Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Slovenia

Slovenia are in Group C at the World Cup and will play Algeria, the USA and England. This is the Slovenia squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Samir Handanovic, Club- Udinese, Age at the World Cup (AWC) 25.

RB. Aleksander Rajcevic, Club- FC Koper (Slovenia), (AWC) 23.

CB. Marko Suler, Club- Gent (Belgium), (AWC) 27.

CB. Bostjan Cesar, Club- Grenoble (Ligue 1), (AWC) 27.

LB. Miso Brecko, Club- Koln (Bundesliga), (AWC) 26.

CM. Dalibor Stevanovic, Club- Vitesse, (AWC) 25.

RM. Robert Koren, Club- West Bromwich Albion (Championship), (AWC) 29.

LW. Valter Birsa, Club- Auxerre, (AWC) 23.

CAM. Nejc Pecnik, Club- Nacional (Portugal), (AWC) 24.

ST. Milivoje Novakovic, Club- Koln (Bundesliga), (AWC) 31.

ST. Zlatko Dedic, Club- Bochum, (AWC) 26.

Subs

GK. Aleksander Seliga, Club- Sparta Rotterdam, (AWC) 30.

GK. Jasmin Handanovic, Club- Mantova (Serie B), (AWC) 32.

RB. Branko Ilic, Club- Lokomotiv Moscow, (AWC) 27.

CB. Dejan Kelhar, Club- Cercle Brugge, (AWC) 26.

CB. Matej Mavric, Club- Tus Koblenz (Bundesliga), (AWC) 31.

LB. Elvedin Dzinic, Club- NK Maribor (Slovenia), (AWC) 24.

CDM. Darijan Matic, Club- Rapid Bucharest (Romania), (AWC) 27.

RW. Klemen Lavric, Club- SK Sturm Graz (Austria), (AWC) 28.

LM. Andraz Kim, Club- Wisla Krakow (Poland), (AWC) 25.

CAM. Milenko Acimovic, Club- FK Austria Wien (Austria), (AWC) 33.

ST. Tim Matavz, Club- Groningen, (AWC) 21.

ST. Dejan Kelhar, Club- Cercle Brugge, (AWC) 26.

The Coach

Slovenia are coached by compatriot Matjak Kek. Kek was appointed coach of the Slovenian national team at the beginning of 2007. Previously Kek has coached Slovenian club side Maribor and the Slovenian under 15 and 16 national teams.

Slovenia's strengths

Their strikers, up front Slovenia can between a group of players playing in some of Europe's best leagues. They also have a nice mix of youth and experience.

Slovenia's weakness

Slovenia are at their weakest in defence where they have to use a couple of players still playing in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.