Top 5 former Yugoslav football national teams

Leon Smolski — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:14:47 +0000

They might not be the most consistent countries in world football, but they never grant easy life for their rivals whatsoever, that’s for sure! They are former Yugoslav countries.

Let’s check what our users think of the national squads from the Balkans.

19. Croatia

The most successful Balkan team that has missed only one World Cup and one European Cup since obtaining eligibility to enter those tournaments. It took the squad only five years from being accepted to FIFA to get their first medals at World Cup 1998. Guided by Davor Šuker, Zvonimir Boban and Slaven Bilić the Croatians beat favorites Germany and the Netherlands to claim a stunning third place. They never managed to repeat that success but have remained a solid powerhouse in world football and compete for another Brazil World Cup qualification.

20. Montenegro

The youngest of all international squads, formed in 2006, Montenegro have almost made it to Euro 2012 but lost to the Czech Republic in the play-offs. Before that they competed in a united squad of Serbia & Montenegro. In the current campaign to 2014 World Cup the small Balkan state takes a challenge to outlast England, Poland and Ukraine. Mirko Vučinić, Stevan Jovetić are the leaders of the squad.

28. Serbia

After a brilliant generation of Predrag Mijatović, Dragan Stojković, Siniša Mihajlović, Dejan Savićević, Savo Milošević that dominated in 1990s Serbia is struggling to get back to its former shine, although the likes of Branislav Ivanović, Aleksandar Kolarov, Neven Subotić and Nemanja Vidić helped them to make it through to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and beat the favorites Germany.

64. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Arguably the most underestimated national team in FootballTop user ranking. Guided by brilliant forwards Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibišević Bosnia and Herzegovina reached the play-offs to Euro 2012 but had to concede to Portugal. They are currently topping the qualifying group to the World Cup in Brazil and come close to their first big tournament.

75. Slovenia

Slovenia has so far qualified for two World Cups (2002 and 2010) and one European championship (2000). After they eliminated Russia in the play-off they participated in the World Championship in South Africa where they managed to get a victory over Algeria and draw with the United States.

World Cup 2014 qualifiers’ preview: Croatia vs Serbia

Basil Naumov — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:37:00 +0000

Croatia host bitter rivals Serbia in the key game of the Group A. Croatia are currently lying in the second place with 10 points, six points ahead of third-placed Serbia and behind the group leaders Belgium on goals difference. Croatians who are considered as sure-fire favourites in the forthcoming match, won against Wales, beat Macedonia twice and drew with Belgium. Serbians slipped to an eyebrow-raising defeat to Macedonia, outplayed Wales and drew with Scotland.

This game is decisive for Serbia, - should they suffer defeat, they will have only outside chance of progressing to the World Cup final stages.

Taking into account the history of violent clashes between Serbian and Croatian supporters, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs prohibited their citizens to attend the match in Zagreb. Nevertheless, it is widely expected that atmosphere will be fiery both on the stands and on the pitch.

Croatia team news:

Niko Kranjcar could replace Ivan Perisic in the midfield, who is set to miss the clash due to injury.

Head coach Igor Štimac is likely to stick to the line-up that battled to a 2-0 win over resilient Wales team with centurions Šimunić, Srna and Pletikosa to be included into the first XI.

Serbia team news:

Serbians set to miss their defender Nenad Tomovic because of suspension, after he was sent off during the game against Macedonia.
Ivanovic is likely to feature in the starting line-up, as he has recovered from injury.

Football Top.com - International football rating

Top 5 former Yugoslav football national teams

World Cup 2014 qualifiers’ preview: Croatia vs Serbia