World Cup 2010 Team Spotlight – Slovenia
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The WORLD CUP FINALS had their final draw on Dec 4th, 2009. 32 teams were picked out of their respective pots and we now know the matchups for World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Need predictions for Slovenia?
From the Coach
Analysis from the coach: “The players and the whole country are proud of our success. We want to show that, small as we are, we can compete with the best,” Slovenia coach Milivoje Novakovic
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The former Yugoslavian nation made its debut as a formal side in 1992, and since then have really only made noise in its qualifying for a first European championship.
However, after being a surprise entrant in 2002, they took the football world by surprise by defeating Guus Hiddink’s Russian squad to make its second appearance in a FIFA World Cup final.
Group C: England, Unites States, Algeria, and Slovenia
FIFA Ranking: 33
Slovenia Odds to win World Cup: +20000
Matchups:
June 13 vs. Algeria
June 18 vs. USA
June 23 vs. England
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Former player Slovenia talent Matjaz Kek was promoted to the position of senior coach In January 2007 after initially taking charge of the national U-15 and U-16 teams.
He has since formed one of the stingiest defenses in Europe and has gotten the side back to the game’s largest stage.
Although the Slovenian squad has no household names, the side’s success has been built on collective strength, but that’s not to say the team is without international talent.
The most well known player is Slovenia’s leading goal scorer, Milivoje Novakovic of Cologne fame. The Ljubljana-born striker scored five times during the teams qualifying campaign.
Captain Robert Koren anchors the midfield along Inter Milan midfielder Rene Krhin. The 19-year old native of Maribor was called up for the two-leg playoff against Russia and has a bright future for both club and country.
Slovenia’s run through the playoffs was somewhat of a Cinderella story as they blew by Poland, the Czech Republic and finally, Russia in the European playoffs.
The Slovenians’ success was based on what was arguably the most physical defense in the entire European Zone. They conceded just four times in 10 group matches and were only denied a first place finish when Slovakia – a team they had beaten home and away – upset Poland 1-0 on the final day.
That would set up an exciting playoff match against the mighty Russians who were the heavy favorite. Everything looked to be going according to plan as the Russians carried a 2-0 lead into the final two minutes of the first leg when Slovenia’s Nejc Pecnik buried the squad’s loan goal.
That set up one of the great qualifying upsets of recent years, as Zlatko Dedic netted the decisive goal sending Slovenia to the final in game two.
Slovenia has yet to win a match in a major international tournament, but this could be the year as the side has an excellent chance of advancing out of the group because of the doubts surrounding Algeria and the United States.
The odds are long to go far but don’t count the Slovenians out.
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Matt Martz is a sportswriter for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. “ Football (soccer) is a game in which a handful of fit men run around for one and a half hours watched by millions of people who could really use the exercise.”
