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June 13, 2000
CHARLEROI, Belgium, JUNE 12 (AP) - Perennial underachiever Yugoslavia meets lowly rated but self-confident Slovenia in an emotional Euro 2000 match Tuesday between the former compatriots turned foes.
The Group C game - the first between the two former Yugoslav nations and the first for tiny Slovenia at a major soccer tournament - resonates with sports, politics and culture.
"It would be a scandal if we lose against Slovenia," said Yugoslav coach Vujadin Boskov. "Anything but our victory would be a catastrophe," he summed up.
The Slovenes, known for their Alpine skiing achievements but not soccer, surprised even themselves by qualifying for the 16-nation European Championships by eliminating Ukraine in the play-offs.
"Now, we have nothing to lose," said Slovenian coach Srecko Katanec. "I'll tell my players to go out there on the pitch and win the game, because they showed they have skills to beat any opponent, including Yugoslavia."
Yugoslavia's preparations for Euro 2000 could not have been much worse.
Several of its key players, including star defender Sinisa Mihajlovic of Lazio, midfielder Vladimir Jugovic if Inter and striker Predrag Mijatovic of Fiorentina suffered injuries on the eve of the tournament. Despite recoveries, their form is in doubt as they missed several matches in the Italian Serie A where they star.
They had criticized veteran coach Boskov for taking them on a grueling Asian tour last month, where Yugoslavia lost 2-4 to a Hong Kong league selection, and tied twice with South Korea.
Mihajlovic, a free-kick expert and Serie A's best-ever set-piece scorer, said the match against Slovenia will be especially tough.
"It is hard to play underdogs in the first rounds of major tournaments as they have psychological advantage," he said.
"Especially hard will be playing our former compatriots and friends."
The Yugoslavs - who have Mihajlovic's blistering free kicks, skillful midfield led by Lazio Roma's rising star Dejan Stankovic, and power up front of Juventus' striker Darko Kovacevic and Mijatovic - have often stumbled in big tournaments because of their traditional lack of team play.
The Slovenes, who split from former Yugoslavia after a brief war in May 1991, have a lot of motivation to achieve the historic victory in the group which also includes Norway and Spain.
"For us the match against Yugoslavia is the most important at the tournament," Katanec said. "The whole Slovenia is watching us and expecting a good result."
Temperamental midfielder Zlatko Zahovic, who spearheaded Slovenia's shock qualifying campaign with 9 goals in 12 matches, could become one of the tournament's stars.
"Yugoslavs are strong, especially individually," said Zahovic, whose disputes with Olympiakos Piraeus coaches saw him suspended from the Greek club and fined.
"Slovenia play as one, as a team, and that could prevail," Zahovic added.
Slovenia, mostly made up of players of Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian origin, is a bit thin in the defense and in the attack, but has shown a lot of stamina in important matches.
Zahovic and quick midfielder Djoni Novak, the only Slovene on the team who has played for the former Yugoslav national squad, are likely to spearhead counterattacks against the Yugoslavs.
Katanec has to decide between two goalkeepers, Mladen Dabanovic and Marko Simeunovic. Simeunovic is considered a better goalie, but knows to collapse under pressure in big matches. Main man marker in defense, Aleksandar Knavs, is a doubtful starter because of a leg injury.
Questionable starters for Yugoslavia include injured defenders Goran Djorovic of Celta Vigo, Red Star's Ivan Dudic and midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic of Spanish champion Deportivo La Coruna.
Probable lineups:
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