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A to Z of WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA 2010 - Slovenia
SLOVENIA:
With a population of only 2.05 million, Slovenia is by some distance the smallest nation to appear at the 2010 World Cup. They came into being after the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia split in 1991, and played their first football match in 1992.
South Africa will be the country’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals. They qualified for the 2002 tournament in Japan/South Korea when they defeated Romania in a play-off. Sadly internal strife and poor form contributed to their being eliminated at the end of Round 1, pointless.
After failing to reach Germany in 2006, Slovenia were not expected to make it to South Africa either. Up against the Czech Republic, Poland and near neighbours Slovakia, it was felt that the best they could hope for was 3rd place. However through sheer guts and determination they finished in the runner-up spot behind Slovakia.
This earned them a two- legged play-off against Gus Hiddink’s Russia (population 142 million!). The first leg in Moscow saw the Russians race into a 2-0 lead, but a Nejic Pecnik goal two minutes from time gave the Slovenians a fighting chance. This they duly seized in the return leg when Zlatko Dedic scored the goal that enabled David to send Goliath back home, eliminated.
“Slovenia has realised a dream” said coach Matjaz Kek after his team’s defeat of Russia in the play-off. A ‘one cap wonder’ as a Slovenian international, Kek has been in charge of the side since January 2007. His squad is not noted for its household names. That said his team is not without a backbone of some talent.
Cologne striker Milivoje Novakovic, aged 30, will be going to South Africa in excellent form and is likely to be a handful for messers Terry and Co in the England defence. The other two members of the spine are goalkeeper Samir Handanovic of Udinese and the attacking midfield talent that is West Bromwich Albion’s Robert Koren.
Here in the UK it is well-known that Slovenia will be one of England’s opponents in Group C, alongside Algeria and the USA. Slovenia are 12/1 with VCBet to win this group, and 21/10 with Sportingbet to qualify for the last 16.
Their initial and final matches in the group stage will have a very big bearing on the final outcome. First up is Algeria, where William Hill has odds of 5/4 on a Slovenian win. England are the final hurdle on June 23rd. and you can get 15/2 from Skybet on St George’s men coming away with very red faces indeed!
Assuming that Slovenia do make it out of Group C, Paddy Power are offering 15/2 on a quarter-final spot, something that may be worth looking at as the tournament progresses. As underdogs they don’t come much smaller than the sparsely populated Slovenians. So, for all those of us who cheer on the all-too-infrequent triumphs of David over Goliath, Bwin have an attractive punt at 400/1 on a World Cup victory for Slovenia. The dream would indeed have been fully realised!
Posted: Friday, May 28th, 2010 @ 06:05 pm by Mark
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