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**Frank Cunha** · 08-09-2003, 01:10 AM

Slovenia see path to Euro finals again

LJUBLJANA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Playoff specialists Slovenia believe they are in with a good chance of reaching their third successive major tournament.

"Bojan Prasnikar takes the path of (Srecko) Katanec," ran a headline in the daily NeDelo on Sunday after Slovenia beat Israel 3-1 in the fight for second place in Euro 2004 qualifying Group One.

Katanec steered Slovenia to the Euro 2000 tournament in Belgium and the Netherlands before taking them to the World Cup finals two years later in South Korea and Japan.

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In both cases, the Slovenians qualified through a playoff for qualifying group runners-up.

Slovenia are second in a group dominated by defending champions France -- who have a maximum 18 points -- with 13 points from six matches and lead third-placed Israel by five points with two games to go.

Should they beat either France on Wednesday or, more likely, Cyprus in October, they will secure a playoff berth along with the runners-up from the nine other groups.

"Bojan Prasnikar is therefore completely on the path that Katanec set up before him," said NeDelo.

Although their game was not sparkling, Slovenia had a lethal weapon in midfielder Zlatko Zahovic, who set up his side's three goals -- two from free kicks.

Slovenia also managed to keep calm when tempers flared and Israel had two players sent off in the last five minutes.

08-09-2003, 01:10 AM	#63 (permalink)
Frank Cunha Super Moderator Favourite Team: SL BENFICA -BEIRA-MAR Frank Cunha is Offline Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UNION, NJ. USA Posts: 92,763 vCash: 3081 Rep: Rep Points: 5666 Country:	Zahovic Slovenia see path to Euro finals again LJUBLJANA, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Playoff specialists Slovenia believe they are in with a good chance of reaching their third successive major tournament. "Bojan Prasnikar takes the path of (Srecko) Katanec," ran a headline in the daily NeDelo on Sunday after Slovenia beat Israel 3-1 in the fight for second place in Euro 2004 qualifying Group One. Katanec steered Slovenia to the Euro 2000 tournament in Belgium and the Netherlands before taking them to the World Cup finals two years later in South Korea and Japan. ADVERTISEMENT In both cases, the Slovenians qualified through a playoff for qualifying group runners-up. Slovenia are second in a group dominated by defending champions France -- who have a maximum 18 points -- with 13 points from six matches and lead third-placed Israel by five points with two games to go. Should they beat either France on Wednesday or, more likely, Cyprus in October, they will secure a playoff berth along with the runners-up from the nine other groups. "Bojan Prasnikar is therefore completely on the path that Katanec set up before him," said NeDelo. Although their game was not sparkling, Slovenia had a lethal weapon in midfielder Zlatko Zahovic, who set up his side's three goals -- two from free kicks. Slovenia also managed to keep calm when tempers flared and Israel had two players sent off in the last five minutes.