The Slovene national football team's qualification for the European Championships Euro 2000 was a dream achievement which provided for a surprise to football experts all over the world and has ensured for an euphoric atmosphere all over Slovenia as well.
The Slovene national football team finished 1998 ranked as the 88th team in the world on the FIFA standings. At the end of 1999 they rank 40th, which was an amazing rise of 48 places.
Srecko Katanec's team played 12 games last year, winning six, drawing three and losing three. They scored 19 goals and received 15. The most significant wins were those over the Ukraine 2:1 and Oman 7:0. The most important result for the team, however, was a draw against the Ukraine in the second leg of the qualifying game for the Euro 2000, which sent Slovenia into the European Championships for the first time in its history.
In December last year in Tokyo Slovenia was drawn in the first group and joined Yugoslavia, Russia, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the Faeroe Islands.
On 25 May Head Coach of Slovene national football team Srecko Katanec released the names of 22 players for final preparations before the European Championships.
The national football team qualification into Euro 2000 European
league, has caused a total football frenzy in the country.
Scottish Fans to Support Slovenia in Euro 2000
The Friday Club, the supporters of the Scottish team the Celtic of
Glasgow, announced they will officially sponsor the "mighty green
and white", as they named the Slovene national football team,
during the Euro 2000. The news was put on the Celtic supporters'
homepage www.fridayclub.co.uk after
choosing from all 16 participants of the championships and finally
deciding on Slovenia.
