Matjaz Kek’s final, 23-man squad for Slovenia was announced Tuesday with no surprises amongst the seven names trimmed from the 30-man provisional squad.
Slovenia 23-Man, World Cup 2010 Roster Finalized: No Alarms, No Surprises
The Slovene coach, who orchestrated the country’s surprise win over Russia in the UEFA qualifying playoff, has omitted goalkeeper Jan Koprivec, defenders Dejan Kelhar and Aleksander Rajcevic, midfielders Dare Vrsic, Mirnes Sisic, Barijan Matic, and striker Miran Burgic.
The final roster bares only a couple differences from the teams that finished second to Slovakia in UEFA’s Group 2 and defeated Russia in November; specifically, two defenders from Kek’s former club - Maribor, in the Slovene first division.
In goal, Udinese’s Samir Handanovic may be the best goalkeeper in his group, with older cousin Jasmin Handanovic and Aleksander Seliga rounding out the `keeper corps.
The strong, organized defense is lead by Chievo defenders Bostjan Cesar and Bojan Jokic as well as Koln’s Miso Brecko. Also selected are Gent’s Marko Suler, TuS Koblenz’s Matej Mavric, Lokomotiv Moscow’s Branko Ilic, and Maribor pair Elvedin Dzinic and Suad Filekovic.
The midfield features captain Robert Koren in the wing, Larissa’s Aleksander Radosavljevic, as well as central midfield pair Andraz Kirm and Andrej Komac. The midfielders are rounded-out by Internazionale prospect Rene Khrin and Vitesse’s Dalibor Stevanovic.
The default striking duo in Kek’s 4-4-2 is Koln’s Milivoje Novakovic and Auxerre midfielder Valter Birsa, who plays a withdrawn role. They are joined by Bochum’s Zlatko Dedic, Gent’s Zlatan Ljubijankic, Nacional’s Najc Pecnik and Groningen’s Tim Matavz.
Slovenia opens group play in South Africa against Algeria, with both teams competing with England and the United States in Group C.
Final Roster
Goalkeepers
Handanovic, Jasmin (Mantova)
Handanovic, Samir (Udinese)
Seliga, Aleksander (Sparta Rotterdam)
Defenders
Bracko, Miso (Koln)
Cesar, Bostjan (Chievo)
Dzinic, Elvedin (Maribor)
Filekovic, Suad (Maribor)
Ilic, Branko (Lokomotic Moscow)
Jokic, Bojan (Chievo)
Mavric, Matej (TuS Koblenz)
Suler, Marko (Gent)
Midfielders
Birsa, Valter (Auxerre)
Khrin, Rene (Internazionale)
Kirm, Andra (Wisla Krakow)
Komac, Andrej (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Koren, Robert (West Bormwich Albion)
Radosavljevic, Aleksander (Larissa)
Stevanovic, Dalibor (Vitesse)
Forwards
Dedic, Zlatko (Bochum)
Ljunijankic, Zlatan (Gent)
Matavz, Tim (Groningen)
Novakovic, Milivoje (Kohn)
Pecnik, Nejc (Nacional)
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