World Cup Preview - Group D - Serbia

Nickname: "Beli Orlovi (White Eagles)"

FIFA Ranking: 16th

Manager: La Liga veteran Radi Antic

Game Schedule:
June 13 – Serbia v. Ghana (Pretoria, 10 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 18 – Serbia v. Germany (Port Elizabeth, 7:30 a.m., ESPN)
June 23 – Serbia v. Australia (Nelspruit, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2)

Prospects: Serbia compete in their first World Cup since severing ties with Montenegro in 2006. The White Eagles surprised everyone by qualifying top of their group, forcing France to playoff in that notorious fixture with Ireland. They could easily be a dark horse side in South Africa, but don't expect them to go that far. Their squad had some experience and quality but injuries and suspensions could expose a thin layer underneath.

Key Player: ManYoo's Nemanja Vidic is one of the finest center backs in Europe. He'll have to rediscover his best form to help Serbia get out of the group.

Youngster to watch: Stuttgart winger Zdravko Kuzmanović is pure quality.

Who Will Get the Goals: Valencia striker Nikola Žigić was top scorer in qualifiers.

Who Will Get the Cards: Wigan goalkeeper Vladimir Stojković likes to go diving in at times.

Funniest Name: Striker Dragan Mrđa sounds like he could moonlight as a Dirty South rapper.

Prediction: Flash in the pan. Some useful performances in the group stage followed by an ignominious exit to England in the Round of 16.