Goal Programme - Football Association of Slovenia - 2001

Ever since the national team qualified for EURO 2000 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan?, football has been the number one sport in Slovenia, but basketball and skiing (formerly Slovenia's number one sport) are also very popular. Qualification for these two finals still ranks as the greatest footballing success in the history of a relatively young nation. Branko Oblak, Danilo Popivoda and Srecko Katanec were all regular features in the national team of the former Yugoslavia and played for various top European teams. All three are currently coaches in Slovenia, but Katanec led the national team to EURO 2000 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup?. Zlatko Zahovic is the top Slovenian player at the moment. He currently plays for Benfica (Portugal), and has also represented FC Porto (Portugal), Olympiakos (Greece) and Valencia (Spain).

Financial assistance from FIFA has been used to build a technical centre with training pitches for young players where youth national teams in all age groups can train. On 1 May 2003, the Goal Bureau approved the laying of two artificial turf pitches that make it possible to train and play matches all year round and will assist the implementation of a youth football scheme launched by the Football Association of Slovenia Having celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2003, the association has made fine progress of late and its sound investment in the future will help to sustain these positive developments.