Slovenia keep it in the family

Slovenia coach Brane Oblak has just one surprise in his 19-man selection for the team's opening UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in Bulgaria on 6 September.

Family tie
Goalkeeper Samir Handanovič has been omitted for the trip to Sofia as he will represent the Under-21s in a UEFA European Championship qualifier against France the previous day. Replacing the 22-year-old is his cousin Jasmin Handanovič, 28, who plays for FC Koper and is the only uncapped squad member. "We have some problems because Fabijan Cipot and Zlatan Ljubijankič are struggling with injury," said Oblak.

Slovenia squad
Goalkeepers: Jasmin Handanovič (FC Koper), Borut Mavrič (SpVgg Greuther Fürth).

Defenders: Bostjan Cesar (Olympique de Marseille), Fabijan Cipot (NK Maribor), Branko Ilič (NK Domžale), Bojan Jokič (NK Gorica), Aleksander Knavs (FC Salzburg), Matej Mavrič (Molde FK).

Midfielders: Milenko Acimovič (Al Ittihad), Nastja Čeh (FK Austria Wien), Andrej Komač (Djurgårdens IF FF), Robert Koren (Lillestrøm SK), Goran Sukalo (TuS Koblenz), Anton Zlogar (Anorthosis Famagusta FC).

Forwards: Valter Birsa (FC Sochaux-Montbéliard), Milivoje Novakovič (PFC Litex Lovech), Zlatan Ljubijankič (NK Domžale), Klemen Lavrič (MSV Duisburg), Borut Semler (FC Bayern München).