90% of this team consists of players who were world champions under the age of 21. Therefore, they have the right to hope for a great result. This Serbian team is so strong that even they are not yet aware of their strength and quality. Forward Serbs.
@@Vickzq i don't know do u know. That happened in 2015 so players who won that now have around 27 years, but in this squad there are maybe 8-9 players from that squad
@@petar9308 Let's say your data is 100% correct. That means it's the same 'talent pool' missing 24 teams EUROs in 2020... and finishing behind Brazil and Switzerland in 2018. Although time changes, that didn't translate well from youth to mainteam... just like for Mexico and Nigeria always among best with U17.
@@Vickzq I never said they are good. I answered on @Micky statement that 90% of this team consist of those players from U20 WC 2015, and than i answered to you because ur comment seemed to me like you thought that U20 WC was recently just to tell you it was 7 years ago. From that team actually only Sergej Milinkovic Savic reached his full potential.
I’m from the USA 🇺🇸 and I predict something crazy - Serbia 🇷🇸 will be first in the group and afterwards take the World Cup . Wouldn’t it be crazy , such a little country ?🎉🎉🎉🎉good luck 🍀 to Serbia 🇷🇸
You are predicting based on the quality of the team, which is immense but ignoring the fact that the Balkan teams are prone to scandals and lack of discipline which holds them back to actually winning anything major - ever.
@@_freedomordeath_ You ruined your comment when you added "whole Russia" part... From my experience majority of Russians don't even know where Serbia is, and even if they do, they are not aware of people like you who romanticize the idea of Serbian and Russian brotherhood. As a fellow Serb I am telling you, your love towards Russia will be in most cases one-sided.
Serbia didn't have this quality in long time. Tough group. I wouldn't be suprised if Brazil spills some points. I don't know in what state Cameroon is, but Swiss and Serbs can play anybody. Will be interesting to see.
@@torrecillas999 Brazil didn't have to play North Macedonia. Europe is stacked and its hard to judge real state of Brazil and Argentina until WC starts.
@@torrecillas999 I think besides the usual top 10 nations in Europe the other European nations are improving alot and honestly are quite hard to beat. If you ask me the Euros is tougher to win than the World Cup.
@@Micfri300 I see you are a Juve fan lol... Keep in mind that Danilo, Bremer, Alek Sandro form the best defense in Serie A 😅... also, Brazil has such a potent attack that they can outscore Serbia if their defense doesn't work great.
When Serbian coach got a question how would you feel IF we win against Portugal, he replied : How you mean IF? He is so confident in this team, and I love it!
I would not mind Croatia making it far without any damage towards my country (Germany) and Serbia + Switzerland defeating Brazil like their lifes depend on it, so yeah: I would be pro eastern European countries this tournament.
I am Serbian and in my opinion the deciding match will be against Switzerland. We should be able to win against Cameroon, Brazil I'd say in best case draw and so in the end how we play against Switzerland will be very important. They did defeat us in the previous world cup but our team hasn't been this strong in a long time so everything is possible.
@@Micfri300 Yea, Serbia in particular always used available players for qualification. When it came to World Cup, certain players who didn't even play qualifiers got into the squad based on their reputation and seniority, even if they didn't give 100% on the pitch. This generation is a different, cooperative unit.
Fun fact: at the inaugural 1930 World Cup Yugoslav team that reached semifinals was consisted only of Serbian players (because Croatians boycotted WC since FIFA moved Yugoslav association head office from Zagreb to Belgrade). There is a good Serbian movie about that team and the trip to Uruguay (at that time it was quite an adventure) - "Montevideo, Bog te video!"
You failed to mention the national team coach, Dragan Stojković Piksi, the mastermind behind this team. Legend as a player, he slowly becomes more legendary as a national team coach.
Well as Yugoslavia(only Serbia and Montenegro) in 1998 we were in 1/8 lost to Netherlands Mijatovic missed the penalty in the last minute they say the bar is still shaking. ❤️
This group is tough, I will be rooting for Serbia, but anything is possible, I would not discount Cameroon, they definitely can surprise any of their opponents. Thx for the preview btw, good job!
Great video. Thanks "Micky" I didn't know that. As a former Ajax junior, I think Tadic is soooo underestimated. And Coach D Stoijkovic is SUPER intelligent. If Yugoslavia were unified (respect to all) they would have won the World Cup by now 100%. World Cup dark horse - underestimate them at your peril.
I disagree we'd win the WC by now but we'd definitely be a top 10 team on many ocassions in the world. We'd probably be Netherlands tier, able to challenge the best but never quite being the best ourselves on the world stage.
@@mr.thompson8223 I actually wish, that Brazil is just overrated this year and noone excepts them to perform badly, while they actually perform horribly like Germany in 2018, only getting 4 points in the group-phase as 3rd place (Defeat -> Serbia, Tie -> Switzerland, Win -> Cameroon), so everyone else in the Groups E-H can relief of not having a country in the K.O.-Phase, which gets ruined by him (I am speaking of Brazil).
@@apeacefulfriend2936 Well, I'm Argentinean so I also wish it lol. But I gotta be sincere; they' have been in great form in recent times and are one of the strong favorites to win the cup. And on the other hand: Serbia is actually overrated in my view, so.
@@mr.thompson8223 too bad I also want Argentina (your country) and Portugal to go out as soon as possible too. *Shrugs* Anyway, let's see how everyone will do.
As a Serb - we never have squad that play this good , there were better players but never played this good, also group is hard and in possible knockout we will play against portugal ( again and again and again ... ) or uruguay so it wont be easy BUT im really looking forward , IMO we can be last or win it , anything is possible
I've been watching all of these it's a really good countdown. I haven't even bothered looking at any other kind of preview because these cover everything so well
Got my World Cup wallchart! Means it really is almost time for the greatest sporting event in the world. Will be joining you for the watch-alongs, cant wait! Keep up the great vids Z :D
These players can perform on a big stage. They've proven it. Half that team were U20 world champions in 2015, and they beat Brazil in the final. I feel thats a very important fact that's been left out
Man I still remember that match. It was crazy how they shook the net in the 114th minute 2 to 1. I was flabbergasted and happy. Our country won the world cup damn.
I don't know where that Sergej Milinkovic Savic didn't deliver comment comes from. If he's absent, the middlefield crumbles, less ball control, no pressure on winning it back, easier acces and more chances against our shaky defence. Without him and his ball winning ability and playmaking we lose the connection to Tadić and Kostić, hense nk ball for either Mitrović and Vlahović. The dudes football intelligence and importance to the team is unbeliavable.
@@Hyde_Hill he should not be expected to be goalsorer in a team with 4-5 absolute attacking beasts, and a team with defense that is questionable at best, he is needed in the back and to carry the ball forward and pass, leave attacking to Mitrovic, Tadic, Vlahovic
I am.from.Paris 🇫🇷 n'd sorry fot my english.I.think that little Central Europe Nation Serbia full of talents should create THE GRAND SURPRISE ON LIVE IN QATAR.De Paris 🇫🇷 Good luck to Serbia🇷🇸 anyway.
This is by far the most challenging group or even "group of death" because even Cameroon isn't that weak for a pot 4 team. Serbia is definitely out for revenge against Switzerland, we have something to prove. The defence is also very good, they locked up Haaland the last time they played Norway. The atmosphere around the National team has never been better and Stojkovic is putting us on the right track.
@smooth sayer It probably should be but our teams pretty much weren't doing that for the past who knows how long. They'd do more partying and drinking than playing, then collapsing by the 2nd half cause they can't run any more and throwing games that way, even though they'd be dominating most 1st halfs
There is one important thing you didn't mentioned, Serbia won 2015 world cup for players under the age of 21 against Brazil, now 7 players from that team is playing in Qatar.
I think currently Serbia is way better than The Swiss. Comparing their starting 11, Switzerland is only better on goal because they have Yann Sommer and Gregor Kobel. Serbia will qualify to the knockouts for sure
@@Micfri300 Did Croatia have infighting aswell last World Cup? I don't know who's gonna win the WC. But Brazil not topping the group would be shocking.
@@Micfri300 It's not really about "infighting". Last WC, they changed the NT manager right before the tournament. An inexperienced piece of shit was put in place to manage us, instead of the guy who actually managed to get us qualified. Then there's corruption. Players that shouldn't be playing, were playing. While some of these problems still persist, they just won't be an issue this time round, as the team actually seems to be decided by the manager, and the manager is pretty good.
In the current team there is 8 players who won WC U -20 in New Zealand beating who ? Brasil . So omen is not so bad . Cmooooon Serbia !!!! Good preview , thanks for effort
I didn't know Serbia's record in the Euros and Worlds was so modest compared to Croatia. If you look at their present squad, but also their historic squads you would expect more. Maybe that will mean that they want it more than other countries, they will really want to prove that they can make it to the knock-out stage. Everything will be decided in that last group game against Switzerland (even if one of the two teams manage to take a draw of Brazil or suffer a draw against Cameroon)
Well it isn't a surprise when you look at it in context. We've only been playing as an independent team for 30ish years now and most of the 90s the country had been stuck in war and sanctions (although ironically our only independent apperance in the world cup knockouts was in 1998, same year as Croatia's first miracle run). After in the 2000s and onwards we've always had quality but our FA has been horribly corrupt so our manager choices often had to do with politics over football credentials and capabilities, thus affecting the team selection and tactics. So in a way we've been playing beneath our potential for 20 years, maybe that finally changes but with a tough group like this I am not getting my hopes up. I hope we at least make it to the Euros for a change now that they've expanded it to include half the fricking continent.
It's always like this with us my friend... We always put a lot of hope into our national team, because tehy are really great (especially this year) but, as always, they fail somehow... My fingers are crossed for my team and let the best team win!
You should not be negative......they. didnt have good tem for long time.....but as Piksi is a coach.....believe me, he controls them physically......but the way we will see....there is 32 teams
@@danicaborojevic9546 well, you are probably right. I support my team with all of my heart but I always keep my expectations low when it comes to football team even tho I'd love to make it to next round
I was always fascinated with their last names always ending in "IC" its so amazing. As a Swede I know Serbs are extremely proud nation so I think they will manage to get to at least quarter finals even more. Mitrovic, Tadic, Milinkovic Savic, Kostic, Vlahovic are top european players. Also to take a note: Serbia has 7m population but in the region of ex Yugoslavia theres about 10 million Serbs so they most likely are getting their talents from these other nations of ex Yugoslavia were Serbs live like for example Jovic came from Bosnia Herzegovina if I am correct. Anyway a great team, could be a Dark horse really. Oh yes a thing to NOTE about Serbia and EURO: The Government unofficially doesn't want Serbia in EURO at all because of their political relations with the EU members that recognized Kosovo.
On the "IĆ" thing, it is basically the Serbian version of the "SON" suffix in Nordic languages, meaning "son of". It also signifies the diminutive (smaller version) of a name, so something like Mitrović probably came about when someone named Mitro had a son, so he was "Mitro's little son".
im from serbia so i watched every game we played in qualifiers and in nations league and if you didnt, you have no idea how good pavlović is he pocketed sorloth in the game that we had to win to qualify for a league and absolutely oblidarated entire portugal attack when we needed a win to qualify for the world cup not to mention that both must win games were away, so i can tell you were playing the best we ever have
Serbia will not be coming to this tournament with their usual build a wall and defend mentality. That was from the Nemanja Vidić era. This time we are coming to attack and do so with some of the best talent in Europe. Play makers like Tadić and Kostić will pave the way for our finishers Mitrović and Vlahović.
We were bad at football for so many years... boring play style, dragging the ball, ever since Mijatovic's crossbar we haven't been the same. :/ It's been down hill from there on out. But now finally we have something to look forward to. :)
The thing is Mitrović and Vlahović are injured, and had not been playing the last couple of matches for their clubs. They are indeed invited to the squad, but if that thing breaks, then we're in for a rough time.
I think Vlahovic will not play as good as he can at WC because he is at the begining of his career and the most important thing for him is Juventus. So, his contribution will be small anyway, I honestly hope I am wrong. As for Mitrovic he is great but he will not play much because he will be covered by two players at least and he is not the best in assists. Jovic is slowly improving his form, but he is (still?) not at the level Mitrovic and Vlahovic. I think and I hope I am wrong that we will not see the best of this serbian team because of: 1. lack of motivation and keeping himself from injury in early stage of his career 2. injury and not having another player in the front. Thus, Serbia will both not progress from group stage nor we will find out how far The Eagles could go. I do not remember ANY important national team match decided by Vlahovic. Unlike in Juventus or Fiorentina. Simply put, many serbian players do not give 100 % of them like Croatia. Pavlovic does, Mitrovic does, Rafonjic does. But, Gudelj absolutely does not, Vlahovic does not...
@@AlexA-ls4gc nonsense and lame excuses before tournament even started, "Simply put, many serbian players do not give 100 % of them like Croatia." -Nonsense. Most Croats think and comment the same about Croatian players. It's just an excuse here in ex-yu after every bad result. And its absolute nonsense.
@@AlexA-ls4gc @Alex A I would have agreed with you earlier, but now, I think Piksi instilled good atmosphere and became a national cult and legend even now. I disagree with you because: 1. Vlahović can hugely increase his market value with one or two goals. Also, WC is bigger than Juventus, especially when Juve is Europa league. Also, if he really wanted to protect himself from furthering his injury, he wouldn't accept the invitation to the squad. Because he can worsen his injury even during the friendly with Bahrain of training. There is 99 problems with this squad, but motivation ain't one.
@@TheRealGreaves I am not worried about Tadić even for a bit because he is always giving his 100% for national squad and playing above his current form.
Offcourse, as a Serbian I would like for Serbia to suprise everyone. Now idk about other nations but we Serbians have something in our souls that push us forward, no matter how serious the situation is. And that's how we can do everything. So I think we can be good and amaze the world💪🔥❤️🇷🇸
Serbia beating Brazil or coming top of the group isn't as crazy as some may think. They've always produced talent but for the first time with so many in form attacking minded players If you like betting.. Serbia is the team to put your money on. They're an unpredictable hot and cold team.. but regardless of result.. high scoring matches almost guaranteed !!
The truly difficult task is do it multiple times in order to win the whole tournament, this is why despite the surprises that always happens in world cup the winner usually one the teams that were contenders since the beginning
@@GuilhermeSouza-ux4jq 100% agree ! Winning 7 games in a row with each consecutive game facing stronger opponents.. You need a quality starting team with depth on the bench and a good amount of luck!! A single penalty can send any team home
We can play good football against any team with healthy team. Brazil is first going to see that. Good luck to everyone and thanks for supporting our team.🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸
Serbia has always had a top class teams, but something was always missing. Team chemistry, manager with authority, media and fans support... now, we have it all. But i guess it's too soon for semis or final. From my standpoint, quarterfinal would be a huge success at this moment. 2026. or 2030. champions? Why not
