Considered by many to be the weakest of the 13 European teams at the World Cup, Slovenia rallied to qualify for the World Cup for the second time. Its 2-0 win at Slovakia on the last weekend of group play allowed it to advance to the European playoffs, where it upset Russia. The heroes? Nejc Pecnik with a key away goal late in Moscow and Zlatko Decic with the winner in the 1-0 victory at home.

Slovenia doesn't have any big-name players, but its players are spread across Europe, where they play in some of the toughest leagues.

SLOVENIA ROSTER
Goalkeepers
Samir Handanovic (Udinese)
Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova)
Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam)

Defenders
Miso Brecko (Cologne)
Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble)
Branko Ilic (FC Moscow)
Bojan Jokic (Sochaux)
Matej Rozic Mavric (Koblenz)
Marko Suler (Ghent)

Midfielders
Valter Birsa (Auxerre)
Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow)
Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion)
Rene Krhin (Inter Milan)
Aleksander Radosavljevic (Tom Tomsk)
Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem)
Anton Zlogar (Omonia Nicosia)

Forwards
Zlatko Dedic (VfL Bochum)
Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent)
Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne)
Nejc Pecnik (CD Nacional)