World Cup CHECK |Serbia – outsiders want to surprise

The association justified the unusual measure with the rather unattractive style of play and Muslin's refusal to rely on up-and-coming young players like Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The new national coach Mladen Krstajic, on the other hand, obediently implemented the instructions and brought in Milinkovic-Savic and other youngsters who had sensationally won U2015 World Cup gold in 20 for his first international matches.

However, relying solely on young people will not be enough in Russia. That's why the team also has an experienced backbone with 33-year-old captain Branislav Ivanovic, 32-year-old winger Aleksandar Kolarov and 34-year-old goalie Vladimir Stojkovic. This trio took part in the last Serbian tournament participation, the 2010 World Cup. In South Africa it was time to say goodbye after the group stage with three points from three games. Four years before that, they were at the finals in Germany - back then as Serbia-Montenegro, but with only one player from Montenegro - where they were eliminated early as bottom of the group without a point. The 2014 World Cup and the 2012 and 2016 European Championships were clearly missed, which is why they even fell to 2015th place in the FIFA world rankings in August 66.

Successes of days gone by Since the association became independent in 2006, there have been no major triumphs. According to FIFA and UEFA resolutions, Serbia can take credit for Yugoslavia's successes: the multi-ethnic state was runner-up in Europe in 1960 and 1968 and reached the semi-finals twice (1930, 1962) and the quarter-finals three times (1954, 1958, 1990).

A similar hussar piece seems difficult to repeat this time. In a group with Brazil, Switzerland and Costa Rica, the Serbs are considered underdogs in the fight for the two promotion places. And if you do make it to the round of 16, defending champions Germany could be waiting there.

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World Cup CHECK |Serbia – outsiders want to surprise

Football World Cup participants Serbia are always good for a surprise, and not just on the pitch. Drawn from pot four in Austria's World Cup qualifying group D, the Balkan team won their ticket to Russia as first in the table - and fired team boss Slavoljub Muslin a few days later.

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