Manager: Radomir Antic

Key player: Nemanja Vidic

Best: Fourth place (1930, 1962, as Yugoslavia)

World ranking: 20

Serbia beat Romania 5-0 in Belgrade to earn automatic qualification for the 2010 World Cup as unassailable leaders of European qualifying Group Seven. Nikola Zigic gave the Serbs a half-time lead before they hammered home their superiority after the break through goals from Marko Pantelic, Zdravko Kuzmanovic and a Milan Javanovic double. Edging an albeit out-of-sorts France into second place in a tough group shows the strides Serbia have made.

Serbia are coached extremely efficiently by former Luton player Radomir Antic, who has built a solid side that also comprises plenty of firepower. Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is the most recognisable face, but defender Branislav Ivanovic is a consistent performer for Chelsea, midfielder Nenad Milijas has performed well at Wolves and Inter Milan's Dejan Stankovic remains a class performer in midfield. A lack of big tournament experience could be their undoing.