Last June 26, 2010, the Slovenian national football team was welcomed by their supporters at the Ljubljana airport. This was after their first round in the World Cup held in South Africa.

They were welcomed by approximately 10,000 fans during the reception program. The Slovenian team is believed to be qualified for the second round until the United States scored versus Algeria during the last few minutes.

The team together with Matjaž Kek, Slovenian football team’s coach were overwhelmed with the support and warm welcome of their fans and promised that this will not be their last World Cup. The Slovenian team as well expressed their potential participation during the European championships soon.

Slovenia and United States of America tied (2:2) during their second match in group C. During the first half, Slovenia got the lead by 2:0 yet USA was able to score two goals during the second half.

In the world cup, Slovenia got 4 points and maintains to be the top in Group C before England’s game with Algeria. USA continues to be undefeated with two draws ahead of their third game against the Algerians. Slovenia will then be facing for the next round the team from England. Both teams have played a good match toady.

If Slovenia enters the final 16 of the World Cup in tomorrow’s game versus England, there is great possibility that refunds will be given to those tourists from England who booked packages for a Slovenian holiday and has paid until June 10, 2010. Possibly, British tourists will be given a 25% refund which may probably grow if Slovenia gets further in the World Cup.

This was a tourist campaign launched by the Ministry and the Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) before the World Cup started. It aims to give refunds from 25% to 100% to their British guests which will depend on the outcome of the Slovenian national football team at the World Cup

British tourists will be given a 25% refund when the Slovenian team makes it to the 16^th round which is based from there slogan, “Slovenia…bet you’ll love it.” A refund of 50% will then be given if they get to the semi finals and a full refund if Slovenia wins the World Cup.

Today, at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, Slovenia will try their best to get a place in the World Cup’s elimination phase through winning over the United States today under the Group C clash.

Slovenia gets their confidence after getting a historic 1:0 win versus Algeria during the opening match which made them leading in the group. This perseverance arises even with US as one of the favorites plus US is ranked 11 places above Slovenia on FIFA’s world rankings, 14th versus 25th.

Although the Slovenian players believe they will be victorious, Miso Brecko, the defender of the team still believes a draw will be possible. But they claim that a draw is okay, but will still be aiming to win.

A lot of experts perceive a close-fought match since both teams have identical style of playing. They believe that the key to the team who will be winning the match is the ability of the midfield of one of the teams creating a possession advantage over their opponents.

Slovenia has to do their best plus to impress President Danilo Türk who will be traveling to South Africa to witness the said match. Aside from President Türk, approximately 1,000 Slovenian football fans anticipated to watch and fill up the Ellis Park.

Yesterday, a race for the Men’s Eight final at the Rowing World Cup went across Lake Bled located in Slovenia. Luckily, it was a great weekend for Great Britain as they won the competition together with their 8 contestants featuring Greg Searle, 38 years old.

Greg Searle won in 1992 an Olympic gold and is currently attempting to comeback after to 10 years of being a retiree. Yesterday was a step to his successful comeback and will being able to help him in his goal to be able to row this 2012 games.

At the 43rd Salamunov Memorial, Slovenian gymnasts bagged three gold medals last Saturday at category-B World Cup in Maribor, Slovenia. Teja Belak, a 16 year old athlete from Ljubljana got her first gold World Cup medal. Jana Siklulova, Czech expert won uneven bars through performing a Stalder-hecht to high bar; giant-full Gienger as well as a double front dismount.

On the second place is the Dutch gymnast named Mayra Kroonen on both piked front half as well as Yurchenko full plus on uneven bars – toe-on Shaposhnikova to bail to Stalder shoot to high; toe-on, toe-on full to giant-blind to Jaeger; handstand snap to back tuck dismount. Her teammate Marlies Ryken got the bronze medal on relying on elgrip work – Jaeger; Endo; double front.

On men’s floor exercise, the lanky Kas van Weelden of the Netherlands got the gold medal along with showing off his twisting skills (2 1/2 punch Rudi; front double-full to barani; stuck Arabian double front; whip-triple full. Van Weelden just turned 21 on Tuesday while competing in his first World Cup.

Saso Bertoncelj from Slovenia got the gold on pommel horse, improving from his silver medal a year ago in Maribor. Bertoncelj, 25 years old, won the bronze medal on pommel horse at the recent European Championships. On still rings, Gregor Saksida closed the competition with another gold medal for Slovenia.

Just recently, the Slovenian team surprised the Russian team in the two-legged play-off to qualify for this summer’s World Cup. Slovenia also proves that they have nothing to lose in South Africa through South Africa attacking midfielder Valter Birsa. Birsa as well admitted thay they really weren’t confident that they will qualify for the 2010 World Cup and weren’t expecting all the winning matches, points as well as victories.

The Slovenian team also claims that the confidence they have had helped them a lot since especially when they played against Slovakia twice plus they played versus the Russian team in the play-offs. The team just showed a lot of courage and got their reward which was winning and qualifying for the tournament. The team promises to carry on and fight for every ball which they continue to do up to the present. They still have 3 matches to deal with against big teams; however their goal is to gather more points as possible as well as to finish ahead of them.