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Yugoslavia strong, but known to stumble on big occasions |
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May
31, 2000 BELGRADE, MAY 30 (AP) - Considering the major stars on its roster, Yugoslavia should be among the favorites to win Euro 2000.
But a long tradition of stumbling on big occasions, political turmoil back home and international isolation could prevent the Yugoslavs from playing a major role in Belgium and Netherlands during the June 10-July 2 European Championship.
The old Yugoslav teams - before the country disintegrated in a civil war - were known as "European Brazilians" for their neat technical moves that sometimes produced great play, but mostly disappointing results.
The new team, comprised of players only from Serbia and Montenegro, is much more experienced than any Yugoslavia team sent to major tournaments.
All but three Yugoslav players in the 22-men squad for Euro 2000 ply their trade at foreign clubs, and the main stars - such as defender and free kick specialist Sinisa Mihajlovic, striker Predrag Mijatovic and midfielder Vladimir Jugovic - have played a major role at top Italian and Spanish teams.
"We have great players," said head coach Vujadin Boskov. "But their problems could be psychological, and we have to do something about it before the tournament starts."
Yugoslav team officials admitted that the country's economic and political troubles - such as the government crackdown against free media and dissent - could distract players.
Mihajlovic, of Italian champion Lazio Rome, recently threatened to quit the national team unless state media reports that he has joined President Slobodan Milosevic's ruling party are officially denied. An indirect apology in a state-run newspaper made Mihajlovic return to the squad.
Because of the country's pariah status, Boskov had trouble finding strong European opponents for Yugoslavia's preparation matches, forcing the team to make an Asian tour on the eve of Euro 2000. Yugoslavia beat China 2-0, but was held to a scoreless draw in South Korea.
Recent injuries of Mihajlovic, Mijatovic and Jugovic could also cause problems for Yugoslavs at the Euro 2000 where they play the former Yugoslav republic of Slovenia, Norway and Spain in first-round Group C.
Motivation, however, should not be a problem.
Yugoslavia was banned from the 1992 European Championship only weeks before its start because the United Nations imposed sanctions, punishing the nation for fomenting war in Croatia and Bosnia. Ironically, Yugoslavia's late replacement Denmark went on to win the tournament.
The sanctions also kept Yugoslavia from qualifying for the 1996 European Championship in England and the 1994 World Cup in the United States. The team qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France but lost to the Netherlands in the second round.
"I'll never forget the way we were kicked out of the Europeans in Sweden in 1992," said veteran captain Dragan Stojkovic. "We have an additional motive to do well at the Euro 2000 because of the unjust move by the international community."
The strength of the Yugoslav team lies in its stylish midfield - led by Stojkovic, Inter's Jugovic and raising star Dejan Stankovic of Lazio. The high-scoring attack is led by Mijatovic, whose repeated injuries prevented him from shining in Italy this season, Savo Milosevic, of Zaragoza in Spain, and Darko Kovacevic of Juventus in Italy.
Missing from the squad will be a former AC Milan midfielder, Dejan Savicevic, whose leg injury will not give him enough time to prepare for the tournament.
The defense, which revolves around Mihajlovic, Valencia's Miroslav Djukic and Celta Vigo's Goran Djorovic, is the weaker part of the squad and tends to panic under pressure. Starting goalkeeper Ivica Kralj was only a third reserve with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, which could reflect on his form during Euro.
"I expect we can do well at the tournament, and I think it would be a success if we reach the quarterfinals," said Boskov. "But in addition to the skills, we'll need a lot of luck." |