Katanec calls for solid beginning

F.Y.R. Macedonia coach Srečko Katanec is hoping for a winning start to UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying after naming his squad to face Estonia.

Experienced squad
The match in Tallinn on 16 August will get Group E under way and, with the likes of England, Croatia and Russia to come, both teams are eager for an early three points. Katanec has picked an experienced party, with only FK Rabotnicki goalkeeper Tome Pacovski selected from the domestic championship. Confidence is high after two friendly wins in June against Ecuador and Turkey, 2-1 and 1-0 respectively. "I hope we can make a good start," said Katanec. "Estonia are a good team and they have a little advantage because the season in Estonia is already up and running."

F.Y.R. Macedonia squad
Goalkeepers: Jane Nikolovski (NK Slaven Koprivnica), Tome Pacovski (FK Rabotnicki).

Defenders: Goce Sedloski (SV Mattersburg), Igor Mitreski (FC Energie Cottbus), Nikolce Noveski (1. FSV Mainz 05), Aleksandar Vasoski (Eintracht Frankfurt), Robert Petrov (PFC CSKA Sofia), Vlade Lazarevski (Groclin Grodzisk Wielkopolski).

Midfielders: Igor Jancevski (Ethnikos Achnas FC), Velice Sumolikoski (Bursaspor), Vlatko Grozdanovski (AC Omonia), Darko Tasevski (FC Metalurh Zaporizhya), Artim Sakiri (Aalborg BK), Aleksandar Mitrevski (1. FC Köln).

Forwards: Goran Pandev (S.S. Lazio), Aco Stojkov (FK Partizan), Ilco Naumoski (SV Mattersburg), Goran Maznov (KSC Lokeren OV).