Slovenia, a country of just two million where winter sports such as Alpine skiing, ski jumping and ice hockey draw bigger crowds than first division matches.

That definitely was not the case after the Slovenians stunned Russia in a World Cup playoff to reach their third major tournament as an independent nation.

The country's celebrations were capped by Prime Minister Borut Pahor fulfilling a promise to clean the players' boots.

"I admit I did not clean them thoroughly," Pahor told Slovenian TV after coming out of the dressing room.

The Slovenians hope to qualify for the knockout stage of a major competition for the first time in South Africa and their qualifying performances give cause for optimism.

Slovenia sprung the first upset when they clinched the runners-up spot in a qualifying group including Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland.

They then produced the shock of Europe's play-offs when they knocked out Russia on away goals.

That kind of resilience has been the Slovenian national team's trademark down the years and although they will start as underdogs against England in Group C, they will not fear Algeria or the United States.

Slovenia are a tough side to break down and their back four are superbly marshalled by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic who has made a name for himself in Serie A in three seasons with Udinese.

Wisla Krakow's Andraz Kirm and Bostjan Cesar, who plays for French side Grenoble, were the defensive pillars in Slovenia's qualifying campaign while Valter Birsa of AJ Auxerre pulled the strings in midfield.

The key player on the road to South Africa was 30-year-old Cologne striker Milivoje Novakovic, the top scorer with five goals.

If Slovenia can produce the kind of consistency that took them through the qualifiers, reaching the knockout stage may not be beyond them.

However a thin squad with limited talent is unlikely to progress beyond the last 16 and even that may be too tall an order if any of their main players pick up injuries or suspensions.

World-Factbox on Slovenia
May 19 (Reuters) - Factbox on Slovenia who are competing in Group C at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa:

Colours: Green and white shirts, white shorts and white socks

Nickname: Zmajceki (Dragons)

Previous World Cup Appearances: 1: 2002

Best World Cup performance: group stage in 2002

Coach: Matjaz Kek

Most capped player: Zlatko Zahovic 80

Top scorer: Zlatko Zahovic 35

Talking points:

Slovenia caused a major upset to qualify for the World Cup finals after they knocked out favourites Russia in one of Europe's four play-offs. Coach Matjaz Kek is confident they can reach the last 16 for the first time in a major tournament, but acknowledged his thin squad would have to reproduce their qualifying form. Slovenia are an industrious team with few world-class talents but their work rate can outweigh their weaknesses. It remains to be seen whether gifted youngsters Rene Krhin and Tim Matavz will break into the final 23-man squad.

Players to watch:

Striker Milivoje Novakovic was Slovenia's top scorer in qualifying and the team's chances of reaching the last 16 rest heavily on his clinical finishing. Midfielder Valter Birsa has had an excellent season at Ligue 1 side Auxerre while goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic appears to have peaked at Serie A club Udinese and the trio should be the backbone of Slovenia's effort to reach uncharted territory in major tournaments, having bowed out of the group stage in Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup.


Slovakia Squad - Recovering Liverpool Defender Martin Skrtel Picked
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss has announced his confirmed squad for the 2010 World Cup. Weiss cut six players from his provisional 29-man squad.

Nantes goalkeeper Lubos Kamenar, Leeds United defender Lubomir Michalik and Zenit St. Petersburg's Tomas Hubocan were among the players that only just missed out on the final squad.

Weiss did include Liverpool's Martin Skrtel, Besiktas forward Martin Holosko and Robert Vittek of Lille, despite the trio's recent injury concerns.

"There are still some question marks," Weiss said to reporters. "In case of an injury anything can happen."

Slovakia will have to deal with Italy, Paraguay and New Zealand if they are to survive the group stage. They start the tournament with a match against the Kiwis on June 15.
Goalkeepers  
Jan Mucha    Legia Warsaw (POL)
Dusan Kuciak    Vaslui (ROU)
Dusan Pernis    Dundee United (SCO)
Defenders    -
Marek Cech    West Bromwich Albion (ENG)
Jan Durica    Hannover 96 (GER)
Peter Pekarik    Wolfsburg (GER)
Martin Petras    Cesena (ITA)
Kornel Salata    Slovan Bratislava
Martin Skrtel    Liverpool (ENG)
Radoslav Zabavnik    Mainz (GER)
Midfielders    -
Marek Hamsik    Napoli (ITA)
Jan Kozak    Plitechnica
Juraj Kucka    Sparta Prague (CZE)
Marek Sapara    Ankaragucu (TUR)
Stanislav Sestak    Bochum (GER)
Zdeno Strba    Skoda Xanthi
Kamil Kopunek    Spartak Trnava
Miroslav Stoch    Chelsea (ENG)
Vladimir Weiss    Manchester City (ENG)
Forwards    -
Filip Holosko    Besiktas (TUR)
Martin Jakubko    Moskva (RUS)
Erik Jendrisek    Schalke (GER)
Robert Vittek    Lille (FRA)