Boskov demands 'derby' victory

Yugoslavia cannot afford any slip-ups against Slovenia

Yugoslav coach Vujadin Boskov has left his players in no doubt what is at stake against Group C opponents and neighbours Slovenia in Charleroi on Tuesday night.

"It would be a scandal if we lose against Slovenia," he said. "Anything but a victory would be a catastrophe.

"They are a small country of only 1.9 million people better known for tennis and skiing. They've done really well to get this far.

"But we have come here to win and beat every team. We didn't come here to lose."

Slovenia, who split from the former Yugoslavia after a brief war in 1991, are taking the game just as seriously.

"For us, the match against Yugoslavia is the most important at the tournament," said their coach Srecko Katanec. "The whole of Slovenia is watching us and expecting a good result."

Yugoslavia v Slovenia

The two countries have never played each other before

Slovenia qualified for Euro 2000 by edging out Ukraine 3-2 over two legs in a play-off

Yugoslavia only lost one of their ten qualifying matches, a 2-1 defeat by Ireland in Dublin.

Slovenia should not be underestimated.

They caused a major upset by beating Ukraine in the play-offs and possess a number of quality players, among them midfielder Zlatko Zahovic, who scored nine goals in 12 qualifying matches.

They have also fostered a great team spirit, similar in many respects to that generated by Croatia in the last World Cup.

Boskov won't tolerate defeat against Slovenia

In contrast, Yugoslavia, whose captain, Dragan Stojkovic, will retire once Euro 2000 is over, have endured a dreadful build-up to the competition.

The players criticised Boskov for taking them on a gruelling tour of Asia last month while several key players are only just returning from injury.

But they still boast an abundance of talent, namely Sinisa Mihajlovic, with the likes of Dejan Stankovic, Pedrag Mijatovic and Darko Kovacevic, all of whom play their football in Italy.

And that has prompted Boskov to proclaim: "I am convinced we can be champions.

"We have much better players than any other team in the finals. Our only problem is that they are based with foreign clubs and only get together at occasions such as this."

Slovenia are the clear underdogs, but Katanec is still confident his side can beat their neighbours.

Zahovic: Slovenia's big threat

"We have nothing to lose," he said. "I'll tell my players to go out there on the pitch and win the game, because they showed they have skills to beat any opponents, including Yugoslavia."

Unfortunately for Katanec, he will be without star defender Aleksander Knavs because of a thigh injury.

Zeljko Milinovic of Austrian LASK Linz is expected to take his place.