Ivanović rejoins Serbia youngsters

Branislav Ivanović has been restored to the Serbia squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off games against Sweden.

Deal done
U21 coach Miroslav Djukić agreed a deal with senior counterpart Javier Clemente to allow the FC Lokomotiv Moskva defender to take a break from UEFA EURO 2008™ action to captain the underage side. Djukić has also called up two debutants, FK Bezanija right-back Antonio Rukavina and FK Napredak Kruševac defender Predrag Pavlović.

'I am optimistic'
"I expect two very interesting games," said Djukić. "Our opponents play typical Scandinavian football with lots of running and power, but they also have some quality individuals from top European clubs. I am optimistic. We showed great form during the group stage and I have good players." Serbia and Montenegro reached the finals of the previous two editions of the competition.

Serbia Under-21 squad
Goalkeepers: Damir Kahriman (FK Vojvodina), Igor Stefanović (FS Radnički Niš)

Defenders: Nemanja Rnić (FK Partizan), Zoran Rendulić (FK Borac), Duško Tošić (FC Sochaux-Montbéliard), Djordje Ivelja (OFK Beograd), Aleksandar Kolarov (OFK Beograd), Gojko Kačar (FK Vojvodina), Branislav Ivanović (FC Lokomotiv Moskva), Antonio Rukavina (FK Bezanija), Predrag Pavlović (FK Napredak Kruševac)

Midfielders: Nikola Drinčić (Gaziantepspor), Dejan Milovanović (FK Crvena Zvezda), Marko Perović (FK Crvena Zvezda), Miloš Krasić (PFC CSKA Moskva), Boško Janković (RCD Mallorca), Stefan Babović (OFK Beograd), Miroslav Radović (Legia Warszawa), Milan Smiljanić (FK Partizan).

Forwards: Djordje Rakić (OFK Beograd), Dragan Mrdja (SV Zulte Waregem).