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Paris - Slovenia might not arrive at the World Cup with a rich array of household names, but anyone who doubts their credentials would be well advised to consult Russia coach Guus Hiddink.
Russia were fully expected to secure a World Cup place after being drawn against Slovenia in the play-offs and a 2-1 victory in the first leg in Moscow served only to heighten expectations that they were destined for South Africa.
Slovenia, though, had other ideas and after Bochum striker Zlatko Dedic’s 44th-minute goal drew Matjaz Kek’s men level in the return leg in Maribor they dug deep to claim victory on away goals.
"We don’t have any big-name players but we do have a great spirit in the team and I think that will be our biggest strength," says captain Robert Koren, who recently celebrated promotion to the English Premier League with West Bromwich Albion.
"Off the field, we are all good friends, and I think you see that on the field too. We communicate very well, and that has helped to make us a very well-organised team.
"As players, we respect each other’s abilities, we trust in each other, and I think that was what got us through against teams like Russia during qualifying."
Slovenia reached the play-offs after finishing two points behind near neighbours Slovakia in European qualifying zone Group 3, conceding a miserly four goals in the process.
They will be appearing at their second World Cup since declaring independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, having exited at the group stage in Japan/South Korea in 2002 after three straight losses to Spain, South Africa and Paraguay.
Slovenia’s 2002 vintage boasted the talents of playmaker Zlatko Zahovic, the nation’s greatest ever player, but he was sent home in disgrace after clashing with coach Srecko Katanac in the aftermath of the defeat to Spain in the opening game.
Kek’s tenure as Slovenia coach has been an altogether more stable affair and although he cannot call on superstars like Zahovic, he has strength in key areas of his squad.
Samir Handanovic of Udinese has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in Serie A in recent seasons, while Koren is a well-regarded attacking midfielder and Cologne striker Milivoje Novakovic scored five times in qualifying.
One of the most intriguing members of the group is likely to be 19-year-old midfielder Rene Krhin, who made his debut for Italian powerhouses Inter Milan this season and is tipped for great things by his club coach Jose Mourinho.
"He is really professional with big ambitions, and I'm also very happy with his discipline and talent," said Mourinho of a player Inter signed from his hometown club Maribor at the age of 16.
Krhin, a multi-skilled central midfielder, made his international debut in a friendly against England at Wembley last September and he will hope to renew acquaintances with Fabio Capello’s side after Slovenia landed themselves alongside the 1966 champions in Group C.
The United States and Algeria complete the pool and although the two Anglophone countries are strong favourites to progress, Slovenia will have taken great heart from their qualification campaign and a subsequent rise to 23rd place in the FIFA world rankings.
Kek described Slovenia’s qualification as "a dream" for a country with a population of just two million and Auxerre forward Valter Birsa says they will approach their group phase games with nothing to fear.
"We have three matches against big teams, but the aim is to pick up as many points as possible and to finish ahead of them," he said.
Russia were fully expected to secure a World Cup place after being drawn against Slovenia in the play-offs and a 2-1 victory in the first leg in Moscow served only to heighten expectations that they were destined for South Africa.
Slovenia, though, had other ideas and after Bochum striker Zlatko Dedic’s 44th-minute goal drew Matjaz Kek’s men level in the return leg in Maribor they dug deep to claim victory on away goals.
"We don’t have any big-name players but we do have a great spirit in the team and I think that will be our biggest strength," says captain Robert Koren, who recently celebrated promotion to the English Premier League with West Bromwich Albion.
"Off the field, we are all good friends, and I think you see that on the field too. We communicate very well, and that has helped to make us a very well-organised team.
"As players, we respect each other’s abilities, we trust in each other, and I think that was what got us through against teams like Russia during qualifying."
Slovenia reached the play-offs after finishing two points behind near neighbours Slovakia in European qualifying zone Group 3, conceding a miserly four goals in the process.
They will be appearing at their second World Cup since declaring independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, having exited at the group stage in Japan/South Korea in 2002 after three straight losses to Spain, South Africa and Paraguay.
Slovenia’s 2002 vintage boasted the talents of playmaker Zlatko Zahovic, the nation’s greatest ever player, but he was sent home in disgrace after clashing with coach Srecko Katanac in the aftermath of the defeat to Spain in the opening game.
Kek’s tenure as Slovenia coach has been an altogether more stable affair and although he cannot call on superstars like Zahovic, he has strength in key areas of his squad.
Samir Handanovic of Udinese has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in Serie A in recent seasons, while Koren is a well-regarded attacking midfielder and Cologne striker Milivoje Novakovic scored five times in qualifying.
One of the most intriguing members of the group is likely to be 19-year-old midfielder Rene Krhin, who made his debut for Italian powerhouses Inter Milan this season and is tipped for great things by his club coach Jose Mourinho.
"He is really professional with big ambitions, and I'm also very happy with his discipline and talent," said Mourinho of a player Inter signed from his hometown club Maribor at the age of 16.
Krhin, a multi-skilled central midfielder, made his international debut in a friendly against England at Wembley last September and he will hope to renew acquaintances with Fabio Capello’s side after Slovenia landed themselves alongside the 1966 champions in Group C.
The United States and Algeria complete the pool and although the two Anglophone countries are strong favourites to progress, Slovenia will have taken great heart from their qualification campaign and a subsequent rise to 23rd place in the FIFA world rankings.
Kek described Slovenia’s qualification as "a dream" for a country with a population of just two million and Auxerre forward Valter Birsa says they will approach their group phase games with nothing to fear.
"We have three matches against big teams, but the aim is to pick up as many points as possible and to finish ahead of them," he said.
