FIFA World Cup Betting: Since splitting from Yugoslavia in 1991, Slovenia has only made one other attempt at qualifying for World Cup betting action. Though that attempt failed, this one was successful, as Slovenia will be making its first ever appearance in the national spotlight in 2010 in South Africa.

Even though Slovenia used its defensive prowess to hold its first ten foes in qualifying to just four goals, it wasn't enough to get one of the automatic qualifying spots. Instead, a home-and-home playoff with Russia was necessary. Many felt as though the Russians were the side to back, but Slovenia netted a late goal in Moscow in the first leg and swiped a 1-0 triumph at home to shock the world and make it to South Africa.

Slovenia has a self-proclaimed "backbone" of a trio of superstars that makes up the core of its team. GK Samir Handanovic was, without a doubt, the hero of qualifying for the Slovenians. M Robert Koren is the team leader as the man wearing the white armband for these games. F Milivoje Novakovic has scored 51 career goals for FC Cologne of the German Bundesliga and has found the back of the net 14 times while playing for his country.

The World Cup lines aren't exactly in favor of Slovenia in Group C or to win the World Cup. Anyone banking on the +20000 odds to win it all is merely hoping to be the lucky recipient of a true sporting miracle, while grabbing the +1000 to win Group C seems like a longshot proposition at best as well. Without three points against Algeria in its opening match, Slovenia can kiss its chances of qualification for the knockout rounds goodbye.