Prašnikar plumps for experience

Slovenia coach Bojan Prašnikar has named an experienced 21-man squad for his side's two-legged UEFA EURO 2004™ play-off against Croatia this month.

'Unusual to experiment'
"The two matches will be played by those that have got us to the play-offs through their knowledge, dedication and desire," Prašnikar said. "It would be extremely unusual to experiment in such important matches. Sometimes, we need to think of the group, of how players know each other on and off the field, perhaps ahead of the temporary form of a player."

Mavric momentum
However, NK Olimpija Ljubljana's uncapped goalkeeper Borut Mavric was named in the squad as the third-choice goalkeeper following some impressive recent performances. "He's in good form and he has always been close to the squad," said Prašnikar, who confirmed he would add a fourth striker to the party later in the week "after Wednesday's round of league matches".

Potential problem
Six of Prašnikar's players face the prospect of missing the second leg in Ljubljana on 19 November should they collect a yellow card in Zagreb four days earlier. "We don't have a wide choice of players to compensate for problems like this," the coach warned. "However, I have some potential substitutes in case we need them after the first match."

Slovenia squad
Dabanovic, Simeunovic, Mavric, Bulajic, Cipot, Knavs, Cesar, Snofl, Vugdalic, Acimovic, Ceh, Kapic, Karic, Koren, Pavlin, Rudonja, Sešlar, Šukalo, Zahovic, Šiljak, Cimirotic.