Serbia – The country, the football
The Republic of Serbia, best known as Serbia, is a European country located in the central part, as well as in the southeastern part of the European continent.
Its land – which reaches the southern part of the Pannonian Plain and the central part of the Balkans – is the neighbor of Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
Serbia’s total area is said to be around 88,361 km2, and it has an estimated population of about 7,334,935 people. The Serbian national football team, which carries the nickname “Beli Orlovi” (meaning “White Eagles” in English), endured years in the dark since last competing in a FIFA World Cup. This achievement takes us back to the year 1990.
The dream of being remarked was however realized after securing a place in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Now, Serbia need to get ready to show the world how great their progresses have been while they were out of sight.
Serbia – The road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.jpg)
An initial draw was scheduled to take place in November 2007 to determine the tables for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification in the European zone. By reason of their position in Pot C ahead of the draw for the First Round, Serbia was placed in Group 7, being associated with top seeds France, Euro 2008 co-hosts finals Austria, plus Lithuania, Romania, and Faroe Islands.
Many believed that Serbia wouldn’t have made it through the next stage of the qualifiers, although some predicted that they would be eligible for the play-offs, at most. Regardless of the public’s guesses, the White Eagles focused on their ultimate target, given their all to be rewarded with deserved tickets for South Africa in June 2010.
In fact, Serbia began their mission quite convincingly with a decent 2-0 home victory over the Faroe Islands, in their first qualifier. Expectedly, they were silenced by France in match-day 2, losing by two goals to one at the Stade de France on November 10, 2008.
Serbia came back much stronger, hammering Lithuania 3-0, beating Austria 3-1, and edging past Romania 3-2 in their next three qualifying games. Three goals and a clean sheet in their next two World Cup qualifying encounters saw the Serbians grab six more points to trouble the French at the top of Group 7, and in fact, this record was good enough to be considered as a positive preparation before their clash against Les Bleus.
Unfortunately, the White Eagles weren’t capable of defeating France at the Stadion Crvena Zvezda, but a 1-1 draw in the end was better than zero point, and the Serbians didn’t have too much to worry about, bearing in mind the poor run of the rest of their challengers in their table. After that, a merciless Serbian side expressed their desire to surprise the public through an amazing 5-0 win against helpless side Romania.
This wasn’t all for the White Eagles, who had three more points to collect in their group before the end of the First Round; sadly, Lithuania prevented the former UEFA Euro Championship hosts to get the perfect end to their campaign in their qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Fortunately though, this setback didn’t prevent Serbia from qualifying for the tournament’s finals. With 22 points at the top, either a single point ahead of second-placed team France, the Serbians had cemented their place for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Serbia – 2010 FIFA World Cup group stage
Being a nation from Europe, Pot 4 was where Serbia was locked before the start of the draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup’s group stages. They entered Group D, being surrounded by former World Cup hosts Germany, Oceanic giants Australia, and Africa's Black Star Ghana.
Match-day 1: Serbia vs Ghana
Serbia will first meet Ghana at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, at 16:00 local time on June 13. Ghana only made their first appearance in the FIFA World Cup tournament in 2006, but their impact in the competition was undoubtedly stronger than anyone would have imagined.
Victories over the then-second highest ranked team in the world the Czech Republic, and the USA were astonished the world. Hence, keeping their resistant spirit to stun the Serbians in their first match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup played in South Africa will not be out of expectations this time.
The White Eagles are thus advised to fly low and fast, if ever they are to prevent the Black Stars from falling on them and covering them with darkness.
Match-day 2: Germany vs Serbia
This is without doubt a very tough match, and it is set to take place on June 18, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, at 11:30 GMT.
Throughout this decade, the Germans have proved determined in their mission of winning international honors, whereas the Serbians have been fighting for their place back into the spotlight.
Indeed, both countries have achieved important things in recent years, and neither Germany nor Serbia are expected to be driven by complacency.
Certainly, if Serbia were able to squeeze out the French, one could wonder who will be on top when the DFB-Eleven and the White Eagles meet…
Match-day 3: Australia vs Serbia
On June 23, at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Australia will welcome Serbia in a match which might partly decide who will qualify into the knockout phase between these two teams.
Australia had a nice run in their 2010 World Cup qualification (AFC zone), and considering their courage in the tournament, seriousness could eventually be the most effective weapon for the Serbians to survive.
The White Eagles are not regular participants in the competition – consequently, they will surely hope to be in control of this particular game, in an attempt to improve their situation in their table, despite the consequences of their previous group games.
Serbia – Quick Analysis: Expectations from the country and its top stars
The Serbian national football team is the perfect example for a good, consistent, and simple team. Their strength of mind have allowed them to avoid bad shocks in their qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But in a way, this evidence was brought to light thanks to their key players.
Nemanja Vidić:
The 28-year-old centre back is a star in the English Premier League, as a regular starting player for Manchester United. With over a hundred appearances for the Red Devils since 2006, Vidić knows how it feels to lift big European trophies including the Premier League title, the UEFA Champions League title, and other major cups like the FIFA World Club Cup trophy.
It is undeniable that he has got a lot of experience, and he can boast of his help for his country during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, in which Serbia had the best defensive record. In case everything goes according to plan for the player, Nemanja Vidić will feature for the White Eagles in South Africa, and his presence will definitely be a nightmare for several attackers from other countries.
Dejan Stanković:
The 31-year old midfielder is an Inter Milan star with over 150 appearances for the Nerazzurri. Stanković was also included in the Serbia national football squad in 1998, and he has now made over 80 caps for the White Eagles.
In his club career, the attacking midfielder has won many titles, but when it comes to his international career, there isn’t much to talk about. A powerful influence and a brilliant display, alongside good combinations with Nemanja Vidić and the rest of his mates could nevertheless better his career for his country.
In any case, succeeding at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will more be a matter of living up to expectations, than achieving a personal dream.
Serbia – 2010 FIFA World Cup squad
Goalkeepers:
Andjelko Djuricic; Bojan Isailovic; Vladimir Stojkovic
Defenders:
Aleksandar Kolarov; Ivan Obradovic; Aleksandar Lukovic; Neven Subotic; Nemanja Vidic; Antonio Rukavina; Branislav Ivanovic
Midfielders:
Milan Jovanovic; Milos Ninkovic; Zoran Tosic; Milos Krasic; Radosav Petrovic; Zdravko Kuzmanovic; Nenad Milijas; Gojko Kacar; Dejan Stankovic
Forwards:
Dragan Mrdja; Danko Lazovic; Marko Pantelic; Nikola Zigic
Serbia – Relevant Quote
Radomir Antic: “I believe we can make it.”
Serbia Coach Radomir Antic declares that his side is in a challenging group with Germany and Australia, but he believes his great players will enjoy the World Cup. Ignoring Ghana’s Black Stars, this is what Radomir said:
“For me, Germany are the clear favorites, but I am still happy with the draw. I know it is going to be really interesting because each team has a very different playing style. My players are very young, physically and technically strong, and together, they certainly compose the best Serbian team there has ever been.”
“I believe in my players and I have no doubts that they are going to have a great World Cup. I also respect Australia a lot because I know they are a very competitive country, with a great sporting tradition.”
Serbia – 201
0 FIFA World Cup record
2010: Qualified as participants
1990, 1958, 1954: Quarterfinals
1982: Group Stage
1974: Round 2
1962, 1930: Fourth Place
1950: Round 1
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