Part 20 of 32: Serbia and Montenegro
For part 20 of the series, Mihajlo V joins us. Mihajlo is 20 years old and lives in Canada, but was born in Serbia, and follows the team closely. I thank him for agreeing to the interview.
Tell us a bit about the Serbia and Montenegro football history and the football culture which exists.
Serbia and Montenegro is one of 5 teams to emerge from the break up of Yugoslavia, which was a nation with great football pedigree. Serbia and MOntenegro competed in the 1998 World Cup, as well as the EURO2000, although under the name of Yugoslavia. Each time, they were eliminated in teh second round. The Serbo-Montenegrin players are known as great technicians and dribblers. Some of the best players to ever come out of Serbia and Montenegro are: Dragan Dzajic, Dragoslav Sekularac, Dragan Stojkovic, Dejan Savicevic, Predrag Mijatovic, Vladimir Jugovic, Vladimir Petrovic, and Velibor Vasovic.
Tell us a bit about the Road to the World Cup – the qualification, and the emotions the fans went through at the time.
Serbia and Montenegro qualified first from the qualifying group 7 ahead of Spain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Lithuania, and San Marino. The team conceded only one goal, thanks to the defensive duo of Nemanja Vidic and Mladen Krstajic, as well as the goalkeeper, Dragoslav Jevric. The qualification was a big deal for the fans, seeing as the team failed to wualify for the last 2 major tournamets.
What style of football does the national team play?
More defensive than the great Yugoslav teams of the past, but still very technical.
What do you think your country’s prospects are at the World Cup?
Considering that we are placed in the toughest group at the World Cup, just being there is a great success, but a passage to the second round would be a great success, even a quarterfinal place is possible, but anything beyond that is highly unlikely.
Who will be the most important player for your country?
I think Nikola Zigic will be a very important player on our side, because he is 2.02 m tall, and will cause matchup nightmares for any team.
Which player in your country’s side would you most like to get rid of?
Most people feel that the captain, Savo Milosevic, should get kicked off the team because he is well into his thirties and has not been scoring many goals, but I feel that his leadership and experience can be valuable.
Who are the players to watch from the other countries?
Arjen Robben will cause problems on the left side, seeing as our team has no top notch right-back. Goran Gavrancic, who plays that position is a very good player, but his natural position is at centre back, and Dusan Basta, although very talented, might not be ready for such a task. Otehr players to look out for, are Didier Drogba, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
What will be your excuse in the event of failure?
No excuses, no one expects our team to advance from the group, and just being there is a great accomplishment.
Have you got the right manager?
Yes, Ilija Petkovic knows what he’s doing, although some of his decisions have been questioned.
What advice would you give him?
To call up Dejan “Rambo” Petkovic, one of the best players in Brazil.
Which team do you most want to beat?
Holland, because they eliminated us from the 1998 World Cup, thanks to a late goal by Edgar Davids, and because they destroyed us 6-1, at the EURO2000.
Which opposition player will get the most stick?
Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
Where will you watch the matches?
In Hamilton,Canada.
How keenly will the World Cup be followed in your country?
I think people are very excited, and the country will come to a stop, on June 9th
Who will be the player of the tournament?
Probably Ronaldinho, but maybe Totti, or Rooney, if they recover in time.
Who will win the Golden Boot?
Luca Toni.
Which team will disappoint the most?
Germany, because they don’t have the team that they had in the past, and the fact that they are playing at home will dissapoint even more, if they don’t do well.
Who will be the surprise team of the tournament?
Hopeflly, Serbia and Montenegro. The team has a lot of spirit.
Finally, Who will win the World Cup?
Brazil, but I would not count out Italy.
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I hope you enjoyed part 20. Follow up questions for Mihajlo can be e-mailed to me. Also, feel free to contact me if you would like to be interviewed or know a friend who would like/could be interviewed. Specific questions for specific countries which might pop in your mind in due course may also be sent.
For the rest of the interviews, check out the World Cup interview series page.
Tags: FIFA World Cup 2006, Football Interview Series, Serbia and Montenegro.
