Group 9: Hopes hang on Helsinki

By Marcus Christenson

Three points are the only thing on Serbia and Montenegro striker Savo Milosevic's mind ahead of Saturday's UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Finland.

Changes aplenty
A lot has happened since the then 21-year-old FK Partizan striker made his international debut against Brazil in 1994. Milosevic has gone on to play for Aston Villa FC, Real Zaragoza, Parma AC and RCD Espanyol, earning another 69 caps, while his country has undergone unimaginable structural changes.

New identity
And the reconstruction seems never-ending. Milosevic and his teammates started off in Group 9 together with Italy, Wales, Finland and Azerbaijan under the name of Yugoslavia, but in February became Serbia and Montenegro.

Trailing leaders
Yet for Milosevic the only thing that matters is what the team achieve on the pitch. Dejan Savicevic's side trail group leaders Wales by seven points and second-placed Italy by two, albeit having played a game less than both. Victories against Finland and Azerbaijan next Wednesday, however, would lift them above Italy and to within a point of Wales - with home matches against both still to come.

'Extremely important games'
"We have two extremely important games coming up and what matters is to collect six points," he told uefa.com. "The name change hasn't meant a lot in practice. We were all born in a country called Yugoslavia but things change, it is a natural process. I don't feel any different or more proud to represent Serbia and Montenegro than Yugoslavia. I am just proud to represent my country."

Points dropped
Milosevic and his compatriots began their qualifying campaign with a draw against Italy and a 2-0 home win against Finland. However, in their first game as Serbia and Montenegro in February, they squandered a 2-0 lead against Azerbaijan and drew 2-2.

Bench role
"It was the lowest moment in decades for us and the highest point in their football history," said Milosevic, who is likely to start on the bench on Saturday, with Predrag Mijatovic and Darko Kovacevic in attack.

All is not lost
Despite that setback, the scorer of five goals at EURO 2000™ insists all is not lost. "We are in a difficult group, and Italy and Wales are obviously difficult opponents, but if we can remedy the failure against Azerbaijan and get back on track over the next two games we are certainly back in contention," he said.

Mihajlovic worry
Coach Savicevic spelt it out more starkly: "After the catastrophe against Azerbaijan we reached a situation where we cannot afford to drop any points." Siniša Mihajlovic's thigh injury has been Savicevic's main concern. Mihajlovic missed Tuesday's 2-1 friendly defeat by England with a muscle problem but will play in Helsinki. "It's a very important match and I have to play," he said.

Litmanen threat
Definitely out is Dejan Stefanovic of SBV Vitesse, injured against England. Savicevic knows it will not be easy in Helskinki. "Finland have impressed us," he said "They are very fast and have a dangerous strike force. The key man if Jari Litmanen who has full freedom in the field and is a real artist."

Strikers reunited
Litmanen will lead the line with Mikael Forssell, and Finland coach Antti Muurinen said: "It has been a while since they played together in a qualifier - we have sorely missed them." However, Muurinen is without injured goalkeeper Antti Niemi and midfield player Teemu Tainio.

Win or bust
The Finns have only three points from four matches and Muurinen insisted that it was now win or bust: "A draw would be disappointing for both teams so we'll be going out for victory. That probably means an open game and both teams will get their chances."

Additional reporting by Mikael Erävuori