Vugdalic heads Slovenian returnees

Slovenia have been aided by the return of key defender Muamer Vugdalic for the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Cyprus.

Midfield men back
Vugdalic, who plays his club football in Ukraine with FC Shakhtar Donetsk, missed out on last month’s 5-1 friendly defeat by Switzerland. However, the 25-year-old has returned to the fold in time for the visit of Cyprus on 2 April, along with midfield players Amir Karic and Mladen Rudonja.

Out for victory
"We will play at home and we will play to win," said Slovenia coach Bojan Prašnikar. "I am sure the players will be more motivated than they were in the friendly matches we played over the past months."

French set pace
Slovenia are fourth in Group 1, with three points from their first two games. With France seemingly running away with the section with three wins from three, the Slovenians appear to be battling for second place with the Cypriots, Israel and Malta.

Slovenia squad
Dabanovic, Simeunovic, Bulajic, Cipot , Knavs, Vugdalic, Acimovic, Ceh, Karic, Pavlin, Rudonja, Sukalo, Tavcar, Zahovic, Zlogar, Cimirotic, Kmetec, Rakovic, Siljak.