Robert Koren, Klatko Dedic, Samir Handanovic head Slovenia roster

Koren, Dedic, Handanovic head Slovenia roster

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — West Bromwich Albion midfielder Robert Koren, Bochum forward Zlatko Dedic and Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic headed Slovenia’s 30-man preliminary World Cup roster.

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek is relying on a core of players who helped the nation reach the tournament for the second time.

The roster announced Tuesday also included Grenoble defender Bostjan Cesar, Wisla Krakow midfielder Andraz Kirm and Cologne forward Milivoj Novakovic.

Kek didn’t hide satisfaction that all of the players are healthy and ready.

Slovenia went 0-3 at the 2002 World Cup. This time it opens June 13 against Algeria, then plays the United States five days later and closes the first round against England on June 23. Before the tournament, Slovenia has an exhibition against New Zealand on June 4.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova, Italy), Samir Handanovic (Udinese, Italy), Jan Koprivec (Gallipoli, Turkey), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands)

Defenders: Miso Brecko (Cologne, Germany), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble, France), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor), Suad Filekovic (Maribor), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Bojan Jokic (Chievo Verona, Italy), Dejan Kelhar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Aleksandar Rajcevic (Koper), Matej Mavric-Rozic (Koblenz, Germany), Marko Suler (Ghent, Belgium)

Midfielders: Valter Birsa (Auxerre, France), Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow, Poland), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Israel), Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion, England), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan, Italy), Darjan Matic (Rapid Bucharest, Romania), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa, Greece), Mirnes Sisic (Giannina, Greece), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Dare Vrsic (Koper)

Forwards: Miran Burgic (AIK, Sweden), Zlatko Dedic (Bochum, Germany), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent, Belgiumg), Tim Matavz (Groningen, Netherlands), Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne, Germany), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional Funchal)