Serbia are the principal descendants of Yugoslavia, a country with a rich World Cup history. The Blue and Whites came fourth on two occasions (1930 and 1962) and were a force to be reckoned with towards the end of the 80s, when with stars like Zvonimir Boban, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Davor Suker and Robert Prosinecki they conquered the Under-20 World Cup in Chile in 1987. Unfortunately – in football terms – Yugoslavia broke up as a nation at the start of the 90s and a golden team broke apart, heading to Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia.
Serbia topped Group 7 in European qualification for the World Cup, ahead of France, Austria, Romania, Lithuania and the Faroe Islands. In South Africa Serbia will play in the so called “iron group” with Germany, Australia and Ghana.
The Coach
Radomir Antic (SRB)
61 years old
Radomir Antic arrived on the Serbian bench in the summer of 2008, taking over from Miroslav Djukic who, in turn, had taken the place of Spaniard Javier Clemente. Antic has a stellar CV having managed Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. With Atletico he took La Liga by storm, winning the double in the 1995/96 season. The coach likes to vary his formation between a 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 – expect both to be in use in South Africa.
Players to watch
Dejan Stankovic
31 years old
Midfielder
Internazionale (ITA)
Stankovic is one of the leaders of this Serbia team. The Inter star is usually employed in a more defensive role with his country than used to at his club, but he occupies one of the key positions in Antic’s tactical setup. Coming off the back of a fine club season, Stankovic owes much to Jose Mourinho for that.
Nemanja Vidic
28 years old
Central defender
Manchester United (ENG)
The giant defender didn’t enjoy a particularly fault free season at Old Trafford, but he remains a world class defender. Alongisde Ivanovic, Vidic remains the leader of the Serbian defence. He is also one to watch in attack, especially for his heading ability at set pieces.
Milan Jovanovic
28 years old
Attacking midfelder
Standard Liege (BEL)
Jovanovic notched 15 goals in the Belgian Jupiler League with Standard Liege this season and after the World Cup will move to Liverpool. The 28-year-old can play on the left flank, in midfield and to support the attacking line. He could pop up with some important goals in South Africa.
Milos Krasic
28 years old
Midfielder
CSKA Moscow (RUS)
He might play in the Russian Premier League, but Milos Krasic has become an object of desire across the continent. Having starred for CSKA Moscow in the Champions League and turned out for all Serbia’s qualification matches, Krasic can be a lethal danger on the right flank.
The view from Serbia
Serbia (alongside Montenegro) performed poorly in Germany in 2006, even losing 6-0 in the group stage against Argentina. That is very much the past though and this team has inspired much hope and confidence in Belgrade. Serbia will believe they can make the last 16.
Prediction
If players like Stankovic, Vidic, Branislav Ivanovic, Jocvanoic and Krasic can perform on the World Cup stage then Serbia could be the revelation of the World Cup. Antic’s team face a struggle from the off though, right from the first game against Ghana. Should they pass the group test, anything is possible.
Did you know?
During the last home match against Romania (that Serbia won 5-0), the president of Serbia, other politicians and the president of the football federation were fined for violating alcohol laws inside the stadium. All coughed up €500.
Group games
13/06/10: Serbia 0 – 1 Ghana – Tshwane/Pretoria
18/06/10: Serbia 1 – 0 Germany – Nelson Mandela Bay
23/06/10: Serbia 1 – 2 Australia – Nelspruit
