Serbia and Montenegro
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| Nickname(s) | White Eagles (Бели Орлови, Beli Orlovi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Association | Football Association of Serbia (Фудбалски савез Србије, Fudbalski savez Srbije) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Head coach |  Radomir Antić |
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| Captain | Dejan Stanković | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most caps | Savo Milošević (102) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top scorer | Savo Milošević (37) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home stadium | Stadion Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIFA code | SRB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIFA ranking | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest FIFA ranking | 16 (December 1998) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lowest FIFA ranking | 55 (October 2004) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elo ranking | T24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| First international | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As Yugoslavia Brazil 2 - 0 Yugoslavia  (Porto Alegre, Brazil; 23 December, 1994) As Serbia  Czech Republic 1 - 3 Serbia (Uherské Hradiště, Czech Republic; 16 August, 2006) |
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| Biggest win | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Faroe Islands 1 - 8 Yugoslavia (Toftir, Faroe Islands; 6 October 1996) |
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| Biggest defeat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Argentina 6 - 0 Serbia & Montenegro (Gelsenkirchen, Germany; 16 June, 2006) |
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| World Cup | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 10 (First in 1930) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Semi Finals 1930, 1962 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| European Championship | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 5 (First in 1960) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Final 1960, 1968 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Serbia national football team (Serbian: Фудбалска репрезентација Србије / Fudbalska reprezentacija Srbije) represents Serbia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Serbia. It was previously known as the Yugoslavia national football team from January 15, 1992 until February 4, 2003, and then as the Serbia and Montenegro national football team until June 3, 2006 when Serbia declared independence as the successor state to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. It was officially renamed the Serbia national football team on June 28, 2006, while the Montenegro national football team was created to represent the new state of Montenegro.
Both FIFA and UEFA consider the Serbia national team the direct descendant of the Serbia and Montenegro national team.
Between 1921 and 1992, this team did not exist as we know it today, since Serbia was part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918-1943) and later on, the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia (1945-1991). The Serbia national team existed from 1919 to 1921, and then ceased to exist following the creation of the first Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The new national team formed in 1992 was considered the direct descendant of the Yugoslavia national team, as it kept Yugoslavia’s former status, which was not the case for any other country resulting from the breakup of Yugoslavia.
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[edit] History
- See also: Yugoslavia national football team
[edit] Heritage from Yugoslavia
Between 1921 and 1992, the team did not exist as we know it today, since Serbia was part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918-1943) and later on, of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia (1945-1991). The Serbia national team existed from 1919 to 1921, but ceased to exist following the creation of the first Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
However, the Football Association of Serbia is a FIFA member since 1921 and a UEFA member since its creation in 1954. The Serbia national team is recognized, thanks to a mutual consent between both FIFA and UEFA, as the direct descendant of the Yugoslavia national team. Hence, the new national team formed in 1992 inherited of the full status, results, and achievements from Yugoslavia, which was not the case for any other country resulting from the breakup of Yugoslavia. Consequently, it did not have to apply to obtain a FIFA and UEFA status.
A similar situation happened following Montenegro’s decision to secede following a referendum held on May 21, 2006. Once more, Serbia inherited of the Serbia and Montenegro full status, and did not have to apply for a FIFA and UEFA status, while Montenegro was obligated to do so.
[edit] The beginnings and the 1998 FIFA World Cup
Although the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was formed on April 28, 1992, its teams were banned from all international sporting events, including the national football team. Consequently, the national team did not play its first name as a new country before December 23, 1994, a friendly match played in Porto Alegre and in which Brazil won by the mark of 2-0. This was the first ever team composed of Serbian and Montenegrin players exclusively, while Slobodan Santrač, a former Yugoslavia national team player, was named the team’s first ever manager. The next game was played only three days later, this time in Buenos Aires, resulting in 1-0 loss to Argentina. Despite two losses in two games, the team was honoured to play its first two games ever against such football powerhouses.
Also due to the United Nations international sanctions, the team could not take part in the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification, nor the UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying process.
On March 31, 1995, the team recorded its first official win in history, a 1-0 friendly against Uruguay, simultaneously marking the team’s first ever home game, played at Stadion Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade, and the first ever goal scored, courtesy of Savo Milošević. Slightly more than one year later, the team records its first ever win in a FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament in what would also appear to be its first game in such a tournament, a 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands. Shortly after, the team would also record its biggest win in history, once again against the Faroe Islands, 8-1. Yugoslavia would finish second in Group 6, just behind Spain, meaning it had to go through the play-off system in order to qualify. Yugoslavia was paired up with Hungary, and what was believed would be a tough matchup turned out to be an easy win for Yugoslavia, 7-1 in Budapest and 5-0 in Belgrade, for an aggregate score of 12-1. This was enough to secure Yugoslavia its first ever FIFA World Cup appearance as a new country.
The 1998 FIFA World Cup seeding had Yugoslavia ranked on 21st position, but the Yugoslav national football team was received in France as one of the shadow favorites for the highest place at the World Cup. The justification for such estimation was partially found in the names of the Yugoslav players, members of great European teams and proven footballers. The draw puts the team in Group F alongside Germany, the United States, and finally, Iran. Yugoslavia wins its first game by the mark of 1-0 against Iran thanks to a goal from defender Siniša Mihajlović. The next game is a heartbreaker for Yugoslavia. After leading Germany 2-0, last game’s hero, Mihajlović, scores an unlucky own goal following a German freekick, and Oliver Bierhoff equalises at 2-2 with only about ten minutes to the match. Nonetheless, Yugoslavia responds in the next game against the United States and wins 1-0 due to an early goal in Nantes. Yugoslavia made easy work of Group 6, but despite an excellent record, the game against Germany would prove costly as Germany wins the group thanks to a better goal differential.
Due to its second position, Yugoslavia sees itself face the Netherlands in the Round of 16. Yugoslavia enters in the match with a sole attacker, but its defensive tactics prove unsuccessful as Dennis Bergkamp puts the Netherlands in front in the 38th minute. Immediately following the start of the second half, Yugoslavia pressures the Dutch, who inevitably concede a header from Slobodan Komljenović. However, the turning point of this match would be a penalty shot awarded to Yugoslavia after Vladimir Jugović was fouled in the penalty area. Predrag Mijatović’s shot dazzled Edwin van der Sar, but not the crossbar, and the scoreline remained the same at 1-1. Such an event demoralized the Yugoslavs, as the Dutch took the initiative. In the late seconds of the game, as everybody was preparing for extra time, Edgar Davids shot towards the Yugoslav net from a distance of 20 meters and beat goalkeeper Ivica Kralj, to the pure disbelief of the Yugoslav players and fans. This marked the end of Yugoslavia’s run in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, since there was not much time left to do anything.
Unlucky events forced Yugoslavia out of the tournament, but the team definitely demonstrated its great ability and proved it had a spot among the world’s best teams. This was also reflected in the FIFA World Rankings following the 1998 FIFA World Cup, in which Yugoslavia was constantly ranked in the Top 10 for a long period of time.
[edit] Tournament records
[edit] World Cup record
- 1930 to 1990 – Not applicable; Was part of SFR Yugoslavia.
1994 – Could not enter ; Banned because of international sanctions due to Yugoslav wars (as Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
| Year | Round | Position | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1998 |
Round 2 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
  2002 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 2006 |
Round 1 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
| Total | 2/3 | - | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 13 |
[edit] 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification
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[edit] European Championship record
- 1960 to 1992 –Not applicable; Was part of SFR Yugoslavia.
1996 – Could not enter ; Banned because of international sanctions due to Yugoslav wars (as Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
| Year | Round | Position | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.svg){kind=small}  2000 |
Quarterfinals | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 13 |
 2004 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  2008 |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 1/3 | - | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 13 |
[edit] Players
[edit] Current squad
Most recent team called up for the World Cup qualifying matches.
[edit] Recent Call Ups
The following players have also been called up to the Serbia squad in 2008.
- Goalkeepers
| Name | Date of birth | Club | Caps (goals) | Most Recent Call up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vlada Avramov | 05 April 1979 |  Fiorentina |
2 (0) | |
| Radiša Ilić | September 20, 1977 | OFK Beograd |
1 (0) | v. Macedonia, 6 February 2008 |
- Defenders
| Name | Date of birth | Club | Caps (goals) | Most Recent Call up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pavle Ninkov | 20 April 1985 | Red Star Belgrade |
2 (0) | v. Russia, 28 May 2008 |
| Slobodan Rajković | 3 February 1989 | Twente |
2 (0) | v. Russia, 28 May 2008 |
| Nemanja Rnić | September 30, 1984 | Anderlecht |
3 (0) | v. Ukraine, 26 March 2008 |
| Marjan Marković | 28 September 1981 | Red Star Belgrade |
16 (0) | v. Republic of Ireland, 24 May 2008 |
| Duško Tošić | January 19, 1985 | Werder Bremen |
8 (1) |
- Midfielders
| Name | Date of birth | Club | Caps (goals) | Most Recent Call up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milan Smiljanić | 19 November 1986 |  Espanyol |
6 (1) | v. Germany, 31 May 2008 |