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World Cup 2018: Serbia team profile

Serbia finished as Group D winners in European qualifying
Image: Serbia finished as Group D winners in European qualifying

From fixtures and fun facts to the key men, all you need to know about Serbia ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Manager: Mladen Krstajic

Star man: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - The 23-year-old Lazio midfielder is reportedly attracting interest from Europe's elite after impressing in Italy this season.

How they qualified: Group D winners in European qualifying, finishing two points clear of runners-up Republic of Ireland.

History: 11 appearances in total, eight as part of Yugoslavia from 1930 to 1990, two as Serbia and Montenegro in 1998 and 2006, before most recently featuring as Serbia in 2010. Reached the semi-finals in both 1930 and 1962.

Fun fact: Milorad Arsenijevic became the first person to play and manage at a World Cup, featuring for Yugoslavia in 1930 before taking charge in 1950.

Best World Cup moment: Serbia handed Germany their first group-stage defeat since 1986 when beating them 1-0 in 2010. Milan Jovanovic, who went on to join Liverpool that summer, scored the winner with a 35th-minute volley - their only shot on target all match.

Also See:

Player you've never heard of: Andrija Zivkovic - The 21-year-old featured in Serbia's U20 World Cup-winning side in 2015, and is now a regular for Benfica.

Kit: Home - red, Away - white.

Group E fixtures: Costa Rica (1pm, June 17, Samara), Switzerland (7pm, June 22, Kaliningrad), Brazil (7pm, June 27, Moscow)

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