Yugoslavs seek rejuvination

Stojkovic and Milosevic disagree against the Dutch

Yugoslavia are looking to the future after their humiliating 6-1 defeat by Holland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2000.

Several key players now in the latter stages of their careers look set to bow out, including veteran playmaker Dragan Stojkovic.

The 35-year-old, who plays for Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan, said: "We started to play very well until the first goal from Holland.

"Just before that we had a great opportunity to score but Van der Sar made a great save. But after the first goal from Kluivert, the Dutch started to play very, very well."

The former Olympique Marseilles star said: "They absolutely deserved victory - we were in shock.

When asked if he would play again for Yugoslavia, Stojkovic replied: "I don't think so."

Enigmatic

Packed with players who ply their trade at top clubs, the Yugoslavs confirmed their reputation as one of European football's most enigmatic national sides at Euro 2000.

Coach Vujadin Boskov put a brave face on the Dutch thrashing, saying: "It was a unique performance by the home team."

Boskov pointed out that his side was weakened by injury and suspension, but he shouldered blame for failing to reorganise well.

Can Boskov rejuvinate Yugoslavia?

He moved Valencia's Miroslav Djukic to an unfamiliar left-back role, breaking up his strong central defensive partnership with Lazio's Sinisa Mihajlovic.

"I made a big mistake," Boskov said. "Nobody imposed himself on the Dutch players to stop the goals."

"With Djukic and Mihajlovic together, we would never have conceded six goals," the former Sampdoria boss admitted.

Media attention

The Yugoslavs at least managed to redeem themselves on the disciplinary front, having picked up three red and 12 yellow cards in the group stage.

Media attention in Yugoslavia is now focused on whether Boskov, 69, who was the oldest coach at Euro 2000, is the right man to rejuvinate national team.

Yugoslav daily Sporski Zurnal said: "Those in charge... must now elect a coach bold enough to give young players a chance. Otherwise, we will find ourselves on a road to nowhere."