SERBIA

GROUP: C

PLAYER TO WATCH: Aleksandar Mitrovic

EXPECTED FINISH: Round of 16

Serbia fixtures

Serbia are entering their maiden European Championships under their own flag. They have had prior successes as part of Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro but Dragan Stojkovic’s men are hoping to stand alone and make a name for themselves in a highly competitive Group C.

For the Serbians to have a shot of exiting the section it is integral that they pick up points against Slovenia and Denmark – anything against England will likely be considered a bonus. Fortunately, they are already familiar with Slovenia after facing them twice in the 2022 Nations League, winning 4-1 and drawing 2-2 in their group-stage matches.

Here are Serbia’s Group C fixtures in full:

• Serbia vs England: 16th June (Arena AufSchalke)
• Slovenia vs Serbia: 20th June (Munich Football Arena)
• Denmark vs Serbia: 25th June (Munich Football Arena)

England are the clear favourites to top Group C, meaning the other three teams are battling for a coveted spot in the round of 16.

If Serbia were to bank positive results and finish second, it would likely set up a difficult knockout game with hosts Germany. A third-place finish would mean a knockout game against Belgium or Portugal – a slightly more favourable match-up on paper.

Standings

Key players

Serbia’s 26-man squad may lack the ‘star power’ of some of the bigger nations in the tournament but still has plenty of European pedigree. Their impressive spine and a plethora of attacking talent will be integral in helping them get into the knockout stages for the first time as an independent footballing nation. That expectation will largely rest on the shoulders of the following key players:

Aleksandar Mitrovic

Caps (goals): 89 (57)

Position: Forward

Club: Al-Hilal

Serbia enter the European Championships with one of the most in-form strikers in world football: Aleksandar Mitrovic. The former Fulham striker has been in a persistent purple patch since moving to Saudi Arabia, netting more than 35 goals for Al-Hilal this campaign.

He ended Serbia’s dismal 2022 World Cup campaign as their most potent attacker (two) but, as their all-time record scorer, Mitrovic will be hoping for more goals and a more impressive outing all-round in Germany this summer.

Dusan Tadic

Caps (goals): 106 (22)

Position: Forward

Club: Fenerbahce

We move from Serbia’s all-time leading scorer to their record appearance maker. Dusan Tadic could notch over 110 caps for his nation if Serbia enjoy an extended run this summer; a well-deserved milestone considering the veteran forward is ageing like a fine wine in Turkey with Fenerbahce. With more than 25 goal contributions this campaign, Tadic was a standout performer in the Turkish Super Lig alongside the likes of Mauro Icardi, Dries Mertens and Edin Dzeko.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Caps (goals): 49 (8)

Position: Midfielder

Club: Al-Hilal

Another Saudi Pro League star who seems destined to steal headlines at the European Championships is Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The central midfielder was linked with several of Europe’s elite before opting instead to move to the Middle East, where he has enjoyed a stellar season with more than 20 combined goals and assists for Al-Hilal.

Dusan Vlahovic

Caps (goals): 25 (13)

Position: Forward

Club: Juventus

The litany of attacking talent at Serbia’s disposal continues with Dusan Vlahovic. Juventus’ number nine has enjoyed another prolific campaign in Serie A and notably notched the winning goal in May’s Coppa Italia final to ensure the Bianconeri picked up a trophy despite a subpar season.

It is yet to be seen whether he is the complimentary piece to Mitrovic up top or if he has to play second fiddle to start the tournament but, either way, Vlahovic is bound to make his presence felt in Germany when he gets the chance.

Previous performances in the Euros

Serbia have never qualified for the European Championships as an independent nation. Their greatest successes came in the 1960s as part of Yugoslavia, finishing in second place on two occasions between 1960 and 1968. They also made the quarter-finals as FR Yugoslavia before a crushing 6-1 defeat to hosts Netherlands.

Serbia’s previous performances in the Euros (Yugoslavia between 1960-1992, FR Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro between 1996-2004) are:

• 1960: Runners-up (lost 2-1 to the Soviet Union)
• 1964: Did not qualify
• 1968: Runners-up (lost 2-0 to Italy)
• 1972: Did not qualify
• 1976: Fourth place (lost to the Netherlands in third-place play-off)
• 1980: Did not qualify
• 1984: Group stage (fourth in Group 1)
• 1988: Did not qualify
• 1992: Qualified, but suspended
• 1996: Suspended
• 2000: Quarter-finals (lost 6-1 to the Netherlands)
• 2004: Did not qualify
• 2008: Did not qualify
• 2012: Did not qualify
• 2016: Did not qualify
• 2020: Did not qualify

Expectations

Serbia could be an underdog contender heading into the European Championships. They lack experience and were underwhelming in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup but, with an array of attacking talent that knows where the back of the net is, there is ample opportunity for the Serbs to spring a surprise.

Finishing as one of the best third-place teams may even mean a rosier route in the knockout stages and a chance to be one of the stories of 2024.

Check out our Serbia betting odds for all our latest prices throughout the European Championships.

Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change