UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: Serbia
UEFA Euro 2024 is just weeks away from kicking off in Germany. Over the next 17 days, we will be previewing each team that will be taking part in Europe’s biggest football tournament. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is Serbia.
Serbia has some of the best athletes in the world Novak Djokovic and Nikola Jokic, however, their football team has not looked great as of late. The “Оrlovi” (Eagles) have won just one of their last four matches leading into Euro 2024. That win came against Cyprus, a nation that has a single win since the start of 2023. Serbia made the 2022 World Cup but Euro 2024 will be a historic one for the nation.
Euro Appearances
Serbia has technically made the Euros five times before, but four of those came as members of Yugoslavia and the only other came as FR Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro in 2000. Since gaining its independence in 2006 the “Оrlovi” have yet to qualify making this a historic moment for the Balkan nation.
Best Finish at the Euros
With this being the first time Serbia has qualified, we have to look at its time as Yugoslavia for the nation’s best finish. Twice as Yugoslavia, they finished as runners-up at the Euros. In 1960, they lost to the Soviet Union 2-1 AET. Then in 1968, they lost to Italy 2-0 in a replay after the first meeting finished 1-1.
Key players
This is the golden generation of Serbian football with a strong attacking lineup. Leading the way is the nation’s all-time goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrović. The former Fulham and Newcastle striker has scored 57 goals for the “Оrlovi” which is 19 more than the next best. Mitrović led the way in Euro 2024 qualifying with five goals. Behind him will be Dušan Vlahović who plays his club football at Juventus and former Real Madrid signing Luka Jović. The former was Serbia’s second-best goalscorer in qualifying with three goals.
The captain of the team and Serbia’s all-time leading cap-getter is midfielder Dušan Tadić. The 35-year-old former Southampton and Ajax stud became the leader in caps in his last match which was his 106th appearance for the “Orlovi” breaking the tie with Branislav Ivanović. Defensively, Nemanja Gudelj has been a staple for Serbia having started all eight qualifiers in both midfield and defense. A youngster who has worked his way into the lineup is 23-year-old Strahinja Pavlović. The defender played in the majority of Serbia’s qualifying campaign and will look to continue his strong play with Red Bull Salzburg to Euro 2024.
Manager
The man tasked with leading Serbia at another major tournament is Dragan Stojković, who may have the best name for a manager at Euro 2024. Stojković led Serbia at the 2022 World Cup but will likely want more than a group-stage exit in Germany this summer. Since taking over on his birthday in 2021, Stojkovićhas guided Serbia to a 56.76 win percentage with 21 wins during his tenure.
Biggest Group Game – vs England on June 16
The first game for any team at a major tournament is a big deal but even more so for Serbia since it is their first-ever Euro match when they take on England. What a match to start with as well against one of the favorites to win Euro 2024. There is very little pressure on Serbia here and that could be beneficial, especially with players that have had success in the English Premier League in the past.
Prediction
Being in a group with two of the semifinalists from Euro 2020 sets up an uphill battle for Serbia. However, with their dangerous attacking threats, they look like a team that could very well sneak into the knockout stage as a top-ranked third-place team. I do see this happening. However, there is a chance that they would end up playing Portugal in the round of 16 and despite an aging team, I see the Portuguese being too much for The “Оrlovi” and sending them packing from Euro 2024 at this stage.
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