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15 Sizzling Serbia Football Facts!

Here's some amazing facts about the Serbian men's national football team!

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Beano Facts Team
Last Updated:  August 21st 2024

Serbia are just one of the 24 teams taking part at the Euros 2024 in Germany. Here's everything you need to know about the team, who share a group with England, Slovenia and Denmark!

1. They've technically been a national side since 2006

The Serbian flag

The history of Serbia is long and complicated. The country was known as Yugoslavia from 1918 and in 2006, became an independent state in 2006 after a short-lived union with Montenegro (1992). So while the country has been playing football for decades, many of the facts you'll read is based on their recent triumphs under the Serbia name.

2. The badge is based on the country's flag

The team's badge has included the two-headed eagle from their country's flag which can be traced back to the medieval Nemanjić dynasty. The word 'Србија' on the badge simply means Serbia!

3. They play their home games at the Rajko Mitić Stadium

Serbia play the majority of their home games at the Rajko Mitić Stadium, which in in Dedinje. Seating 51,755 fans, the ground is the home of Crvena zvezda (or Red Star Belgrade).

4. Their captain is Dušan Tadić 

Captain Tadić is a forward for Turkish club Fenerbahçe and made his international debut in 2008, and has been captain since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

5. Aleksandar Mitrović is the team's highest goal scorer

Serbia forward Aleksandar Mitrović
uefa.com

Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrović, who currently plays for Al Hilal SFC in Saudi Arabia, is the country's leading goal scorer.

6. Their nickname is the Eagles

The Serbia national team are known as 'Orlovi' (or Eagles), which is a nod to the club's badge and national flag. To date, no eagles have represented the country on the international soccer stage.

7. Serbia have enjoyed some massive wins

Serbia have won a few games by scoring six goals in a single match. In October 2007, they beat Azerbaijan 6-1 on their opponents' home turf. In November 2008, they beat Bulgaria 6-1. In a home game against Wales, they also beat Wales 6-1 in September 2012!

8. They've also suffered some heavy defeats

They've also been on the receiving end of a big loss, too. Serbia's biggest defeat happened in June 2019 when they played Ukraine away in Lviv. They lost 5-0!

9. They're 32nd in FIFA's world ranking

A football coach with a clipboard

In June 2024, Serbia were ranked the 32nd best men's team in the world, according to FIFA. The world's number 1 is Argentina, thanks to their 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

10. They share a rivalry with two international teams

Serbia can count a couple of teams as their fiercest rivals, all of which are based on complicated political and geographical reasons. The first team are Croatia , the second are Albania.

11. Their manager is an international football legend

A football manager

Serbia are managed by Dragan Stojković, who played for Radnički Niš, Red Star Belgrade and represented Yugoslavia and the Serbia and Montenegro national football team. He made 84 appearances in international games, scoring 15 times. He was appointed as Serbia's manager in 2021.

12. Serbia are yet to win any trophies

Despite playing exciting, attacking football, Serbia are yet to add any trophies to their cabinet.

13. The fastest goal scored by a Serbian club is jaw-dropping

While Serbia's international goals haven't broke any records for speed, it's worth mentioning that in domestic football, GSP Polet's Vuk Bakic hit the net direct from kick-off in a game against Dorcol. He sent his team into the lead after just 2 seconds!

14. 2024 marked their first-ever Euros

As Serbia, the Euros 2024 will be the first time the country has played in the tournament. They faced England, Denmark and Slovenia in the group stage. They managed to grab a point against Slovenia, thanks to a last-minute goal in stoppage time!

15. Football is the most popular sport in Serbia

A football fan in a gold or yellow sweatshirt

There are 2700 clubs in Serbia alone, with an estimated 280,000 people who play the beautiful game. One of them could be the next Aleksandar Mitrović!

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