Serbia celebrates its place at the World Cup
By DPA, IANSSunday, October 11, 2009
BELGRADE - Serbian officials congratulated Sunday Serbia’s 5-0 win over Romania which secured the team a place in next year’s World Cup football in South Africa, while thousands of fans flocked the cities celebrating the victory until the early morning hours.
“I want to congratulate the players on this fantastic success. This success is a great encouragement for all our citizens. We will be with our team when they play at the World Cup in South Africa,” Serbian President Boris Tadic told local media.
Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic also congratulated the team.
“This is a great success for Serbia,” Cvetkovic said, while Dacic thanked the team “for bringing pride back to Serbia.”
Serbia beat Romania 5-0 Saturday night and qualified for the 2010 World Cup for the first time under its own name. The last time Serbia played in the World Cup was together with Montenegro in 2006.
“I am so happy. Our people deserved this. (Team) Serbia has yet to show that we have a great team and players,” team Serbia’s coach Radomir Antic said after the game.
After the match, thousands of fans gathered in all major Serbian cities to celebrate the victory. In Belgrade the team drove around the streets followed by cheering crowds.
