June 6, 2006
GOOD TEAM, TOUGH GROUP”
Serbia has work cut out in “Group of Death”

The line in the Belgrade newspaper Blic last Dec. 10 was as incredulous as it was funny.

"Heidi Klum has sent us to hell," the newspaper said.

Blic was referring to World Cup draw TV host Heidi Klum and Serbia & Montenegro's World Cup opponents in Group C -- also known as the Group of Death -- Argentina, the Netherlands and Ivory Coast.

Serbia & Montenegro, which includes territory from the former Yugoslav Republic, will be playing in its first World Cup under that name.

"Many people are talking about our group being the hardest one of the whole tournament, but this is nothing for me to worry about," coach Ilija Petkovic said.

Petkovic added in an interview with FIFAWorldCup.com:

"I am not worried about anything, least of all the pressure. We know where we're playing, we know who we're playing, we know that the world is watching us. Our players are very experienced from club level and they will take that and implement it on the next level. Nobody expected us to be there so we cannot lose, we can only win."

The Serbians certainly have their work cut out for themselves. But Petkovic certainly is confident in his team.

"There's this 'One for all and all for one' feeling and a massive desire to represent our country on the world stage," he told FIFAWorldCup.com. "We want to show everybody that Serbia and Montenegro is still 'alive' on the map."

It is sometimes difficult to size up Serbia & Montenegro. In fact the European side might be one of the intriguing contradictions in this World Cup.

Officially, Serbia will be participating in its first World Cup. But before the eventual break-up and renaming of Serbia & Montenegro several years ago, the country competed as Yugoslavia in nine World Cups. Yugoslavia renamed itself in 2003.

Yugoslavia was known for its veteran players.

Serbia & Montenegro qualified for Germany behind its younger contingent.

Yugoslavia was known for its attacking players.

Serbia & Montenegro has forged a reputation as being a stingy defensive side.

So, if Serbia does go through to the second round, it probably will be because of its defense.

The team allowed only one goal in 12 qualifiers and that was in a 1-1 tie with Spain. Before that, the Serbians rolled off an impressive seven successive shutouts.

The team will be forced to play its first match against the Netherlands in Leipzig on June 11 without suspended defender Nemenja Vidic (incidentally, the 24-year-old Vidic reportedly has a webbed foot that has two of his toes welded together). In January, Vidic moved from Spartak Moscow to Manchester United on a $12 million transfer.

"Good defenders win you things and this lad is really natural and athletic," United coach Sir Alex Ferguson was quoted on the English Premiership team's TV channel.

The key man up front is forward Mateja Kezman of Atletico Madrid (Spain), who connected for several important qualifying goals. That included the equalizing in the 1-1 tie in Spain and the game-winner in the 1-0 victory over Bosnia, which clinched a spot.

Team captain and defender Mladen Krstajic, who performs for Schalke 04 (Germany), anchors one tough backline.

"No, we are not defensive," Petkovic said. "We have our tactics and a strong defense is an important aspect but we have very good midfielders and forwards too. I firmly believe that we will prove this in Germany. Defending is not the main part of our mentality – attacking is. But if we get results this way, I do not want to change anything."

If they don't get out of the opening round in one apiece, the Serbs might want to blame it on inexperience and a midfield that hasn't displayed much flair or creativity.

"They didn't lose a game in the qualifiers and only conceded one goal in a group with Spain and Belgium," BBC Belgrade correspondent Matt Prodger was quoted on his organization’s website. "They're underdogs with good recent form. Supporters point to a solid squad, lacking in big names, but consistent in performance. In as much as a national team reflects a nation's character, however, be prepared for surprises."

An important bit of information for World Cup history buffs

Even though Yugoslavia was a European side, its two best finishes came off-continent -- the semifinals in the very first tournament in Uruguay in 1930 and fourth place in Chile in 1962. In fact, the National team has a better record in South America -- 7-5 -- than playing on the continent -- 9-8-8.