Slovenia take positive approach

By Martin Pavčnik & Danijel Lijovic

Having never beaten their neighbours Croatia, Slovenia have the perfect incentive to break their duck on Wednesday - a place in the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals.

Front-page news
A 1-1 draw in the first leg of their play-off on Saturday has only increased the fervour around a game that is already front-page news in both countries. Although a 0-0 scoreline would be enough for Slovenia to reach Portugal on away goals, they know that a first win against Croatia is their surest route to the finals. And there is one record from which they can take heart, as they have lost only once in Ljubljana in five years.

Striker suspended
However, Slovenia will be denied the services of key striker Ermin Šiljak through suspension after his booking in Zagreb. His equaliser 22 minutes into the first leg was his ninth goal of the qualifying campaign, three more than any other player. With Sebastjan Cimirotic also sidelined by an achilles injury, coach Bojan Prašnikar could turn to the experienced Zlatko Zahovic to lead the line.

Olic banned
A similar sanction deprives the visitors of Ivica Olic, whose goal against Bulgaria took Croatia into the play-offs. SL Benfica forward Tomislav Šokota has been called up, and may start alongside Dado Pršo, who put Croatia ahead on Saturday. Šokota, a club mate of Zahovic, said: "I talked a lot with Zlatko Zahovic about these two matches. He told me before the first game, 'It is going to end 1-1 in Zagreb and 0-0 in Ljubljana'. I hope his prophecy will not happen."

'Give our all'
Prašnikar, though, believes the hosts can secure qualification for a third consecutive major finals. "We respect our opponents - Croatia have a great team with good individuals," he said. "But our aim is clear and ambitious, and nobody can question our self-confidence. Not only that, but in Ljubljana we can count on fervent support from our fans." His first-choice goalkeeper, Marko Simeunovic, will miss out again with a shoulder problem, but the Slovenians are staying positive. Captain Miran Pavlin said: "We will give our all and I hope we will qualify."

Baric unimpressed
In less upbeat mood was Croatia coach Otto Baric. His team failed to make home advantage count, and he will be aware that Slovenia's two previous play-offs comprised 1-1 away draws and 2-1 home wins, although on both occasions Ljubljana staged the first game. Baric, indeed, was far from impressed by Saturday's performance.

Team changes
"I have watched the game three times," he said. "We made a lot of mistakes and we should not repeat them. Slovenia proved they have a good team, but we are still optimistic." Several changes to the first-choice lineup are mooted, with Dario Šimic, Mato Neretljak, Stjepan Tomas, Jerko Leko and Ivica Mornar all waiting to see if they retain their places. Milan Rapaic, Giovani Rosso and Darijo Srna have been tried out in training as potential midfield reinforcements.

Goalkeeper's warning
Failure does not bear thinking about for Croatia. Goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa admitted: "The first match in Zagreb was one of the worst performances of this generation. We cannot repeat that in Ljubljana."