Serbia

Serbia Profile

TEAM FACTS:

 

Name: Serbia

Coach: Radomir Antiæ

Captain: Dejan Stankoviæ

Star players: Nemanja Vidic, Dejan Stankovic

Mascot Name:

Team nickname: Beli Orlovi (White Eagles)

Titles held: Won Gold at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome

Fifa ranking: 19

Serbia is a direct descendant of the Yugoslavian and Serbia and Montenegro teams. They played their first independent international on 26 August 2006 against Czech Republic and won 3-1.

The Yugoslavian team did not participate in any FIFA World Cups from 1930 to 2002. Serbia and Montenegro fell flat at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Gemany when they lost all three matches in a competitive group.

Serbia sport a new look and play in a red jersey rather than a blue one and are nicknamed Beli Orvoli (White Eagles).

The first phase of the European Zone qualifying was drawn and it was said that Serbia, Austria and Romania would be the ones competing for second place behind France. After establishing a four-point lead at the top of the group, they were dead set on retaining it. This was done by sheer hard work when they drew to France 1-1. The one match that would seal their qualification would be against Romania in Belgrade. They beat Romania in an emphatic fashion with a 5-0.

"We're thrilled to have booked a place in South Africa. We've proven ourselves to be a strong team. I am sure that we will play the best we can and not let our fans down at the World Cup," said the Serbia forward, Nikola Zigic (according to Fifa.com).

Widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world, Nemanja Vidic is the stone of the Serbian defense. He was named 2008/09 English Premier League’s player of the season for his fierce ability to tackle. Dejan Stankovic holds the midfield together with more than 10 years of international football experience while Marko Pantelic and Milan Javanovic lead the frontline with the attack.

Radomir Antic is a well traveled player and coach. He played for clubs like Partiza and also played in Turkey, Spain and England. However, he really made his mark on the football world when he started coaching. He has coached Zarafoza, Real Madrid and Oviedo before he landed at Atletico Madrid. He won both the Spanish La Liga and Copa del Reyin his first season with the club in 1995/96. When he was appointed as the Serbia coach in 2008, he had been out of the game for four years. It is his tactical flair and ability to maximise the players’ performances that will make the difference for the Serbians at this years World Cup. 

While in Nelson Mandela Bay for the match between Serbia and Germany on 18 June, take the time to indulge in the pleasure of being in a place that combines big city living with small town values:

 

See the sun set on a veld covered with flowers and wild plants, watch wild animals run free and experience the thrill of watching a shark pass your boat; all this can be done in the malaria free area of Nelson Mandela Bay. The Addo Elephant National Park, an hour’s drive from the city centre, caters for all animal lovers. Enjoy the Big 7, consisting of elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark, in their natural habitat in an open vehicle or guided walk.

 

If marine life fascinates you, then diving in Nelson Mandela Bay is a must. Beautiful reefs, interesting shipwrecks from years gone by, colourful soft coral species and the warm water of Algoa Bay will keep you in the water for hours. Surfing, wind surfing, jet skiing and sailing can also be enjoyed in the Bay.

 

A delicious steak covered in a creamy mushroom sauce, chicken and prawn curry, an espetada done in a red wine sauce, sushi, or a decadent piece of double chocolate cake; will satisfy the fussiest palate. Nelson Mandela Bay has the highest capita ratio of restaurants per population in South Africa and with all that variety; everyone will definitely find something to suite their taste.

 

A vibrant array of night clubs to dance the night away, pubs where you can enjoy a beer and a game of pool, and award-winning cocktail bars that serve anything from a banana split martini to bubblegum bazooka; make Nelson Mandela Bay a popular party destination.

 

For the art lover, there are many theatre shows, museums, and art galleries in and around the Bay. Cinemas that show both the new and the old invite all for time to escape to a world that fulfills all your dreams.

 

For more information on the above activities or more activities on offer in Nelson Mandela Bay contact Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism on +27 (0) 41 582 2575 or email info@nmbt.co.za.