Slovenia coach in charge of fitness

Coach Srecko Katanec demands highest standards

Slovenia coach Srecko Katanec has refused to hire a fitness specialist to get his squad into peak condition ready for Euro 2000.

Katanec has revealed he would instead prefer to take responsibility for his players' fitness himself.

Slovenia have now begun preparations for their debut at a major football championship and some experts feel fitness might be the weak spot.

Srecko Katanec in action for Sampdoria in 1992

But Katanec, a retired player and at 37 the youngest coach among the 16 finalists, insists he is still as fit as ever and that his players will also be in perfect condition when the tournament gets underway.

In April, Slovenia lost narrowly in injury-time to world champions France 3-2, throwing away a 2-0 lead and prompting crictics to put the defeat down largely to fitness.

Slovenia are in Group C at Euro 2000 with Spain, Norway and Yugoslavia.