Following the break up of Yugoslavia which saw Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia each formed separate international football sides, Serbia and Montenegro continued to play together, known as The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and inheriting the ranking and all the achievements of the former combined Yugoslav side. However, due to United Nations sanctions following the fall-out from Civil War, they were banned from competing internationally, and missed both the 1994 World Cup, and the 1996 European Championships.
Yugoslavia are Twice Defeated by the Netherlands
The first competitive challenge for the new-look Yugoslavia was to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France. This looked to be a stiff task, as they were drawn against Spain and both halves of the former Czechoslovakia. The campaign began well with victories over group minnows Malta and the Faeroe Islands, and the momentum was maintained as Yugoslavia amassed seven wins from ten matches, losing only once away to group winners Spain. This set up a potentially tricky two-legged play-off against the once mighty Hungary. But after their long absence from competition Yugoslavia were not to be denied, they thrashed the Hungarians 7-1 in Budapest, before winning the home leg 5-0 to reach the World Cup Finals in emphatic style. In France Yugoslavia eased into the knock out stages with wins over Iran and the USA, only failing to top their group after they allowed Germany to come from two goals down to force a draw. However the last 16 saw them pitted against a strong Netherlands side, and they were edged out 2-1.
Beaten but unbowed, Yugoslavia were drawn for the first time against other members of the former republic for the Euro 2000 qualification tournament. However they were able to hold off the challenge of both Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to finish top of the group, with their only defeat coming away to the Republic of Ireland. The finals in Belgium and the Netherlands saw Yugoslavia up against yet another neighbour, as they faced Slovenia in their first match. The Slovenians raced into a 3-0 lead, but Yugoslavia hit back to earn a 3-3 draw. A 1-0 victory over Norway was then followed by another thriller, this time against Spain. The Yugoslavs led 3-2 with seconds remaining, but conceded twice to go down 4-3, and crept into the Quarter Finals in second place. The Netherlands were to prove their nemesis once again however, this time running out 6-1 winners.
Yugoslavia is Renamed Serbia and Montenegro
Yugoslavia then embarked on another qualifying odyssey, this time hoping to reach the 2002 World Cup. Once again they lost only one of ten matches played, this time at home to Russia, but four draws in their remaining nine games proved costly, as they were pipped to second place by Slovenia. During the 2004 European Championship qualifiers, Yugoslavia was renamed as Serbia and Montenegro. However the change in name failed to bring about a change in fortune, as they finished a lowly third in their group, despite home and away victories over runners-up Wales, and two creditable draws with group winners Italy. Poor results against Finland and Azerbaijan meant they failed to qualify. Serbia and Montenegro bounced back however on the road to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, despite being drawn to face Spain, Belgium and rivals Bosnia-Herzegovina, they remained unbeaten over ten qualifying matches, twice drawing with the Spanish, and sealing first place in the group with a victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. However the World Cup was an unhappy one for Serbia and Montenegro, as they were first beaten, yet again, by the Netherlands, before being crushed 6-0 by Argentina. They then lost 3-2 to the Ivory Coast, and returned home without a single point.
Serbia and Montenegro Go Their Separate Ways
That ill-fated tournament was the last for Serbia and Montenegro, as Montenegro ceded from its larger neighbour, and Serbia played the Euro 2008 qualifying tournament alone. Montenegro did not register in time to take part. Serbia were drawn in an eight team group, and remained unbeaten at home, but away defeats in Belgium and Kazakhstan saw them slip to third in the group behind Poland and Portugal.
Undaunted by this failure, Serbia launched their bid to reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Once again they were unbeaten at home and lost twice away, but this time the 22 points they amassed were enough to leave them on top of their group, consigning the much vaunted French side to the play offs. The 2010 qualifying trail was less happy for Montenegro, competing separately for the first time. They managed only one win from ten matches, at home to Georgia, and were unable to put any pressure on the top sides, even finishing below Cyprus in the group as Italy swept into the finals.
Jonathan Squirrell - Jon Squirrell is a freelance writer and 3-dimensional cartoonist currently living on Humberside. As well as writing for Suite 101, Jon ...
