Slovenian team is task for everyone. This team can never be compared with Croatia and Serbia, even with Georgia. But anyway, Slovenia played twice in the final stage of Mundial (2002 and 2010) and played once at European Championship (2000). Thanks to playoff they reached success in all three cases. They beat Ukraine (2:1, 1:1) in the playoff of Euro-2000 qualifying, then won over Romania (2:1, 1:1) at Mundial-2000 and at last they beat Russia - they lost 1:2 away and won 1:0 at home. This means that Slovenia often wins decisive matches.
Slovenia like a clock
Slovenia has another advantage. The country has a good economy and of course, everything works like a clock in football too. It is showed in their playing manner, their team working plus devotion and whim.
Slovenia was never distinguished with football tradition in former Yugoslav. Their best club is "Olimpija" Ljubljana. Slovenia became independent in 1992. Unlike, Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia it was not painful for Slovenia. Geographical location helped the country.
It is a small country at Adriatic Sea with 2 053 000 population. The country is member of NATO. A friendly match between Slovenia and Georgia will be held in coastal town Koper (23 000 population). Koper is near the border of Italy and people speak in Italian there. By the way, "Koper" club is current champion of the country.
Be careful, it is the 80th minute...
Now about the held matches between Slovenia and Georgia. First they played against each other in 1994. It was the tournament of Malta and Georgian team took the second place. Slovenia became champion. The team of Aleksandre Chivadze lost 1:0. At the 80th minute, Primoz Gliha scored a goal. That year was historical for Georgian football - in 1994 the team started playing in the qualifying rounds.
The next two matches was held in qualifying round of Euro-2000. Georgian team was not in a difficult group (Slovenia, Latvia, Norway, Greece and Albania) and after the voting people talked about taking the first place. The last stage was bitter...
Georgia and Slovenia held a match in March 1999 in Tbilisi. The team of Vladimir Gutsaev advanced with the goal of Zaza Janashia but the guests played better than Georgians in the second half. They equalized the score and were close to victory. Finally, 1:1. Mladen Rudonja was the best player of the match.
On September 4, 1999, Slovenia beat Georgia 2:1 in Ljubljana and guaranteed the second place and playoff. Johan Boskamp coached Georgian team. Georgian team had only one task in that match. They should not take the last place.
Georgians were scored a decisive goal by Zlatko Zahovic at the 80th minute. Before that, Milenko Acimovic and Shota Arveladze scored goals.
Zahovic is the best player and top scorer of the team of all the time (35 goals in 80 matches). He is director of Slovenian "Maribor" and last summer he visited Tbilisi when "Maribor" beat "Wit Georgia" (0:0 in Tbilisi and 3;1 in Slovenia) at the qualifying stage of Champions League. Zahovic is known for his optimistic statements. For example, last year he stated to Russian "Sport Express":
"Russian team? You do not have a chance against us. Slovenia will play at Mundial", - he was right.
Perhaps, Slovenia will play without a captain
As for current situation of Slovenian team - Slovenia is in the top of FIFA ranking. It is in the 15th place, Georgia is in the 75th place. So, in case of draw, "The Lelos" will advance in ranking. Slovenians were close to go through the 1/8 final of World Championship (they beat Algeria 1:0, played draw against USA and lost 0:1 against England). Northern Ireland beat Slovenia 0:1 in the first match of Euro-2012 qualifying. After that players of Matjaz Kek played draw (1:1) in Serbia, beat Faroe Islands 5:0 at home and won over Estonia 1:0 away.
Kek called up the strongest staff for the match against Georgia. He stated that it was not time for experiments. All Slovenian players are legionaries. Who is a leader in Slovenian team? Perhaps, number 10 Valter Birsa who is one of the best players of French "Auxerre".
Captain Robert Koren is playing in "Hull" of English Championship. Koren joined the team but perhaps, he cannot play. He has a foot injury and doctors will decide it.
Armin Bacinovic is dangerous in midfield. He is playing for Italian "Palermo" and one week ago he scored against "Milan". Milivoje Novakovic was the best in attack. Tim Matavz scored hat trick against Faroe Islands.
"The Lelos" arrived in Adriatic coast with experiment staff. Slovenian coach has 20 players and Ketsbaia has 21 players. 18 players will play in the match and the teams will have 6 substitutions.
The match will start at 23:45 Tbilisi time at "Bonifica" stadium. Mark Watb from Wales will referee the match.
Georgian Public Broadcasting will broadcast the match.
Here are the main staffs of Matjaz Kek and Temur Ketsbaia.
Slovenia
Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic ("Udinese", Italy), Jasmin Handanovic ("Empoli", Italy);
Defenders: Miso Brecko ("Koln", Germany), Bostjan Cezar, Bojan Jokic (both - "Chievo", Italy), Branko Ilic ("Lokomotive" Moscow, Russia), Matej Mavric ("Superfund", Austria), Marko Suler ("Gent", Belgium);
Midfielders: Armin Bacinovic, Josip Ilicic (both - "Palermo", Italy), Valter Birsa ("Auxerre", France), Andraž Kirm ("Wisla", Poland), Dalibor Stevanovič ("Vitesse", Holland), Robert Koren ("Hull", England), Aleksander Radosavljević ("Den Haag", Holland);
Forwards: Zlatko Dedič ("Bochum", Germany), Zlatan Ljubijankič ("Gent", Belgium), Milivoje Novaković ("Koln", Germany), Tim Matavž ("Groningen", Holland), Nejc Pečnik ("Nacional", Portugal).
Georgia
Goalkeepers: Giorgi Loria ("Dinamo"), Roin Kvaskhvadze ("Zestaponi")
Defenders: Kakha Kaladze ("Genoa", Italy), Zurab Khizanishvili ("Reading", England), Davit Kvirkvelia ("Rubin", Russia), Giorgi Khidesheli, Giorgi Oniani (both - "Zestaponi"), Levan Kakubava ("Dinamo"), Akaki Khubutia ("Gaz-Metan", Romania), Guram Kashia ("Vitesse", Holland).
Midfielders: Jano Ananidze ("Spartak", Russia), Gocha Khojava ("Volga", Russia), Aleksandre Koshkadze ("Dinamo"), Kakha Aladashvili ("Zestaponi"), Irakli Klimiashvili ("Wit Georgia"), Tornike Okriashvili ("Shakhtar", Ukraine), Jaba Kankava ("Dnipro", Ukraine), Sandro Guruli ("Karpaty", Ukraine).
Forwards: Mate Vatsadze ("Dinamo"), Nika Gelashvili ("Zestaponi"), Irakli Modebadze ("Olimpi").


Ilia Nanobashvili