32 Teams in 32 Days: Slovenia

Each day between May 10 and the day before the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on June 11, FoxSoccer.com analyst Jamie Trecker will preview each of the 32 teams playing in South Africa and tell you everything you need to know about each nation represented at the world's greatest sporting event.

Country: Slovenia
Nickname: None

Slovenia is a pretty modern country as things go in Europe. A part of the former Yugoslavia, the idea of a Slovene state appears to have first popped up around the mid-1800s, when a short-lived political movement tried to gain autonomy from the Austrian Empire. The state emerged as an independent entity after the collapse of Yugoslavia, following the Ten-Day War, in 1991.

Nestled right next to Italy, Slovenia is both a NATO member and a part of European Union and euro zone. It has also been the most successful Slavic nation post-Communism, and enjoys outsized influence relative to its size.

The weird thing about Slovenia is that, despite being arguably the most successful post-Communist country in the Balkans, they get absolutely no recognition. They've got a gorgeous capital, Ljubljana, that doesn't make anyone's tourism list (it should be -- it has breathtaking Art Noveau architecture); incredible mountain vistas; a well-regarded winemaking industry; and it's pretty darn affordable. In fact, the only people that really pay attention to Slovenia for tourist reasons are spelunkers: Slovenia happens to have one of the great cave systems in Europe.

Perhaps more people would pay attention to it if their former major port, Trieste, were still under Slovene control (perhaps not).

Soccer is the second-biggest sport in Slovenia, with basketball arguably number one. Ice hockey is also a big sport.

PAST WORLD CUP SUCCESS: None. This is their second World Cup to date; in 2002 they lost three straight and went out in the first round.

REGIONAL SUCCESS: They made a cameo appearance in the 2000 European Championships, where they drew twice and lost once, going out in the first round.

LEAGUE OVERVIEW: The 10-team PrvaLiga is small and weak. Dominated by Olimpia and NK Maribor, the Slovene league used to be part of the bigger Yugoslav football league, albeit as a second-tier.

MANAGER: Matjaz Kek. A former player with exactly one national team cap (to be fair, Slovenia didn't exist until the end of his career, which began in 1979 with Maribor), Kek made his name with the Slovene youth teams.

KEY PLAYERS: The funny thing about Slovenia is that they could be the least-known group of players in the tournament. They shouldn’t be. Milivoje Novakovic (Koln) is the main scoring threat, and he's not bad, but he's pretty much it. Captain and midfielder Robert Koren (West Brom) made his name in Norway of all places, and is considered a gifted playmaker. But it's defense that really sets the Slovenes apart. They do not concede goals easily. Samir Handanovic (Udinese) plays every game, and has been a very tough keeper to beat; Miso Brecko (Koln) and Bojan Jokic (Chievo) combine with Marko Suler (Ghent) and Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble) to form a solid and experienced back four.

FIFA RANKINGS: 23rd. That's also its highest ranking ever. It's lowest was a dismal 134th, back in 1993.

FIRST ROUND OPPONENTS: England, USA, Algeria

HEAD TO HEAD AGAINST ALGERIA: Slovenia has never played Algeria.

HEAD TO HEAD AGAINST ENGLAND: England has played the Slovenes once, last year in a London friendly. England won out 2-1 in a performance the British media felt was less than impressive.

HEAD TO HEAD AGAINST USA: The Americans have never played Slovenia.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: The Slovenes upset heavily-favored Russia in the UEFA playoffs after coming in second to Slovakia ... whom they beat twice in qualifying.

PERCENTAGE CHANCE TO PROGRESS: 35%. Slovenia could easily become the second team out of this group.

TO WATCH: Slovenia is off the radar over here ... but it shouldn't be. Nearly all of its top players ply their trade with decent European teams, and even if the Slovenes lack a breakout star, they are a tough team to play. Anyone who expects them to be a cakewalk is dead wrong.

ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam), Jan Koprivec (Gallipoli)

Defenders: Bojan Jokic (Chievo), Marko Suler (Gent), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Matej Mavric-Rozic (Koblenz), Dejan Kelhar (Cercle Brugge), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor), Miso Brecko (FC Cologne), Aleksandar Rajcevic (Koper), Suad Filekovic (Maribor)

Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan), Mirnes Sisic (Giannina), Darjan Matic (Rapid Bucharest), Dare Vrsic (Koper), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem), Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa), Valter Birsa (Auxerre)

Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (FC Cologne), Zlatko Dedic (Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Gent), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional), Miran Burgic (AIK Stockholm), Tim Matavz (FC Groningen)

TOMORROW'S TEAM: Switzerland