Slovenia call on Handanovic
Thursday, November 3, 2005
Article summary
Samir Handanovic has been drafted into the Slovenia squad for the forthcoming UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off against Netherlands.
Article body
Second chance
The 21-year-old is a regular with the senior national team but after they failed to reach the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, he has been offered a second chance of reaching a major tournament by U21 coach Branko Zupan. But there is no place for Zlatko Dedič following the striker's public spat with Zupan in September's victory against Moldova. Slovenia, who have never appeared in the U21 Championship finals, face the Dutch in Celje on 13 November before travelling to Heerenveen for the second leg three days later.
Slovenia squad
Goalkeepers: Sebastijan Celofiga (NK Dravinja), Samir Handanovic (Treviso FC).
Defenders: Erdžan Beciri (NK Maribor), Damir Hadzic (FC Koper), Brako Ilič (NK Domžale), Bojan Jokic (NK Gorica), Dejan Kelhar (NK Publikum), Mitja Mörec (SK Sturm Graz), Luka Skrbina (FC Koper), Marko Suler (NK Gorica).
Midfielders: Saša Božicic (NK Maribor), Miso Brecko (FC Hansa Rostock), Darijan Matič (NK Domžale), Nejc Pečnik (NK Publikum), Dalibor Stevanovič (NK Domžale), Dejan Urbanc (NK Publikum), Luka Zinko (NK Bela Krajina).
Forwards: Valter Birsa (NK Gorica), Miran Burgic (NK Gorica), Zlatan Ljubijankič (NK Domžale), Dejan Robnik (NK Publikum), Mitja Zatkovic (NK Primorje).