SLOVENIA

THEY ARE:
They gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, gaining recognition in 1992.

AS A FOOTBALL NATION:
This is only the second time that they have qualified for the World Cup finals with the other time being in 2002 at the Japan/South Korea finals. They are another of the new footballing sides that have never won a game at the World Cup finals.

MY OWN EXPERIENCE:
Traditionally Slovenia have been one of those Eastern European teams that sit in qualification groups to be beaten 5-0 by the big nations and provide small victories for the smaller nations. Times they have a changed though.

IN 2010:
They are grouped with England, Algeria and the USA. This could well prove something of a deceptive group. In qualification they were runners up in Group 3 behind Slovakia before causing a shock by eliminating Russia on away goals in a bad tempered second leg in Russia.

FAMOUS PLAYERS:
Midfielder Robert Koren is at West Bromwich Albion (but has been released).

MOST OBVIOUS REFERENCE:
Their cuisine.

AWAY FROM FOOTBALL:
I read that their dish Butja Repa is made from lard and a pig’s head. Be afraid, be very afraid.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM SLOVENIA THAT I KNOW:
Quite possibly I work with one or two.

QUOTE FROM A SLOVENIAN:
Not likely.

DO I LIKE THEM:
I will not be siding with them when they play against England in Group C.

FINAL COMMENT:
They play in green so may well turn out to be something good.