|
|
Other News |
'Balkan bomber' major threat for goalkeepers at Euro 2000 |
|
News |
|
|
May
31, 2000 BELGRADE, MAY 30 (AP) - For a defender, Sinisa Mihajlovic has turned out to be a major threat for goalkeepers.
The "Bomber from the Balkans" has scored more free kicks in Serie A than anyone else in the history of the Italian league, even more than legendary Argentinian star Diego Maradona.
"It is great to have such dead-ball experts on the team," said Yugoslav national team coach Vujadin Boskov. "Even if the team plays poorly, a free-kick by Mihajlovic could settle it all."
Mihajlovic, 31, who has scored six goals with Italian champion Lazio Rome this season, pulled a right thigh muscle during a training session, but is almost certain to star at Euro 2000. His free-kick goals proved crucial when he won European Champions Cup with Red Star Belgrade in 1991, and later when he played for Roma and Sampdoria in Italy.
"The European Championship could be the last chance for me and my teammates to shine at a major tournament," Mihajlovic said. "My free kicks could help, but the general team play is much more important."
Mihajlovic, known for his fighting spirit and emotions, has almost quit the national team ahead of the Euro 2000, where Yugoslavia plays in Group C along with Slovenia, Norway and Spain.
He said he would not play at Euro 2000 unless reports in the state-run media that he has joined President Slobodan Milosevic's ruling party were officially denied. He returned to the team only after a state-run daily indirectly apologized.
Mihajlovic said he felt "terrible and on the verge of tears" because of the controversy. "I felt like this only when my country was bombed" by NATO a year ago, he added. |