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World Cup 2010 Comment: History In The Making For Eastern Europe's Representatives
Volatile politics means that all three of the World Cup's eastern European sides didn't even exist two decades ago - Goal.com assesses their recent history and chances of success in South Africa...
Jun 10, 2010 11:00:00 AM
By Marcus Haydon
Watching back games from the 1990 World Cup highlights just how much football has changed in the last 20 years. Play from that tournament is now rendered almost pedestrian given the emergence of pace, dynamism and pressing in the modern game. However, aside from the obvious changes in style that have occurred on the field, the turbulent nature of politics in eastern Europe means that the World Cup in South Africa will feature three sides from the region that didn’t even exist when Luciano Pavarotti was belting out Nessun Dorma at Italia 90.
Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia are all products of this political dynamic, albeit for differing reasons. While Slovakia and Slovenia made steps to liberate themselves from larger republics (Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia respectively), modern-day Serbia is a result of the gradual fragmentation of Yugoslavia over the last two decades. The incremental nature of the split means that for Serbia’s current captain, Dejan Stankovic, he will be representing his third country at a World Cup finals - Yugoslavia in 1998, Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, and now the independent Serbia in 2010.
Such developments may lead you to believe that the tales of these three countries could be framed as ‘coming of age’ stories, but in reality that’s a statement that can only really be applied to the true debutants, Slovakia. Under the shrewd tutorship of Vladimir Weiss, the Slovaks have shown steady progress since first competing in qualification of the World Cup back in 1998. Back then they finished fourth in the qualifying group, then third in 2002, second in 2006, before topping their group in 2010 - which also included neighbours Czech Republic.
"Our country is very proud," said Miroslav Karhan, Slovakia’s record appearance holder. "Qualifying for the World Cup is important for the identity of our young nation but we know it’s going to be hard work to perform well in South Africa." Unfortunately for Karhan and Slovakia, the veteran midfielder will miss the tournament with injury - a bitter blow to one of the country’s most dedicated internationals. The history behind the Slovakian journey is also very familiar to their coach Weiss, who played for Czechoslovakia at Italia 90, and even scored Slovakia’s first goal in 1994, just months after the declaration of independence. It’s hardly any wonder then that the normally composed Weiss was completely overcome with emotion when his side clinched a place in South Africa courtesy of a nervy 1-0 win in snow-swept Poland.
For Slovenia, their qualification may not be their first, but that shouldn't be to diminish what a remarkable achievement it is. Sandwiched between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, it is a country with a population of little over two million people. Added to this, its wonderful natural environment means that football is by no means the dominant sport in the country. And yet, despite all this, the Slovenians are making their second appearance at the World Cup having come through a group that included Czech Republic and Poland before they incomprehensibly beat Russia - a country with a population seventy times that of Slovenia‘s - in the play-offs.
Mercifully, it appears that the appearance of Slovenia at the finals this year will not be tarnished in the same manner as it was eight years ago when they appeared in Japan and South Korea. On that occasion, the team’s two big personalities, coach Srecko Katanec and key playmaker Zlatko Zahovic, engaged in a dressing room argument after their opening fixture with Spain that degenerated into Zahovic claiming he could buy "you [Katanec], your house and your family". Zahovic was sent home disgraced, and Slovenia followed shortly after having failed to collect a single point. The current side, coached by the sedate Matjaz Kek, appear unlikely to repeat that spectacular implosion, with the coach and his captain Robert Koren sporting much less volatile personalities, not to mention considerably smaller egos than their predecessors.
Another side who have shown the capacity for destruction from within are Serbia who, under the guise of Serbia and Montenegro at the last World Cup, managed to defy the strength of the qualification (in which they conceded just a single goal in ten matches) by losing every game in Germany. On that occasion, contempt had been provoked by the then coach, Ilija Petkovic, who somewhat unjustifiably picked his son to be in the squad. Flagrant nepotism aside, the team still had far greater potential than was evidenced by their three defeats, despite the spate of injuries they suffered.
This time round the squad appears to have genuine unity, thanks in no small part to the influence of their vastly experience coach, Raddy Antic. Having been an expert on diplomatic relations - he has coached on both sides of the Madrid divide, as well as at Barcelona - Antic’s reforms brought almost instant success to Serbia as they topped a qualifying group that also included France, Austria and Romania. "The national team will have a chance at this World Cup to play for the first time without troubles caused by money, political circumstances and unfulfilled promises,” journalist Vladimir Stankovic told World Soccer recently. "This time the players can focus solely on football."
It’s fair to say that while Serbia are many peoples' dark horses for the tournament, some remain sceptical because of their history of internal conflict. Realistically though, given Antic’s calm tutorship, the Serbian supporters finally have - just as Pavarotti did back in 1990 - something genuinely exciting to sing about.
What to expect from the three eastern European sides…
Raddy Antic’s side were pretty consistent in qualifying in terms of system, personnel and results. Only once during qualifying did they stray away from their typical 4-4-2 system - against France when Antic switched to a 4-5-1 because Marko Pantelic’s suspension. The back four is solid, experienced and consistent, albeit undermined somewhat by the erratic tendancies of their goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic. In midfield, Dejan Stankovic and Nenad Milijas tend to be located quite deep, circulating the ball, before looking to bring the forwards and wide men into play.
Milos Krasic and Milan Jovanovic will play on the wings and provide contrasting qualities: Krasic is a powerful, direct runner, while Jovanovic offers more craft and guile on the left side. Up front, Antic is likely to partner the giant Nikola Zigic with the tenacious Marko Pantelic. Zigic is crucial for ball retention the final third, and is adept at both linking play and winning his fair share of aerial balls. Pantelic has struggled to be prolific at international level, but his work rate and attacking intuition make him an awkward figure to neutralise.
Key man: Nikola Zigic - not the most talented, but vitally important to the system.
Weakness: Goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic is unreliable at best.
Weiss’s side have a nice verve about their play and have some interesting options going forwards. Goalkeeper Jan Mucha is very much in his prime and was heroic during the qualifying campaign - particularly in the final match of qualifying against Poland. His domestic form for Legia Warsaw has earned him a move to England with Everton. In front of Mucha, centre-backs Jan Durica and Martin Skrtel are well assimilated and experienced at international level.
Karhan’s absence in midfield opens the door for Zdeno Strba, although Kamil Kopunek is another reliable alternative. Vladimir Weiss Jnr and Miroslav Stoch offer pace and flair aplenty on the wings, while Napoli’s Marek Hamsik fuses the team together with his polished, smart attacking play. Up front, the emergent Stanislav Sestak, who struck six times during the qualifying campaign, is likely to be partnered the experienced Robert Vittek. Filip Holosko of Besiktas and the persistent Erik Jendrisek offer Weiss useful alternatives.
Key man: Marek Hamsik - the side's talisman and most gifted player.
Weakness: The injury to Miroslav Karhan robs the team of vital experience.
Robert Koren and Aleksander Radosavljevic are unfussy but clever movers of the ball in central midfield, allowing the more attacking wingers, Valter Birsa and Andraz Kirm, to push on. Birsa is a lively runner, constantly asking questions of full-backs, but is often let down by his inconsistent delivery. Up front, two Bundesliga marksmen provide the firepower, with the ferociously dogged Zlatko Dedic partnering the team’s star attacker, Cologne’s Milivoje Novakovic.
Much of the side's attacking play is channelled through Novakovic who is a shrewd point of reference and habitually drops off the frontline to engage with the midfield or to receive Suler’s passes from the back. Also expect to see the athletic forward Zlatan Ljubijankic get some playing time off the substitutes bench.
Key man: Milivoje Novakovic - is greatly relied upon to create and score goals.
Weakness: The defence can be a little prone to overplaying.
| Bet: | Returns: | Greece £21.00 | Draw £33.00 | Slovenia £33.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Greece £22.00 | Draw £32.00 | Slovenia £30.00 |
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Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia are all products of this political dynamic, albeit for differing reasons. While Slovakia and Slovenia made steps to liberate themselves from larger republics (Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia respectively), modern-day Serbia is a result of the gradual fragmentation of Yugoslavia over the last two decades. The incremental nature of the split means that for Serbia’s current captain, Dejan Stankovic, he will be representing his third country at a World Cup finals - Yugoslavia in 1998, Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, and now the independent Serbia in 2010.
Such developments may lead you to believe that the tales of these three countries could be framed as ‘coming of age’ stories, but in reality that’s a statement that can only really be applied to the true debutants, Slovakia. Under the shrewd tutorship of Vladimir Weiss, the Slovaks have shown steady progress since first competing in qualification of the World Cup back in 1998. Back then they finished fourth in the qualifying group, then third in 2002, second in 2006, before topping their group in 2010 - which also included neighbours Czech Republic.
Marek Hamsik | Key to to Slovakia's hopes in South Africa
"Our country is very proud," said Miroslav Karhan, Slovakia’s record appearance holder. "Qualifying for the World Cup is important for the identity of our young nation but we know it’s going to be hard work to perform well in South Africa." Unfortunately for Karhan and Slovakia, the veteran midfielder will miss the tournament with injury - a bitter blow to one of the country’s most dedicated internationals. The history behind the Slovakian journey is also very familiar to their coach Weiss, who played for Czechoslovakia at Italia 90, and even scored Slovakia’s first goal in 1994, just months after the declaration of independence. It’s hardly any wonder then that the normally composed Weiss was completely overcome with emotion when his side clinched a place in South Africa courtesy of a nervy 1-0 win in snow-swept Poland.
For Slovenia, their qualification may not be their first, but that shouldn't be to diminish what a remarkable achievement it is. Sandwiched between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia, it is a country with a population of little over two million people. Added to this, its wonderful natural environment means that football is by no means the dominant sport in the country. And yet, despite all this, the Slovenians are making their second appearance at the World Cup having come through a group that included Czech Republic and Poland before they incomprehensibly beat Russia - a country with a population seventy times that of Slovenia‘s - in the play-offs.
Mercifully, it appears that the appearance of Slovenia at the finals this year will not be tarnished in the same manner as it was eight years ago when they appeared in Japan and South Korea. On that occasion, the team’s two big personalities, coach Srecko Katanec and key playmaker Zlatko Zahovic, engaged in a dressing room argument after their opening fixture with Spain that degenerated into Zahovic claiming he could buy "you [Katanec], your house and your family". Zahovic was sent home disgraced, and Slovenia followed shortly after having failed to collect a single point. The current side, coached by the sedate Matjaz Kek, appear unlikely to repeat that spectacular implosion, with the coach and his captain Robert Koren sporting much less volatile personalities, not to mention considerably smaller egos than their predecessors.
Zlatko Zahovic | Sent home by Slovenia in 2002
Another side who have shown the capacity for destruction from within are Serbia who, under the guise of Serbia and Montenegro at the last World Cup, managed to defy the strength of the qualification (in which they conceded just a single goal in ten matches) by losing every game in Germany. On that occasion, contempt had been provoked by the then coach, Ilija Petkovic, who somewhat unjustifiably picked his son to be in the squad. Flagrant nepotism aside, the team still had far greater potential than was evidenced by their three defeats, despite the spate of injuries they suffered.
This time round the squad appears to have genuine unity, thanks in no small part to the influence of their vastly experience coach, Raddy Antic. Having been an expert on diplomatic relations - he has coached on both sides of the Madrid divide, as well as at Barcelona - Antic’s reforms brought almost instant success to Serbia as they topped a qualifying group that also included France, Austria and Romania. "The national team will have a chance at this World Cup to play for the first time without troubles caused by money, political circumstances and unfulfilled promises,” journalist Vladimir Stankovic told World Soccer recently. "This time the players can focus solely on football."
Serbia | Reasons to be positive
It’s fair to say that while Serbia are many peoples' dark horses for the tournament, some remain sceptical because of their history of internal conflict. Realistically though, given Antic’s calm tutorship, the Serbian supporters finally have - just as Pavarotti did back in 1990 - something genuinely exciting to sing about.
What to expect from the three eastern European sides…
Serbia
Raddy Antic’s side were pretty consistent in qualifying in terms of system, personnel and results. Only once during qualifying did they stray away from their typical 4-4-2 system - against France when Antic switched to a 4-5-1 because Marko Pantelic’s suspension. The back four is solid, experienced and consistent, albeit undermined somewhat by the erratic tendancies of their goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic. In midfield, Dejan Stankovic and Nenad Milijas tend to be located quite deep, circulating the ball, before looking to bring the forwards and wide men into play.
Milos Krasic and Milan Jovanovic will play on the wings and provide contrasting qualities: Krasic is a powerful, direct runner, while Jovanovic offers more craft and guile on the left side. Up front, Antic is likely to partner the giant Nikola Zigic with the tenacious Marko Pantelic. Zigic is crucial for ball retention the final third, and is adept at both linking play and winning his fair share of aerial balls. Pantelic has struggled to be prolific at international level, but his work rate and attacking intuition make him an awkward figure to neutralise.
Key man: Nikola Zigic - not the most talented, but vitally important to the system.
Weakness: Goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic is unreliable at best.
Slovakia
Weiss’s side have a nice verve about their play and have some interesting options going forwards. Goalkeeper Jan Mucha is very much in his prime and was heroic during the qualifying campaign - particularly in the final match of qualifying against Poland. His domestic form for Legia Warsaw has earned him a move to England with Everton. In front of Mucha, centre-backs Jan Durica and Martin Skrtel are well assimilated and experienced at international level.
Karhan’s absence in midfield opens the door for Zdeno Strba, although Kamil Kopunek is another reliable alternative. Vladimir Weiss Jnr and Miroslav Stoch offer pace and flair aplenty on the wings, while Napoli’s Marek Hamsik fuses the team together with his polished, smart attacking play. Up front, the emergent Stanislav Sestak, who struck six times during the qualifying campaign, is likely to be partnered the experienced Robert Vittek. Filip Holosko of Besiktas and the persistent Erik Jendrisek offer Weiss useful alternatives.
Key man: Marek Hamsik - the side's talisman and most gifted player.
Weakness: The injury to Miroslav Karhan robs the team of vital experience.
Slovenia
Robert Koren and Aleksander Radosavljevic are unfussy but clever movers of the ball in central midfield, allowing the more attacking wingers, Valter Birsa and Andraz Kirm, to push on. Birsa is a lively runner, constantly asking questions of full-backs, but is often let down by his inconsistent delivery. Up front, two Bundesliga marksmen provide the firepower, with the ferociously dogged Zlatko Dedic partnering the team’s star attacker, Cologne’s Milivoje Novakovic.
Much of the side's attacking play is channelled through Novakovic who is a shrewd point of reference and habitually drops off the frontline to engage with the midfield or to receive Suler’s passes from the back. Also expect to see the athletic forward Zlatan Ljubijankic get some playing time off the substitutes bench.
Key man: Milivoje Novakovic - is greatly relied upon to create and score goals.
Weakness: The defence can be a little prone to overplaying.
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