Post by zgembo on Apr 21, 2008 14:06:41 GMT -5
Serbia to include Zigic, Stojkovic & Ivanovic
Author: B. Markovic | 17.04.2008 - 06:00
Nikola Zigic, Branislav Ivanovic and Vladimir Stojkovic have all been named in the 19-men Serbia Olympic squad for the friendly international against China on 23 April in Belgrade. Among the called-up players there are six players from foreign teams – Rajkovic, Kolarov, Smiljanic, Gulan, Petkovic and Rakic.
According to the Olympic Games football tournament regulations a team is allowed to select three players older than 23 years of age, while Serbia manager has opted for the seniors’ team trio made up of Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Stojkovic, Chelsea defender Ivanovic and Valencia striker Zigic.
- “A goalkeeper, a central defender and a striker make up the backbone of any team. That’s why I selected the three men for the only test before the Olympic tournament. Zigic, Stojkovic and Ivanovic are all accomplished players but have had little match practice this season. I can always count on them for the seniors’ team, so they can utilize the Olympic Games tournament to work on their shape,” Serbia manager Djukic elaborates on his selection.
Should anything change before the Games kick off, Djukic will be able to replace any of the three selected players with a maximum of three players over the age limit.
- “We can never be absolutely sure if players will be able to answer the call-up, as clubs are not obliged to release their players for the Olympic tournament. Stojkovic has told me he wants to play for the Olympic team, but it will all depend on where his career will be in three months’ time,” says Djukic, announcing that the representatives of European nations will use the draw procedure in China to insist that clubs be obliged to release the called-up players.
There are six players that have been named in the Serbia Olympic team who play for foreign sides – Rajkovic, Kolarov, Smiljanic, Gulan, Petkovic and Rakic.
- “I’ve talked to all of them and I was assured that they would all be there for the friendly in Belgrade against China. The FA have also made an effort to influence the players’ respective clubs and only some unforeseen circumstances could prevent them from answering the call-up. For instance, what could change things is if Rajkovic’s PSV Eindhoven fail to win Dutch title or if Valencia boss decides to start including Zigic in the team, although he has said the Serbian striker is currently not part of his plans,” says Djukic.
According to Djukic, the friendly game against China, coached by Serb Ratomir Dujkovic, will be the sole chance to test his team’s ability ahead of the Olympic Games, as the next time Djukic has all the players at his disposal will be a fortnight before the tournament starts.
- “The team will be assembled on 24 July for the pre-tournament preparations. Two days later we’re off to China, while we play our first game at the Olympic tournament on 7 August. The plan includes a couple of exhibition matches in the training camp.”
Serbia Olympic team will get together on Monday midday in the training base of Kovilovo.
The friendly international between Serbia and China is played at 4pm CET at OFK Beograd’s ground. Entrance is free.
www.blic.co.yu/sports.php?id=1984
Author: B. Markovic | 17.04.2008 - 06:00
Nikola Zigic, Branislav Ivanovic and Vladimir Stojkovic have all been named in the 19-men Serbia Olympic squad for the friendly international against China on 23 April in Belgrade. Among the called-up players there are six players from foreign teams – Rajkovic, Kolarov, Smiljanic, Gulan, Petkovic and Rakic.
According to the Olympic Games football tournament regulations a team is allowed to select three players older than 23 years of age, while Serbia manager has opted for the seniors’ team trio made up of Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Stojkovic, Chelsea defender Ivanovic and Valencia striker Zigic.
- “A goalkeeper, a central defender and a striker make up the backbone of any team. That’s why I selected the three men for the only test before the Olympic tournament. Zigic, Stojkovic and Ivanovic are all accomplished players but have had little match practice this season. I can always count on them for the seniors’ team, so they can utilize the Olympic Games tournament to work on their shape,” Serbia manager Djukic elaborates on his selection.
Should anything change before the Games kick off, Djukic will be able to replace any of the three selected players with a maximum of three players over the age limit.
- “We can never be absolutely sure if players will be able to answer the call-up, as clubs are not obliged to release their players for the Olympic tournament. Stojkovic has told me he wants to play for the Olympic team, but it will all depend on where his career will be in three months’ time,” says Djukic, announcing that the representatives of European nations will use the draw procedure in China to insist that clubs be obliged to release the called-up players.
There are six players that have been named in the Serbia Olympic team who play for foreign sides – Rajkovic, Kolarov, Smiljanic, Gulan, Petkovic and Rakic.
- “I’ve talked to all of them and I was assured that they would all be there for the friendly in Belgrade against China. The FA have also made an effort to influence the players’ respective clubs and only some unforeseen circumstances could prevent them from answering the call-up. For instance, what could change things is if Rajkovic’s PSV Eindhoven fail to win Dutch title or if Valencia boss decides to start including Zigic in the team, although he has said the Serbian striker is currently not part of his plans,” says Djukic.
According to Djukic, the friendly game against China, coached by Serb Ratomir Dujkovic, will be the sole chance to test his team’s ability ahead of the Olympic Games, as the next time Djukic has all the players at his disposal will be a fortnight before the tournament starts.
- “The team will be assembled on 24 July for the pre-tournament preparations. Two days later we’re off to China, while we play our first game at the Olympic tournament on 7 August. The plan includes a couple of exhibition matches in the training camp.”
Serbia Olympic team will get together on Monday midday in the training base of Kovilovo.
The friendly international between Serbia and China is played at 4pm CET at OFK Beograd’s ground. Entrance is free.
www.blic.co.yu/sports.php?id=1984