Serbia pull off great escape

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Serbia have qualified for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship as an independent nation for the first time, but they will be looking to continue a rich tradition of success which stretches back to 1978 when they were inaugural winners under the flag of Yugoslavia. After a thrilling qualifying campaign the nation has taken new coach Miroslav Djukić's young side to heart and their results will be followed with much interest back home.

Serbia breezed through Group 3 with comfortable wins against Georgia (3-1) and Lithuania (2-0), but were knocked off their stride in the play-offs against Sweden. Serbia were defeated 3-0 in Novi Sad and looked to be on their way out. When it mattered most, though, Djukić's side responded in style, astonishingly winning 5-0 in Trollhattan to book their place in the finals. Early goals from Dragan Mrda and Boško Janković restored belief, two more from Stefan Babović either side of half-time put Serbia ahead in the tie for the first time then Miloš Krasić applied the finishing touch. Mission impossible had been accomplished.

Djukić likes to keep things simple. He usually starts in a 4-4-2 formation, but demands flexibility and can quickly switch to 4-5-1 or 4-3-3. He holds great confidence in goalkeeper Damir Kahriman and captain Branislav Ivanović. Ivanović can play right-back but has been paired with Duško Tošić in central defence this campaign. Antonio Rukavina plays on the right of defence with Aleksandar Kolarov on the left. Dejan Milovanović, playmaker Krasić, Babović and the defensive Milan Smiljanić make up the midfield. Janković partners Mrda up front though Janković enjoys a deep-lying role. Ivanović, Milovanović, Janković and Krasić all played in Germany in 2004 and Portugal last summer and nine of Djukić's players were part of the squad that reached the semi-finals last time round.

UEFA European Under-21 Championship record: winners 1978; runners-up 1990, 2004; semi-finalists 1980, 2006.

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