GroupC: Italy v. Serbia Preview

October 11th, 2010 | by: Marco |

Match Italy v. Serbia
Venue Stadio Luigi Ferraris
Time 20:50 GMT (02:45 P.M. EST)
Where Can we Watch it RAI International and ESPN 3

Italy Manager C. Prandelli - Serbia Manager V. Petrovic

Introduction Hot off the heals of a highly debatable match against Northern Ireland, the Azzurri return home for their first leg against a very tricky Serbia. This is likely to be Prandelli’s most significant test as manager of the National team thus far. Even though the Serbs are coming off a 3-1 drubbing to the Estonians at home, I’d be hard pressed if we see any remnants of the team that the Estonians spanked just 3 days ago. Serbian free kick specialist Dejan Stankovic has chimed in signalling that the Serbs are still reeling from the Estonian upset.
Now, I’ve been watching sports for well over 25 years now. Albeit, the first couple of years in my discourse were not spent watching but rather playing with my bright red fire truck in front of the television. To even consider the notion that the Serbs are so distraught over their loss that they’ll simply roll over for the Azzurri, would be a completely arrogant presumption. Prandelli must realize this as well. He’ll have his work cut out for him.

Here comes Pazzo

Italy v. Serbia: A Historical Analysis This clash of Adriatic titans has always been a difficult affair to call. In 2002 and 2003 over the course of two legs for the Euro 2004 Qualifiers, Italy and (then) Serbia and Montenegro played to two respective 1:1 draws in Belgrade and Naples. The last match these teams battled in was settled at a rowdy affair in Toronto during the summer of 2005. I say ‘rowdy’ because yours truly was in attendance for that match and when you stick a bunch of drunken serbs and drunken italians in a stadium with a sealed roof, temperatures begin to sore! Here’s some crude footage of the lone Azzurri goal on the night.
The difficulty for the Azzurri against this formidable opponent is the fact that Serbia are a big and tactically well organized unit. Over the years, the team has lacked a certain flashy edge, but with that lack, they’ve made up for it significantly in their defence first mentality. Although, you never know which Serbia will arrive on any given night. This team is a renowned Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde of the international game. On any given night they could either put together grand effort and beat just about anyone or show up as also rans – like they did against Estonia the other night.
The important thing to keep in mind is that against the Azzurri they just about always show up.

Italy Preview We didn’t look good in our last outing against Northern Ireland. So what cocktail has Prandelli conjured to retaliate against his critics. Initially it looked as though Prandelli would be considering the same 4-3-3 running order that was at the heart of a very neutral result against Northern Ireland @ Belfast. I still maintain that with such a formation we lacked any presence in the midfield. In fact during long stints in the game we were forced to resort to the dreaded ‘Long Ball’.
With such ideas festering and an initial lineup looking like: Zambrotta, Bonucci, Chiellini, Criscito, DeRossi, Pirlo, Mauri, Pazzini, Cassano, Borriello – I began to have some significant doubts regarding this azzurri team’s capabilities against the Serbians. Let me begin with this line up then we’ll move forward to the recent changes and developments in the Azzurri camp.

Italy Euro2012 Soccer Now, first and foremost, I am still in support of the Prandelli regime. I have hope things will change for the better and i have belief that Mr. Prandelli has the goodness of this team first and foremost on his mind. But when you look at the above grouping of players, you cannot help but think of one thing… Was Cannavaro the only name that has changed in the starting XI along that back line since the world cup. Zambrotta, Chiellini, Criscito and DeRossi were all participants in the 3 goals allowed against Slovakia. What merits this collective grouping of players for another outing, especially since that dismal result is still very fresh in my mind. Has Prandelli lost the plot this early into his tenure? If so, we’re in for a very long and bland two years. Now, let’s question the following, is Bonucci better than Cannavaro was last season? I would fathom a guess that he is, but, I have to say he isn’t by much. Juventus, this season have been helped not so much by Bonucci in defence, but rather by a resurgent Melo, and a far more tactically organized and tight knit system (among other things). Just a thought on the subject. But since this news broke out and spoiled my dinner, things have changed.

Now the starting XI is: Viviano; Zambrotta, Bonucci, Chiellini, Criscito; Marchisio, Pirlo, Palombo, Mauri; Pazzini, Cassano.

Viviano had a strong showing against Northern Ireland and thus merits the second start. Ideally, I’d rather Sirigu but, honestly, both are more than capable at this point. In defence, I don’t quite understand what brand of illegal substances Prandelli has induced to make the call and bench Cassani for Zambrotta. Since walking onto the pitch during the Ivory Coast exhibition in August, Cassani has been one of the brightest spots for the Azzurri. He’s induced stability in a position of which there was none during the world cup (until Maggio FINALLY got the nod). Perhaps Cassani received a knock, something which I haven’t uncovered in my reading. Originally, when Zambrotta’s name was called out by Prandelli, I thought, “hmmm… Okay, perhaps he’ll be using him in place of Molinaro in the LB position” Not in place of Italy’s current best RB. The remainder of the back line is understandable. Although, Gastaldello may make his azzurri debut for Bonucci tomorrow, but that is still under review at this time.

Three key features the back line will need to contend with tomorrow. The pace and skill of Krasic, the blazing shot of Captain Stankovic, and the souring height of Nikola Zigic (6 foot 7). Can our back line contend with these three ominous threats tomorrow? Although Zigic is like a stalkier version of Crouch, he is less mobile in my opinion, Chiellini might have arial issues in his match up, but I don’t think it’ll be anything more than clinical for our CB. The real trouble comes from Krasic and his pace down the flanks. Both Criscito and Zambrotta don’t have the pace to keep up with this individual, which is why I think Prandelli has opted for a four man midfield (in the absence of DeRossi). Chiellini will likely need to cover for the follies of Zambrotta and Criscito tomorrow. The important thing will be Bonucci. If he comes in and has a sloppy game, then we’ll be having a tough night. Krasic has firmly laid down the gauntlet by revealing how much he wants to beat us!

On the opposite side of the park, Cassano and Pazzini finally line up together. I have absolutely no qualms about this, and with the depth currently on our bench, I would guess that this is by far and away the best grouping of strikers we have. With that being said, I would like to see Floccari come off the bench at some point in the game tomorrow. Nothing bothers me more than a player getting the nod to play, only to be benched over the duration of the two qualifying matches. The bonus here is that Senior PEPE is not starting tomorrow. Hopefully, friday’s match was the last time we see him wearing Azzurro. Furthermore, with the lack of depth in the Serbian back line (Vidic is out due to suspension), I hazard a guess that we could see some productive work being completed up front.

Midfield. Saved the best for last. Marchisio, Pirlo, Palombo, Mauri will be the men charged with defending our territory in the middle of the park. As you all know, DeRossi has received a knock and will be unavailable for tomorrow’s match. This is an important development to say the least. Finally we’ll get to see how beneficial or detrimental De Rossi’s form has been for the Azzurri. I quite like this arrangement of players, although, I am not sure how they’ll line up. They could be spread three across with Marchisio – Palombo – Pirlo and Mauri playing in a trequartista position behind the two strikers – or replace Mauri with Pirlo moving forward. Perhaps Prandelli will opt for four across the board. Either way, I am happy with the amount of coverage he’s giving the midfield for this match.

prandelli595

From the mouth of Prandelli
“They are a technically strong team, we’ll have to keep our mistakes to a minimum. They have players with personality, and wounded pride, so they are dangerous. We have tremendous respect for Serbia. A win, as well as the three points, would have important psychological implications.” – On the subject of Serbia

“Yes, they have a great understanding. I hope to see a lot of good balls from Antonio for Pazzini, just as Giampaolo said he always expects when they play together, at the press conference at Coverciano.” – On the Cassano – Pazzini connection

“”We want to keep the right distance between the units. I thought seriously about playing with two centre-forwards (Borriello and Pazzini), then with the injury to De Rossi I changed my mind. There is no clone of Daniele when he is in form. He is a player who manages to play both defensively and attackingly, like few in Europe can.” – Adjustment to the midfield.
*For the record I completely agree with Prandelli’s assessment of DeRossi and his potential contributions to a team. but, the operative word is “on form” and at this point in history, DeRossi hasn’t been on form.

“The crowd at the Ferraris stadium can give us a hand. Coming to play here with a club team is always difficult, given the fervour of the home fans. We expect that will be an advantage.”

On a side note, We’ll have a review on tomorrow’s match up and running! (No Live Blog this time) Enjoy the game everyone, it should be a doozy!

The Prediction: Italy 0 – 0 Serbia.

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RomaDurs

NOOO PEPE IN THE LINEUP!!! ITS ABOUT TIME
zen

i'm too nervous to watch this game and opt not to watch until all is over! so you guys give me good news tomorrow, yeh? (i hope they play well)

FORZA AZZURRI.

(i have a good feeling about this starting line-up because i dont see no Pepe, yo!)
mikederob

i think this line up is as good as it could be with who he called up, apart from zambrotta on for cassani of course.
mind you…i would have gone for:

————-viviano
cassani-bonucci-chiellini-criscito
——palombo—
marchisio pirlo
—-cassano–
rossi—pazzini

i wonder what a different team we may have had if not for the u21 games and the host of injuries…im sure he would have taken, monto, balotelli and de silvestri along for starts…pepe was a panic choice for his pace i hope
MaurizioRoca

I'm liking this lineup other than Zambro over Cassani….. I hope the squad can put in a good performance. Ironic that Pepe wins our man of the match and then gets benched….lol…..
Sampath

be aware of the almighty Krasic!
mikederob

dont be silly zen…get it watched and feel the pain like everyone else
rosay

i was at the serbia-italy game in tdot also, it was amazin!!
Mike D

I was at the Toronto game as well. It's crazy that that was considered a “scrub” Italy team, but in the end alot of the players were on the '06 World Cup winning team. We also saw the historic event of Cristiano Lucarelli score his one and only Azzurri goal.
Mo_dudes

My Prediction: Italy 1 – 1 Serbia.

It is nice to see Italy playing in 4-4-2 formation much better in comparison to 4-3-3.

I am sorry to hear that De Rossi is injured, in the other hand I am glad to know that he will not play the game against Serbia, to me he is highly rated from coaches with the Azzurri, he is on-form with Roma but not with Azzurri, he is simply not an Azzurri material. De Rossi must be replaced by Ezequiel Schelotto / Mattia Mustacchio, they both have defensive & attacking capabilities.

I am also looking forward to see Azzurrini play Belarus for the decider, it should be an interesting game, I am expecting a tie or a courageous win for Azzurrini.

Class of 2010 – Casiragi boys will prove their worth and I hope that some of Serie A dum ass coaches will take a note of their talents and let them play regularly.

The talents should be on the pitch not at the bench daaaaaaaaa…

Just for note; I wonder what is in the mind of G. Rossi now a days?!!, the poor guy, the most on-form italian who plays abroad gets called up to play only for 5-10 minutes!! Do you think Marco that G. Rossi is biting his nails for not going with USA instead? I am really wondering. ciao

forza italia forever…
MrsShankly

You know who else it would be nice to see in the lineup? Balzaretti. That man chases a ball down like no other defender I can think of right now. But wait, he didn't even get the call up. Such a shame.

Of those who did get the call up, I'm also wishing Cassani and Sirigu were playing. I agree Viviano is very capable, I just think Sirigu is better.

So nervous to see if we can shut down Krasic & co…. Forza Azzurri!
Sinicropi

italy's U21 team getting pooped on….2-0 in under 5 min of play
mikederob

Shit! Let's hope they get one back! Rai is delaying coverage. Where u watching it?
Sinicropi

atdhe . net … still 0-2 but they playing a little better..
Gigi

Cassani dropped for zambrotta = disgusting. So both of Italys best lb/rb arent in the squad while some decrepit old pile of shit who will be 60 during the euros is. Prandelli is abotu to get douchebag status in my opinion already. I guess my rant might be considered OTT but it just pisses me off on another level that Balzaretti doesnt even get a look in so to drop cassani for zambro .. there is no reason or excuse .. its simply retarded.
Gigi

Bye the way this serbia team lost 3-1 at home to estonia. Anything other then 3pts should be considered a failure. Romania and Slovenia away wont be easy!
FoolOnTheHill94

serbia's juve contingent will win it for 'em,lol.jokes aside i actually hope italy wins cos CLAUDIO”IL PRINCIPINO”MARCHISIO may be starting,its been a long time since he done well for the azzuri,me thinks it was bulgaria in turin last year cant really remember,it will be an important game for him today,i think he will actually be pivotal for helping out criscito vs krasic,and thus also taking some responsibility off chiellini
rosay

does anyone have the italian roster back from 2005, when lippi took his squadra to canada and played in tdot and i think sumwhere in the states, i'm just curious on who was on that team, i remember peruzzi was in net, oddo was there, and of course lucarelli, but thats all i remember, help would be much appreciated
FoolOnTheHill94

** yeah but they(serbia)proved at the WC that they're a yo-yo team,they lost to ghana on their first match but were clearly the better team against germany and rightfully took all 3pts against the krauts,while ghana are a very good team,it would be downright silly as to even suggest that they're as good as the germans.so while if italy wanna have their EURO '12 credentials taken seriously the should beat the serbs,it is by no means a given or as you put it “anything other than 3 pts should be considered a failure”.

*i meant to put at the start of this post as”i respectfully disagree with your view”
Bashar_ASR

It's not over the top. I agree 100%.
Pepe

I've been saying it for a while but it must happen now (and it will anyway), Casiraghi's balls need to be delivered to me on a silver platter. Only the world's biggest buffoon could fail to qualify with that squad. I literally feel sick right now, that team should be thrashing teams like Belarus, it's a disgusting disgrace. I am more angry with this than Italy at SA.
masonio

Azzurini lose 3-0 today to lose 3-2 on aggregate in their playoff vs Belarus. Two quick goals in the first five minutes and the winner was at '6 of extra time.
CIcero

azzurrini lose in overtime, i'm not sure if the third goal was one of the nicest assists i've ever seen, or … complete luck. Ranocchia should just be flown to Genoa right now to take Bonucci's place, the kid is sick. Casiraghi had him playing as a striker for the final 15 and he nearly netted the winning goal with 2 minutes to go. Didn't happen. Surely this has to be the end for Casiraghi, he couldn't win shit with players like Rossi, Giovinco, or Balotelli. Fabbrini is also one to watch. looking forward to seeing if we can control the speed of krasic on the outside, i dont think zambro was a crazy call up, but idk how he is replacing cassani, put him on the left damn, nonetheless, forza italia
Pepe

P.S. Santon had an absolute shocker in that match. Obviously Mannone should never wear any Italy shirt again too but I could have told you that before he got a single U-21 cap…
Tifozi83

I am very sad with Azzurini's exit I am trying to find something good in this. Maybe players like Rannochia, Santon, De silvestri etc can step in the senior team now, without having U21 team's business in mind. What do you think?
Gigi

I know its not a given .. with this team its far from a given. But it should be considered a failure nto to win our home games. Especially since we are following up a 0-0 draw with a pile of crap int team like northern ireland.

Serbia have good players but got tore apart by a shit team and are not in form .. if we cant take the 3 points i do consider it a failure.
Tottigol

I was wrong. Ranocchia doesn't need anymore time. He needs to be in our senior squad NOW!!!!
Marco

I completely agree with the CASIRAGHI assessment. He had a quality team @ the euros in 2009, and couldn't win, now, they seem to have difficulty with every level of competition.
MaurizioRoca

Norther Island tied with F. Islands!!! That is a great result for us but also annoying that we couldn't beat a rather ordinary Irish team…..
Marco

I feel a little sick inside.
Marco

Game is about to begin. Let's hope for a very positive result!
Gigi

Just goes to show how crap we were.
MaurizioRoca

Can you guys post a good link for livestream…..
Mikey P

What a mess!
Mivigliotti

What isgoingon with these Serbian fans
http://www.bari.theoffisde.com Mikey P

I wish my Italian was better. Seems like a shit show in Genoa right now
Mikey P

Oh boy. This if getting ugly. Police on the pitch
Gigi

Stupid fucking fans .. prick in the black shirt with his face covered .. fall off and get beaten by the polizia .. i hate these pricks tha truin our game.
MaurizioRoca

Guys does anyone have a good link. I can't find one?
Ducati5758

yes link please…. atdhe is not working
Gigi

Just unleash polizia on their dumbasses get this shit over with.
Kilo15

Goddamn Serbs. It's a damn game!! Let me enjoy it you bastards!
http://www.bari.theoffside.com Mikey P

How did this all start?
masonio

Where's our live blog!? =P
jem

try firstrow[dot]net for links to the game.
Mivigliotti

How does this shit happen why not arrest the guys doingthis whats the issue
Ducati5758

ok atdhe works now. someone want to fill me in on what the fuck happened??
Juan Montoya Novielli

suspended
Gigi

Serbs brought their regular hooligan element. Some fat dick climbing all over the stadium etc etc
Ducati5758

what happened??? I just started watching
Rossoneri Ron

Here's a solution…clear the idiots out of the stadium and get the game going
jgrif33

filthy serbs… probably the first time they've seen running water.
Rinaldo2882

Why was Claudio Gentile fired from the U-21 squad? Gentile's Azzurrini never knew how to lose!
Ducati5758

wow…. they needto unleash the police into the stands and have them beat the shit out of those terrorists
Juan Montoya Novielli

mother fucking animals!
jed

the game hasn't started yet!?!
Mikey P

I Love it!!!

Whistle the shit out of their anthem!!!
jgrif33

I really hope we destroy them now. I hate this hooligan trash
Mikey P

now that is an anthem!!!!

FORZA AZZURRIIIIII!!!

Seems like a good atmpshere from the Italian contingent in Genoa
Ducati5758

That's right, fuck the Serbin anthem. I feel bad for their players, but if we don't win now I'm going to be pissed. This game just got so much more important!
Mikey P

great lineup for Italia, minus Cassani being on the bench, everything other position is solid
Gio

excellent post Marco. sometimes it seems like i am listening to myself talking.

what a freeking mess.

hard to believe they are going to play

anybody hear if this was a demonstration about Kosovo?
masonio

ITALIA
Gigi

Crowd is gonan be hella hostile .. well done serb fans lol
http://twitter.com/AiCCarboni Joseph Boccella

I wish it was that easy. Then they'll just continue their bullshit outside of the stadium. What a shame.
Aldo

any way one of us can get a bit of a live chat thing going? anyone know any sites?
Mikey P

I have a feeling this game will be abandoned. Fuckin dirtbags throwing flares on the pitch.
Rinaldo2882

ridiculous.
Beppe

link pleaseeeeeeee
Regalith

sop://broker.sopcast.com:3912/74750
MaurizioRoca

If the game is abandoned do Italy get 3 points?
Mikey P

Pretty sad. These dirtbags injured their own 'keeper on the team bus before the match. What a disgrace
MaurizioRoca

I forget international rules in these matters…..
masonio

What are the black arm bands for?
Mikey P

Che virgogna!!! I knew this would happen
Ducati5758

At least the Italians are staying classy
agiamba

4 Italy soldiers who died in Afghanistan this week. There was supposed to be 4 minutes of silence..but, yeah. I think they attempted to get 4 seconds.
Regalith

Postponed!
masonio

Thanks, Aaron. What a shame.
masonio

Thanks, Aaron. What a shame.
Tito

well, they weren't so classy before the game…

It is reported the fans threw rocks and fireworks at the team bus, hitting goalkeeper Stojkovic. He was injured and therefore not even on the bench for the game.
Inside the stadium the problems deteriorated, as hooligans in ski masks climbed on top of the plexiglass walls and clinically cut the protective net with pliers.
They also threw flares and objects across to the Italian area of the stadium and on to the pitch.
It took a good 20 minutes before the referee, who had come out to begin the match, walked back into the tunnel with the teams.
Riot police were called, but the Serbian fans had no intention of pulling back and set fire to flags.
Tito

well, they weren't so classy before the game…

It is reported the fans threw rocks and fireworks at the team bus, hitting goalkeeper Stojkovic. He was injured and therefore not even on the bench for the game.
Inside the stadium the problems deteriorated, as hooligans in ski masks climbed on top of the plexiglass walls and clinically cut the protective net with pliers.
They also threw flares and objects across to the Italian area of the stadium and on to the pitch.
It took a good 20 minutes before the referee, who had come out to begin the match, walked back into the tunnel with the teams.
Riot police were called, but the Serbian fans had no intention of pulling back and set fire to flags.
Gigi

The serb fans threw rocks at their own bus .. had nothing to do with italian fans. This is a big serb mess. Caused by morons with a different agenda then soccer. Hope they get the shit kicked out of them when the polizia go in.
Gigi

3-0 win for italy 3 points for italy. Its pretty clear whos to blame .. i have no doubt we will get the game.
Bashar_ASR

I think there is precedence to award Italy a 3-0 win.
Rinaldo2882

I don't think so. The game's cancelled with Italy likely to be awarded a 3-0 win.

I wouldn't be a happy man if I were from Northern Ireland.
Doflah

Any chance the game still played today?
Rufus T. Firefly

Tito, you're serious? I mean, you're really serious?

I'm so sick and tired of people in society acting as apologists for THUGS. NOTHING excuses such behavior. And don't go telling me Italians did anything to worsen or spark it. We saw it with our own eyes with that bum taunting the police.

THEY and THEY alone cost their team three points. I wonder who they're going to blame for their own bankrupted behavior.
MaurizioRoca

Holy cow RAI is saying they may still play in a closed door stadium!!! Just give us the 3 points already. Serbia deserve to be punished.
Rufus T. Firefly

That's bad what happened to the Azzurrini. Wow. They couldn't close the deal with a 2-0 lead.
JulianJ

This proves that ultras actually dont give a fuck about the sport and simply use it as an excuse for their ridiculous behaviour.
Ducati5758

I love the commentators on Rai

“UEFA is going to have to be brave for once in their history and give Italy the win”
JulianJ

Theres no game and those monkeys are still throwing stuff and setting shit on fire
MaurizioRoca

Lol they are right. You know UEFA will try anything to blame Italy….. those motherless bastards!!!!!
masonio

They're hooligans, not ultras. They give a bad name to the real fans and get mistaken for ultras.
Gio

hard to know what this was all about.

having stormed their own team's bus one would think it is some fucked up reaction to the Estonia loss.

there were banners saying Kosovo is the heart of Serbia … written in Italian.

it is hard to know for sure, but it is possible these Nationalists were attempting to get the attention of the Western European press by causing trouble in what would most likely be the most watched game in their group.

fucking horrible what Kosovo, Europe and most of the world did to Serbia, but this is really the wrong way to go about making a political protest.
Marco

This was a very disrespectful display tonight in Genoa. The actions by a few have reflected very poorly on an entire group of people. Not only are the Serbian ultras to blame for this disrespect, but also the backwards infrastructure of Italian stadiums.

The enclosed atmosphere of the Serbian section made it impossible for the police to penetrate and arrest the culprits of tonights affair.

As they indicated on RAI, UEFA should do the only just thing and award us the full three points from this match.

I look forward to the media corrupting this story and turning it into an Italian problem, when this was a problem of a completely different nation.

The bad thing about this result is that Prandelli didn't get a chance to build this team further, Zambrotta and the team played well in the 7 minutes that were permitted. Well done.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NKAZ7LTBZOB3QFERREGVUQDUO4 jorid22

fucking horrible what Kosovo, Europe and most of the world did to Serbia, but this is really the wrong way to go about making a political protest.

WHAT?
Ash

What the heck did Kosovo do to Serbia???…They have every right to ask for independence considering how they have been treated by the serbs over the past few years. No one likes to be treated like second class citizens nor die because they belong to the wrong ethnic group. The Serbs had it coming to them…
ciccio

who cares about the u-21…though i like to see them win…at least the nazionale can scoop up ranocchia and poli
Ducati5758

I was just going to post how well the team looked in the 7 minutes they had. Zambrotta was the man of the match in that short time he had to play in my opinion. A good defensive stop and an excellent cross that should have resulted in a penalty kick.
Marco

Review on the match is up! Along with player ratings Pepe got a 6
agiamba

Knew that statement might set you off… (and I agree)
Dj_mamix

These animals are not from the Adriatic. Their gypsie-like nation does not reach the beautiful sea so not sure why the blogger mentioned that it's a “battle of Adriatic titans”.
http://twitter.com/NiccoloA Niccolò Adami

NO wonder our Catholic brothers (the Croats) wanted out of that Serbian death grip!
http://twitter.com/NiccoloA Niccolò Adami

This actually apparently isn't rare in Serbia. Just another day for them.
Gio

dude, i do not have the time to explain over 100 years of history and how Kosovo, the oldest and most central part of Serbia, was invaded by Albanians who moved into Serbia and went from less than1% of the populations to over 70% in Kosovo, how they systematically strong-armed and forced ethnic Serbs out of their homes and towns using beating, raping and killing – backed by Albanian mafia as well as 'fis', and how they then effectively took over Kosovo, making it in the process the largest centre for drug trade, female trafficking, black-marketeering in all of Europe.

… all before the wars you are referencing even started.

and by the way, what the Serb Kosovars did to the Albianian Kosovar immigrants was perpetrated after the Albanian Kosovars began a local practice of ethnic cleansing – what the Sebs did was just more organised, but it was a direct response to what had already been done to them.

i do not know what country you are from, but imagine a bunch of hooligans from the neighbouring country moved in, forced your compatriots out of their homes and land, increased their population to exceed yours and then pressured the rest of the world to recognise them as a sovereign nation?

Serbia as a country has been royally fucked by most of the world

do some research before you make statements like that.

unless you are confusing Bosnia with Kosovo.
Gio

holy shit, you guys really need to learn some history and do some traveling.

(for starters, the Croats were the ones who had allied with the Nazis and used this allegiance to oppress Serbs … the history goes back a lot further than that but this is not a history forum … you can do some research if you really want to learn)

take a trip to Dbrovnik with a Serb and see how your “Catholic brothers” treat your traveling companion.

and on top of it you want to judge an entire nation on the actions of a couple of thousand douchebags?

these fuckers should be locked up for a good long time, but if you could read some Serbian, you would know that the wide majority of the country is so disgusted by what happened that they are embarrassed for themselves.
Ash

Im sorry, but its really hard not judge a country that has commited one of the worst types of genocide in human history and are actually commended for it back in their own country.
I may not be a kosovan or a bosnian but my country has faced similar persucution for very similar reasons. There's a reason why serbs are hated by most of their Balkan neighbours…
Gio

worst types of Genocide? i thought they were all bad.

or are you talking numbers? because then Cambodia & Vietnam, Congo, Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Uganda, Kurdistan, Armenia, ( i could go on) were all longer and far more deadly (more victims).

first of all, Serbs are not hated by most of their Balkan neighbours. they are liked by Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and lots of Montenegrins.

it is only non-Serb Croatians, Bosnians and Albanians who have issues.

second of all, know that ethnic Albanians, who started moving into Kosovo over 100 years ago (the scum of the earth) had planned the taking over of territory (Kosovo) which was not theirs and then systematically threatening and killing Serb Kosovars over a period many years in a slow but systematic ethnic cleansing, did so for a long time before Serbs finally struck back. it is far from one sided. in fact it is one of the worst media cover-ups conducted in Eastern European history in the last century.

have you ever been to Serbia? do you know any Serbs? have you met any Serbs who were forced to leave their own homes and province? i have.

i could give you a hundred articles to read, but here is an interesting one to start..

http://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/10/world/pristina-journal-blood-will-have-blood-it-s-the-code-of-the-clans.html

what you have heard is a one sided media campaign, do not believe it all.
Florjan

hey GIO,

YOU SEEM TO KNOW LOTS ABOUT THIS STORY. (SO IT SEEMS) I THOUGHT THIS ABOUT PLAYING FAIR FOOTBALL AND NOT MAKING POLITICAL COMMENTS. (THATS WHAT FOOTBALL IS ABOUT). CALLING SOME GROUP OF PEOPLE SCUM FOR WHATEVER THE REASON IS NOT NICE. BUT YOU PROOVED A GOOD POINT, ONE WHOO SPEAKS LIKE THAT IS LIKE THAT. ITS UNFAIR TO GIVE ITALY THE WIN ON THE TABLE, AND I REALLY HOPE THAT THE MATCH WILL BE REPLAYED SO WE CAN WATCH SOME REAL FOOTBALL AND ENJOY IT.