This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams. This blog was one of them. It was my Russia All-Time Team here. His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. His Spartak Moscow All-Time team entry of was published in October 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2017. His entry of the Dutch-German rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. He also copied many many of my blog entries.
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| Slovenia World Cup 2010 |
Yugslavia
Yugoslavia after break up
Yugoslavia World Cup 2018
Macedonia/Montenegro/Kosovo
Serbia , Croatia, Montenegro,
Northern Macedonia
Yugoslavia World Cup 1994
Bosnia and Herzegovina
In 2014, I create an all-time Yugoslavian team that featured players from all the former republics. Later I created an all-time team for Croatia and Serbia. Then, I also posted an all-time Yugoslavian team, excluding players from Croatia and Serbia. In 2019, I decided to create individual all-time team for Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both countries have qualified for the World Cup Finals after the breakup of Yugoslavia. My All-time Yugoslavian team, excluding players from Croatia and Serbia became Macedonia/Montenegro/Kosovo. I created Yugoslavia after break up All-Time team in March, 2022.
This is my all-time team for Slovenia. If there were an All-Time World Cup, this would be the 23 players I would bring to the tournament.
Team
GK: Samir Handanović (Slovenia)
From 2004, Samir Handanović was capped 81 times for Slovenia between 2004 and 2015. He went to the World Cup Finals in 2010. For club football, he was best remembered as a top keeper in Serie A. He played for Udinese and Inter Milan. He is one of only three non-Italian keepers to be named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year, winning the honor four times. He is nicknamed Batman due to his acrobatic saves. He was the Slovenian Footballer of the Year: 2009, 2011, 2012.
GK: Jan Oblak (Slovenia)
Jan Oblak made his debut for Olimpija Ljubljana in the 2009–10 season aged 16 before joining Benfica in 2010. Starting in 2014, he plays for Atletico Madrid. At the time of writing, he has won La Liga Zamora Trophy five times. He is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. At the international level, he became the first-choice goalkeeper of the national team after the international retirement of Samir Handanović at the end of 2015.
GK: Maksimilijan Mihelčič (Yugoslavia)
Maksimilijan Mihelčič played in the 1920's and the 1930's. In his club career, he played for ŽŠK Hermes, HŠK Građanski Zagreb and HSK Sparta. He played 18 times for Yugoslavia, which was known as the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. He competed at the 1928 Summer Olympics, but did not play any game. He skipped the first World Cup in Uruguay due to political issues.
RB/LB: Miso Brecko (Slovenia)
Miso Brecko started with Factor and Šmartno in Slovenia. In 2004 he joined Hamburger SV. He had loan spells with Hansa Rostock, FC Erzgebirge Aue. He played for FC Köln in 2008 to 2015. Then, he played 3 seasons with Koln. He also played for 1. FC Nürnberg between 2015 and 2018. He represented Slovenia at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and gained 77 international appearances.
RB/DF: Stanko Tavčar (Yugoslavia)
Stanko Tavčarwas the first Slovenian footballer that played in the Yugoslav national team. He spend his entire football career, from 1912 until 1922, playing as defender in ŠK Ilirija Ljubljana winning with them 3 Slovenian football championships. He played two matches for Yugoslav national team, both at the 1920 Summer Olympics tournament.
CB: Darko Milanič (Yugoslavia/Slovenia)
Darko Milanič joined Partizan at age 17 in 1986. In 1993, he moved to Sturm Graz, where he played there successfully for eight years. He earned five caps for Yugoslavia. He earned caps with them even after Slovenian independence. He was included by Yugoslavia to UEFA Euro 1992, but Yugoslavia was banned in that tournament. From 1992 to 2000, he played 42 times for Slovenia. Her captained his side at Euro 2000, including the first group stage game against Yugoslavia.
CB: Dragan Holcer (Yugoslavia)
Dragan Holcer was born in captivity in a Nazi prison camp to a Slovenian mother imprisoned there. His father was killed during the war as partisan fighter. He played 52 times for Yugoslavia and went to play in European Championship of 1968. He is one of Hajduk Split's greatest player. He also played for Stuttgart between 1975 and 1981 and Schalke 04 for a single season in Germany.
CB: Marko Elsner (Yugoslavia/Slovenia)
Marko Elsner played with Olimpija Ljubljana between 1977 and 1983. In 1983, he was brought by Red Star Belgrade. In 1987, he moved aboard. He had two spells with Nice while he played a single season with Austrian Bundesliga side Admira Wacker. He played 14 games for Yugoslavia between 1984 and 1988. He was a apart of the team at the 1984 Olympics. After the independence of Slovenia, he played twice for Slovenia.
CB: Bostjan Cesar (Slovenia)
Bostjan Cesar is Slovenia's most capped player of all time. He started his career with Dinamo Zagreb in 2000. He joined Marseille in 2005, but was unsuccessful, spending a season out on loan with West Bromwich Albion. He played with Grenoble Foot 38 for a season. Finally, he settled down with Chievo, where he played from 2010 to 2020. From 2003 to 2-18, he played for Slovenia. He was the first Slovenian player to reach 100 caps. He went to the 2010 World Cup Finals.
LB: Bojan Jokić (Slovenia)
Bojan Jokić made his debut in 2003 with Triglav Kranj, and moved to Gorica in 2005. He later played with Sochaux, Chievo, Villarreal, Nottingham Forest, and Ufa. He started playing for Slovenia in 2003. At the time of writing, he has earned 100 caps and will break Bostjan Cesar's all-time record soon. He appeared in the 2010 World Cup Finals. He appeared in all three matches during the tournament, as Slovenia were knocked out in the group stage.
DM: Aleš Čeh (Slovenia)
Yugoslavia World Cup 1994
Bosnia and Herzegovina
In 2014, I create an all-time Yugoslavian team that featured players from all the former republics. Later I created an all-time team for Croatia and Serbia. Then, I also posted an all-time Yugoslavian team, excluding players from Croatia and Serbia. In 2019, I decided to create individual all-time team for Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Both countries have qualified for the World Cup Finals after the breakup of Yugoslavia. My All-time Yugoslavian team, excluding players from Croatia and Serbia became Macedonia/Montenegro/Kosovo. I created Yugoslavia after break up All-Time team in March, 2022.
Between 1920 and 1991, Slovenia was a part of Yugoslavia, competing in football events under that affiliation. Following the country's independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, Slovenia played its inaugural official match in 1992. Since then, the Slovenian national team has actively participated in three significant football competitions. Notably, in 1999, Slovenia successfully qualified for the UEFA Euro 2000, showcasing their skills and determination on the international stage. Building on their achievements, Slovenia accomplished another remarkable feat two years later by securing a spot in the 2002 World Cup Finals. Impressively, the team remained undefeated throughout their entire qualifying campaign, highlighting their exceptional performance.
Although Slovenia fell short of qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, it is worth mentioning that they achieved a remarkable milestone during the campaign. They were the only team to defeat the eventual World Cup winners, Italy, demonstrating their strength and competitiveness. Slovenia's last qualification for a major tournament occurred in 2009 when they triumphed over Russia in a playoff, securing their place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Overall, Slovenia's journey in international football has been marked by significant milestones, including successful qualifications and notable victories against formidable opponents.
This is my all-time team for Slovenia. If there were an All-Time World Cup, this would be the 23 players I would bring to the tournament.
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| Slovenia Euro 2000 |
GK: Samir Handanović (Slovenia)
From 2004, Samir Handanović was capped 81 times for Slovenia between 2004 and 2015. He went to the World Cup Finals in 2010. For club football, he was best remembered as a top keeper in Serie A. He played for Udinese and Inter Milan. He is one of only three non-Italian keepers to be named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year, winning the honor four times. He is nicknamed Batman due to his acrobatic saves. He was the Slovenian Footballer of the Year: 2009, 2011, 2012.
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| Samir Handanović |
Jan Oblak made his debut for Olimpija Ljubljana in the 2009–10 season aged 16 before joining Benfica in 2010. Starting in 2014, he plays for Atletico Madrid. At the time of writing, he has won La Liga Zamora Trophy five times. He is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. At the international level, he became the first-choice goalkeeper of the national team after the international retirement of Samir Handanović at the end of 2015.
GK: Maksimilijan Mihelčič (Yugoslavia)
Maksimilijan Mihelčič played in the 1920's and the 1930's. In his club career, he played for ŽŠK Hermes, HŠK Građanski Zagreb and HSK Sparta. He played 18 times for Yugoslavia, which was known as the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. He competed at the 1928 Summer Olympics, but did not play any game. He skipped the first World Cup in Uruguay due to political issues.
RB/LB: Miso Brecko (Slovenia)
Miso Brecko started with Factor and Šmartno in Slovenia. In 2004 he joined Hamburger SV. He had loan spells with Hansa Rostock, FC Erzgebirge Aue. He played for FC Köln in 2008 to 2015. Then, he played 3 seasons with Koln. He also played for 1. FC Nürnberg between 2015 and 2018. He represented Slovenia at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and gained 77 international appearances.
RB/DF: Stanko Tavčar (Yugoslavia)
Stanko Tavčarwas the first Slovenian footballer that played in the Yugoslav national team. He spend his entire football career, from 1912 until 1922, playing as defender in ŠK Ilirija Ljubljana winning with them 3 Slovenian football championships. He played two matches for Yugoslav national team, both at the 1920 Summer Olympics tournament.
CB: Darko Milanič (Yugoslavia/Slovenia)
Darko Milanič joined Partizan at age 17 in 1986. In 1993, he moved to Sturm Graz, where he played there successfully for eight years. He earned five caps for Yugoslavia. He earned caps with them even after Slovenian independence. He was included by Yugoslavia to UEFA Euro 1992, but Yugoslavia was banned in that tournament. From 1992 to 2000, he played 42 times for Slovenia. Her captained his side at Euro 2000, including the first group stage game against Yugoslavia.
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| Darko Milanič |
Dragan Holcer was born in captivity in a Nazi prison camp to a Slovenian mother imprisoned there. His father was killed during the war as partisan fighter. He played 52 times for Yugoslavia and went to play in European Championship of 1968. He is one of Hajduk Split's greatest player. He also played for Stuttgart between 1975 and 1981 and Schalke 04 for a single season in Germany.
CB: Marko Elsner (Yugoslavia/Slovenia)
Marko Elsner played with Olimpija Ljubljana between 1977 and 1983. In 1983, he was brought by Red Star Belgrade. In 1987, he moved aboard. He had two spells with Nice while he played a single season with Austrian Bundesliga side Admira Wacker. He played 14 games for Yugoslavia between 1984 and 1988. He was a apart of the team at the 1984 Olympics. After the independence of Slovenia, he played twice for Slovenia.
CB: Bostjan Cesar (Slovenia)
Bostjan Cesar is Slovenia's most capped player of all time. He started his career with Dinamo Zagreb in 2000. He joined Marseille in 2005, but was unsuccessful, spending a season out on loan with West Bromwich Albion. He played with Grenoble Foot 38 for a season. Finally, he settled down with Chievo, where he played from 2010 to 2020. From 2003 to 2-18, he played for Slovenia. He was the first Slovenian player to reach 100 caps. He went to the 2010 World Cup Finals.
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| Bostjan Cesar |
Bojan Jokić made his debut in 2003 with Triglav Kranj, and moved to Gorica in 2005. He later played with Sochaux, Chievo, Villarreal, Nottingham Forest, and Ufa. He started playing for Slovenia in 2003. At the time of writing, he has earned 100 caps and will break Bostjan Cesar's all-time record soon. He appeared in the 2010 World Cup Finals. He appeared in all three matches during the tournament, as Slovenia were knocked out in the group stage.
DM: Aleš Čeh (Slovenia)
Ceh started with Olimpija Ljubljana. In 1992, he was transferred to Austrian 2nd division side Grazer AK. He helped them back to top-flight in 1995, became soon one of Austrians top-clubs again. He then played for Maribor until winter 2004, before he went back to Austria, this time for Second Division side LASK Linz. Čeh was capped 74 times and scored one goal for Slovenia. He was a participant at the Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002.
RW/FW: Danilo Popivoda (Yugoslavia)
Squad Explanation
DM: Srečko Katanec (Yugoslavia/Slovenia)
In 1988, Srečko Katanec joined VfB Stuttgart. This team reached UEFA Cup finals in 1989 and lost against Diego Maradona's Napoli. He stayed in Germany only one season. In 1989 he signed for Italian Sampdoria and already at his first season there he won European Cup Winners' Cup. In 1991, his Sampdoria won a "Scudetto", next year it reached Champions League finals and lost against FC Barcelona. He played for both Yugoslavia and Slovenia national teams.
CM: Robert Koren (Slovenia)
Robert Koren played for Dravograd and Celje in his home country, before transferring to Norwegian side Lillestrøm in 2004, where he played until 2007. Then, he played with West Bromwich Albion from 2007 to 2010. From 2010 to 2014, he was with Hull City. From 2003 to 2011, he earned 63 caps for Slovenia. He was the captain of their 2010 World Cup team.
LB/LM: Dzoni Novak (Yugoslavia/Slovenia)
Novak started his career playing at Olimpija in 1988. He played for FK Partizan, Fenerbahçe SK, Le Havre, CS Sedan, SpVgg Unterhaching and Olympiacos before retiring. He earned four caps for Yugoslavia. He was included by Yugoslavia with fellow Slovenian Darko Milanič on their Euro 1992 team. He switched to Slovenia, where he earned over 71 caps. He was a participant at Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup.
In 1988, Srečko Katanec joined VfB Stuttgart. This team reached UEFA Cup finals in 1989 and lost against Diego Maradona's Napoli. He stayed in Germany only one season. In 1989 he signed for Italian Sampdoria and already at his first season there he won European Cup Winners' Cup. In 1991, his Sampdoria won a "Scudetto", next year it reached Champions League finals and lost against FC Barcelona. He played for both Yugoslavia and Slovenia national teams.
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| Srečko Katanec |
Robert Koren played for Dravograd and Celje in his home country, before transferring to Norwegian side Lillestrøm in 2004, where he played until 2007. Then, he played with West Bromwich Albion from 2007 to 2010. From 2010 to 2014, he was with Hull City. From 2003 to 2011, he earned 63 caps for Slovenia. He was the captain of their 2010 World Cup team.
LB/LM: Dzoni Novak (Yugoslavia/Slovenia)
Novak started his career playing at Olimpija in 1988. He played for FK Partizan, Fenerbahçe SK, Le Havre, CS Sedan, SpVgg Unterhaching and Olympiacos before retiring. He earned four caps for Yugoslavia. He was included by Yugoslavia with fellow Slovenian Darko Milanič on their Euro 1992 team. He switched to Slovenia, where he earned over 71 caps. He was a participant at Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup.
AM/CM: Branko Oblak (Yugoslavia)
At home, Branko Oblak was known for his career with Olimpija in Yugoslavia. In 1975 he signed a two-year contract with Schalke 04 of the German Bundesliga for what was a world record fee for that season. He moved to Bayern Muinch two seasons later. He earned 46 caps for Yugoslavia. He played in the 1974 World Cup where he was selected into the team of the tournament. He also played in the 1976 European Championship hosted at home. He was Slovenia's UEFA Jubilee Player. |
| Branko Oblak |
Danilo Popivoda was capped 20 times for Yugoslavia in the 1970's. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1974 and the European Championship in 1976, where he scored a goal in a match against West Germany. For his club career, he played for Olimpija Ljubljana at home between 1975 and 1985 and Eintracht Braunschweig in Germany between 1975 and 1981. He was the 1974 Yugoslav First League top scorer.
AM/RW/LW: Valter Birsa (Slovenia)
Valter Birsa was played with Primorje and Gorica. In 2006, he signed for French club Sochaux. He then played for Auxerre, Genoa, Torino, Milan, etc before joining Chievo in 2015, where he played until 2019. He then joined Cagliari. He played 90 times for the Slovenia team between 2006 and 2018. He went to the 2010 World Cup Finals.
AM/RW/LW: Valter Birsa (Slovenia)
Valter Birsa was played with Primorje and Gorica. In 2006, he signed for French club Sochaux. He then played for Auxerre, Genoa, Torino, Milan, etc before joining Chievo in 2015, where he played until 2019. He then joined Cagliari. He played 90 times for the Slovenia team between 2006 and 2018. He went to the 2010 World Cup Finals.
LW/FW: Josip Pirmajer (Yugoslavia)
Josip Pirmajer played for Elan Srbobran and RFK Novi Sad. During the winter-break of the 1963–64 season, he was brought by FK Partizan, reaching the 1966 European Cup Final. During his spell in Partizan he got the record of having played 252 consecutive competitive matches. He also played with FK Vojvodina and abroad, in France, with Nîmes Olympique. Capped 4 times.
AM: Josip Iličić (Slovenia)
Josip Iličić played for SC Bonifika and Interblock before joining Maribor. From 2010 to 2013, he played for Palermo and from 2013 to 2017, with Fiorentina. Then, he joined Atalanta in 2017. He was on the Serie A Team of the Year: 2018–19. He is the first player to ever score four away goals in a Champions League knockout match. Since 2010, he played for the Slovenian national team. At the time of writing, he had over 79 caps.
Josip Pirmajer played for Elan Srbobran and RFK Novi Sad. During the winter-break of the 1963–64 season, he was brought by FK Partizan, reaching the 1966 European Cup Final. During his spell in Partizan he got the record of having played 252 consecutive competitive matches. He also played with FK Vojvodina and abroad, in France, with Nîmes Olympique. Capped 4 times.
AM: Josip Iličić (Slovenia)
Josip Iličić played for SC Bonifika and Interblock before joining Maribor. From 2010 to 2013, he played for Palermo and from 2013 to 2017, with Fiorentina. Then, he joined Atalanta in 2017. He was on the Serie A Team of the Year: 2018–19. He is the first player to ever score four away goals in a Champions League knockout match. Since 2010, he played for the Slovenian national team. At the time of writing, he had over 79 caps.
AM: Zlatko Zahovič (Slovenia)
Zahovic had 80 caps between 1992 and 2004. He is the all-time goal scorer for Slovenia with 35 goals. He was a key player for Slovenia when they qualified for Euro 2000 and the World Cup Finals in 2002. He played for FK Partizan. The best part of his club career was spent in Portugal where he played for both Porto and Benfica. He also played for Valencia, but not as successful. Nevertheless, he played in the Final of 2001 Champions League against Bayern Munich.
Zahovic had 80 caps between 1992 and 2004. He is the all-time goal scorer for Slovenia with 35 goals. He was a key player for Slovenia when they qualified for Euro 2000 and the World Cup Finals in 2002. He played for FK Partizan. The best part of his club career was spent in Portugal where he played for both Porto and Benfica. He also played for Valencia, but not as successful. Nevertheless, he played in the Final of 2001 Champions League against Bayern Munich.
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| Zlatko Zahovič |
ST: Edvard Hočevar (Yugoslavia)
Edvard Hočevar was born in 1926. He played with FK Partizan in the Yugoslav First League in the 1950. He also played with NK Olimpija ljubljana (named nk Odred at time) in the 1958–59 Yugoslav Second League. He played one match and scored once for the Yugoslav national team in a friendly match against Denmark played on 28 May 1950.
Edvard Hočevar was born in 1926. He played with FK Partizan in the Yugoslav First League in the 1950. He also played with NK Olimpija ljubljana (named nk Odred at time) in the 1958–59 Yugoslav Second League. He played one match and scored once for the Yugoslav national team in a friendly match against Denmark played on 28 May 1950.
ST: Ivan Toplak (Slovenia)
At the club level, Ivan Toplak started his career at NK Branik Maribor in Maribor, where his family moved in 1943 from Belgrade. He started with NK Olimpija Ljubljana in 1951. In 1954, Toplak left Olimpija for Red Star Belgrade. He played at Red Star for seven years, until 1961. On international club level, he won the Mitropa Cup in 1958. and Red Star Belgrade. He played once for Yugoslavia in 1956.
ST: Milivoje Novaković (Slovenia)
Milivoje Novaković is the Slovenian Footballer of the Year in 2008. He started with Olimpija, but was rejected for the senior club. He played in lower division of the Austrian league before starring in Bulgaria with Litex Lovech. From 2006 to 2014, he played with Koln. Then, he spent some time in Japan before a return to Slovenia with NK Maribor. From 2006 to 2017, he earned 80 caps, scoring over 30 goals for Slovenia. He is the second all-time leading scorer for his country.
At the club level, Ivan Toplak started his career at NK Branik Maribor in Maribor, where his family moved in 1943 from Belgrade. He started with NK Olimpija Ljubljana in 1951. In 1954, Toplak left Olimpija for Red Star Belgrade. He played at Red Star for seven years, until 1961. On international club level, he won the Mitropa Cup in 1958. and Red Star Belgrade. He played once for Yugoslavia in 1956.
ST: Milivoje Novaković (Slovenia)
Milivoje Novaković is the Slovenian Footballer of the Year in 2008. He started with Olimpija, but was rejected for the senior club. He played in lower division of the Austrian league before starring in Bulgaria with Litex Lovech. From 2006 to 2014, he played with Koln. Then, he spent some time in Japan before a return to Slovenia with NK Maribor. From 2006 to 2017, he earned 80 caps, scoring over 30 goals for Slovenia. He is the second all-time leading scorer for his country.
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| Milivoje Novaković |
Honorable Mention
Marko Simeunović, Herbert Vabič,Vid Belec, Amir Karic, Miran Pavlin, Andrej Komac, Branko Ilić, Amir Karic, Robert Englaro, Matjaž Kek, Adriano Fegic, Vili Ameršek, Mladen Kranjc, Vili Ameršek, Tomislav Prosen, Kevin Kampl, Marinko Galič, Željko Milinovič, Miran Pavlin, Aleksander Knavs, Andraž Kirm, Mladen Rudonja, Nastja Ceh, Milenko Acimovic, Primož Gliha, Sebastjan Cimirotic, Sašo Udovič, Zlatko Dedic.
Squad Explanation
-- I wanted to do a review of this Slovenia All-Time team immediately after I created Yugoslavia after breakup on March, 2022. So I did reviews all of their former republics around the same time so that they were all consistent with each team from this region. This team was updated on March, 2022, only two years after its creation in January, 2020.
-- Because ethnicity is a sensitive issue in the region, I use various criteria for eligibility. All the players from Yugoslavia era were selected through ethnicity and birth place. It was difficult for me to determine if the player should be on the team or how they feel about being on this team. The birth place became my main criteria for eligibility. Any player born here are entitled to be on this team. I apologised to any ill feeling that I might cause due to the political and sensitive nature of the situation in this country. The players after the collapse of Yugoslavia were based upon the national team they chose.
-- The best three Slovenian footballers in history were Branko Oblak, Srečko Katanec and Zlatko Zahović. Samir Handanović and Jan Oblak should belong to this list.
-- The best three Slovenian footballers in history were Branko Oblak, Srečko Katanec and Zlatko Zahović. Samir Handanović and Jan Oblak should belong to this list.
-- Slovenia qualified for their first major tournament after their independence in 2000 when they reached the Finals of Euro 2000. Zlatko Zahovič scored eight out of twelve team goals during the qualification. Two years later, they also qualified for the 2002 World Cup Finals. From that generation, I selected Zlatko Zahovič, Darko Milanic, Aleš Čeh and Dzoni Novak. Srečko Katanec was their manager.
-- Slovenia also qualified for the 2010 World Cup Finals. They won their first ever match in the World Cup Finals agains Algeria in 2010. Samir Handanović, Mišo Brečko, Boštjan Cesar, Robert Koren, Valter Birsa, Milivoje Novaković and Bojan Jokic made this all-time team from the 2010 World Cup team.
-- Slovenia also qualified for the 2010 World Cup Finals. They won their first ever match in the World Cup Finals agains Algeria in 2010. Samir Handanović, Mišo Brečko, Boštjan Cesar, Robert Koren, Valter Birsa, Milivoje Novaković and Bojan Jokic made this all-time team from the 2010 World Cup team.
-- Not many Slovenian player played for the national team under Yugoslavia. I found several all-time greats for Olimpija Ljubljana and Maribor who never played for Yugoslavia. I believed some of the uncapped players were as good as the ones selected here, but it was hard to judge them with limited information.
-- Vili Ameršek was an all-time great with Olimpija Ljubljana, but outside Yugoslavia, he was unknown because he was an uncapped player. Tomislav Prosen and Mladen Kranjc was were also all-time greats with Maribor, but they were also uncapped players.
-- The All-Time Dream team created by IFFHS was as followed Jan Oblak, Darko Milanič, Marko Elsner, Aleksander Knavs, Danilo Popivoda, Srečko Katanecl, Aleš Čeh, Branko Oblak. Džoni Novak and Zlatko Zahovič, FW Ivan Toplak
Goalkeepers
-- When Samir Handanović was playing in his peak, I thought he would become the best ever goalkeeper from the former Yugoslavia, but it didn't take long before the football world witnessed the rise of Jan Oblak. His impressive performances have earned him the prestigious Ricardo Zamora Award an unprecedented five times within a span of six years. Samir Handanović was one of four non-Italian goalkeepers to have won the Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year. The two of them are among the best from Europe in this generation. |
| Jan Oblak |
-- Marko Simeunović was voted as the second greatest goalkeeper for NK Maribor after Handanović. Herbert Vabič was remembered only by older NK Maribor fans. He was third place on the same poll. I also came upon Vid Belec. They made honourable mention.
--Zlatko Škorić was from Croatia while Ljubiša Dalanović was born in Serbia. They were famous goalkeepers for Olimpija Ljubljana.
Defenders
-- Stanko Tavčar was the first ever Slovenian footballer to represent the Yugoslavia. Notably, some sources describe his playing style as resembling that of a modern right wingback. I selected him for his historical role. Then, I took Miso Brecko as the backup rightback. Additionally, Branko Ilić deserves an honorable mention for his commendable achievement of earning 63 caps.
-- For the leftback position, I took Bojan Jokić who is second most capped player from Slovenia. I did not consider a second leftback. Dzoni Novak who was mainly a midfielder served as my backup leftback.
-- Dragan Holcer, Darko Milanič, Marko Elsner and Boštjan Cesar were my four central defenders.
-- Dragan Holcer was born in a Nazi concentration camp in Germany. His father was Slovenian. Although his roots may have suggested a Slovenian affiliation, his name frequently emerged among Croatia's finest defenders. He was one of Hajduk Split's greatest player. So I also selected him for both this team and my Croatia All-Time team. Darko Milanič was the captain of the Euro 2000 team. He retired by the time of the World Cup Finals in 2002. He was included by Yugoslavia national football team to UEFA Euro 1992, but Yugoslavia was banned due to the war in the region. I found a Slovenian source saying that Marko Elsner was one of top five greatest ever players from Slovenia. He also had a career in Nice.
-- Then, I chose Boštjan Cesar over Marinko Galič and Željko Milinovič. He is Slovenia's most capped player of all time.
-- As a result of the breakup of Yugoslavia and the ensuing war, Matjaž Kek's international career was limited to just one cap. Despite the unfairness of not being selected due to his lack of international experience, I made the decision to include the other four players in the team.
Midfielders
-- At the 1974 World Cup Finals, Branko Oblak and his teammate Danio Popivoda became the first Slovenians to play in a World Cup Finals. Oblak was also selected into the Team of the Tournament. He was unrelated to Jan Oblak. However, Branko was Jan Oblak's coach at Olimpija Ljubljana, where Branko gave Jan his debut at the age of 16.
-- Zlatko Zahovič was an essential member of the squad as they qualified for the first time ever to a European Championship and a World Cup in the early 2000's. He also had a standout career in Portugal as well as with Valencia. He only spent a season in Valencia, but he was featured in the Champions' league Final.
-- On the wings, Danilo Popivoda participated at the Euro 1976. He scored a goal against West Germany. Furthermore, I needed a right winger. He was born in Serbia, but he is listed as a Slovenian. I also took Josip Pirmajer because I needed a left winger. During his spell in Partizan he got the record of having played 252 consecutive competitive matches. Partizan also reached the Final of the 1966 European Cup with him on the lineup. I also looked into Andraž Kirm and Mladen Rudonja.
-- The original team I assembled in 2020 had an excess of attacking midfielders, including Branko Oblak, Zlatko Zahovic, Milenko Ačimovič, and Valter Birsa. Srečko Katanec stood as the sole defensive midfielder on the team. However, in 2022, I acknowledged the need to rectify the team's composition, specifically in the midfield department. Consequently, I made significant efforts to address this issue by focusing on bolstering the midfield. Firstly, I retained Dzoni Novak and Robert Koren, both renowned for their versatility as "two-way" midfielders. Subsequently, I decided to include Aleš Čeh, further enhancing the team's midfield strength and depth.
-- Robert Koren had an extremely successful career in England, becoming a key player at both West Bromwich Albion and Hull City during his seven-year spell in the country. However, he spent most of it in the lower division. Both Milenko Ačimovič and Valter Birsa seemed to have better club careers, but I did not need an extra attack midfielder. So I chose Koren who was more of a central midfielder. He was also the captain of the 2010 World Cup team.
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| Robert Koren |
-- As of 2022, I felt uncomfortable with my selection of Valter Birsa and Robert Koren over Milenko Ačimovič. Kevin Kampl deserved a consideration too. He had a long career in the Bundesliga. Both Robert Koren and Aleš Čeh spent a long period of their career playing in the lower division.
-- Ačimovič started his career with Železničar Ljubljana. From 1996 until 1998 he played for Olimpija and from 1998 to 2002, he plated Red Star Belgrade. He then spent two seasons with Tottenham Hotspur. Then, he was very successful with Lille and FK Austria Wien. He had 74 caps for Slovenia. He scored a goal from the distance against Ukraine the Euro 2000 Qualification playoff. He represented Slovenia at both Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002.
-- Tomislav Prosen is widely known as NK Maribor's greatest players. He was actually born in Sisak, modern day Croatia. Nevertheless, I put him on honourable mention.
-- Kevin Kampl was named the Slovenian Footballer of the Year award in both 2013 and 2014. Spending almost a decade in the Bundesliga, he showcased his skills and adaptability at the top level of German football. However, Kampl's relationship with the national team left much to be desired, resulting in a limited number of caps, amounting to just 28 appearances. While his abilities may have surpassed those of Robert Koren, I took into account his strained association with the national team when evaluating his overall contribution.
Forwards
-- Among the former republics of Yugoslavia, each has produced at least one notable striker. Edin Džeko stands as Bosnia and Herzegovina's standout striker, while Darko Pancev and Predrag Mijatović have made their mark for North Macedonia and Montenegro, respectively. Croatia and Serbia, of course, have a rich history of exceptional strikers. However, in the case of Slovenia, they have yet to produce an exceptional striker on the same level. Zlatko Zahovič is their all-time leading scorer.
-- Josip Iličić whom I considered to be their best forward was a secondary striker or attack midfielder. He is a Croatian born in present day Bosnia and Herzegovina, but he represented Slovenia in football. He was on the Serie A team of the year in the 2018-2019 season. He is currently starring for Atalanta which was doing fine in the Champions' League.
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| Josip Iličić |
-- Both Edvard Hočevar and Ivan Toplak had represented Yugoslavia in the 1950's, but each only had a single cap.
-- Despite being born in Serbia, Ivan Toplak relocated to Maribor at the age of 13 in 1943. Generally, I maintained strict eligibility criteria based on birthplace for all teams and players from the former Yugoslavia. However, due to Slovenia's lack of a strong striker, I made an exception for Toplak and included him in the team.
-- Mladen Kranjc was one of NK Maribor's greatest players, but outside of the club, he was not as famous as the other forwards in question. He also was born in Varaždin, present day Croatia, and played for Sloboda Varaždin before moving to NK Maribor. His eligibility was in question.
-- I took note of Primož Gliha, Sebastjan Cimirotic, Sašo Udovič, and Zlatko Dedic, all of whom deserve an honorable mention.
-- Freddi Bobic was born in Maribor, SFR Yugoslavia, to a Slovene father and a Croatian mother. Of course, being a German international, he does not belong here. I really wanted to make an exceptional case.
Formation
Josip Iličić is better on the right, but I prefer Danilo Popivoda over that side. Josip Pirmajer is the more natural left side attacker.
Popivoda is in starting XI but in honorable mention.
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