Setback no stress for Serbia

Serbia's victorious streak at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship might have been ended by England on Sunday, but Djordje Ivelja and Gojko Kačar are confident the Group B winners can bounce back when they play Belgium in the semi-finals.

Disappointing defeat
Goals from Leroy Lita and Matt Derbyshire were enough for England to defeat a side who had secured a place in the last four for the third finals running by beating Italy and the Czech Republic in their first two fixtures. Despite their disappointment, neither Ivelja nor Kačar are reading too much into that setback, the former saying: "We were short of experience against England. It was a very young team and we made a shaky start but gradually realised the England players aren't from another planet and we played much better then. Now we know we have a strong squad who are all worth a place in the team."

'Without fear'
"We knew we were already through so we could play without fear against England," added FK Vojvodina centre-back Kačar. "The team we fielded hadn't played together before and took time to settle, but we then began to improve. We got better through the match and, although we lost, we saw England weren't much better than us. I hope we can beat Belgium and that England win the other semi-final because that would give us a chance for revenge. Belgium are a very good team, collectively they're very strong, but if we give 100 per cent we will beat them."

'Secret wish'
Ivelja, who plays his club football with OFK Beograd, also believes a second meeting with England is on the cards if Serbia can overcome Belgium at the Gelredome, although he recognises that will be a stiff task in itself. "Belgium deserve to be in the semi-finals, they have a strong team. Our secret wish was to play them and now we'll get that chance. We have enough power to get through but we must play well. Belgium are a good team, [striker Kevin] Mirallas and the captain [Maarten] Martens are both excellent players, so it's going to be hard but we have enough confidence in our ability and I expect to get to the final."

Proud nation
Kačar exudes similar optimism and insists Serbia are not content with their achievements to date, explaining: "I'm satisfied because we've got into the last four. Our first two targets were to get into the Olympic Games and win a semi-final place and we've achieved both. Our nation can be proud of us. We have a lot of qualities but we lost 1-0 in a friendly with Belgium in Belgrade in March so we know what they can do. Their biggest strengths are that they always give 100 per cent and never give up. What will be important is which individuals concentrate more and who is more creative. That will be decisive."