Rakić answers Serbo-Montenegrin call

Serbia and Montenegro coach Dragomir Okuka has named his 22-man squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals this month in Portugal.

Vukelja injured
Eight days ago, Okuka named a 24-man provisional list but his preparations were affected by the withdrawal of FK Vojvodina forward Ljubiša Vukelja with a knee injury. The 22-year-old OFK Beograd front-man Djordje Rakić has replaced him, having yet to make an appearance at this level. Serbia and Montenegro will play in Group A against Germany, Portugal and France.

Relaxation needed
Okuka will have his full squad together on Tuesday when the foreign-based players join up with the rest of the team in Novi Sad. There will be one warm-up match against fourth division club FK Slavija on 18 May. "We do not need any more hard matches," said Okuka. "My players have had a very hard season and they need rest. We must save our power for the matches in Portugal."

Serbia and Montenegro squad
Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojković (FK Crvena Zvezda), Miroslav Vujadinović (FK Buducnost Podgorica). Aleksandar Jović (FK Zeta).

Defenders: Branislav Ivanović (FC Lokomotiv Moskva), Dusko Tosić (FC Sochaux-Montbéliard), Marko Lomić (FK Partizan), Milan Stepanov (Trabzonspor), Milan Bisevać (FK Crvena Zvezda), Nemanja Rnić (FK Partizan), Dusan Basta (FK Crvena Zvezda).

Midfielders: Simon Vukcević (FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast), Dejan Milovanović (FK Crvena Zvezda), Bosko Janković (FK Crvena Zvezda), Milos Krasić (PFC CSKA Moskva), Nenad Milijas (FK Crvena Zvezda), Stefan Babović (FK Partizan), Aleksandar Trisović (FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih), Ivan Todorović (FK Zeta), Igor Burzanović (FK Buducnost Podgorica).

Forwards: Mirko Vucinić (US Lecce), Milan Purović (FK Crvena Zvezda), Djordje Rakić (OFK Beograd).