Only formed as an international side in 2006 Serbia were thought to be challenging for second place in their qualifying group, in the end the disciplined side managed to top a group including France, Romania and Austria to clinch an automatic place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The experience of coach Radomir Antic was crucial in getting Serbia through the group and his well-balanced squad has performed well above expectation.
With Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic as the rock in their defence and captain Dejan Stankovic of Inter Milan leading the side they could surprise a few people.
Star Man - Nemanja VidicManchester United's hard man centre back Vidic takes no prisoners and at the World Cup in South Africa attackers will want to steer clear of his tight marking and tough tackling. Even in the air there is no escaping the dominating defender.
Serbia qualified for South Africa letting in only 8 goals in 10 games and Vidic has been a key component in that defence that helped the nation finish above France.
With Serbia's tough group draw, against Germany, Ghana and Australia it will be Serbia's miserly defending that will win them games.
Coach - Radomir Antic
Radomir or Raddy to some has had one hell of a coaching career and is one of only two managers to have managed both Real Madrid and Barcelona, now as manager of Serbia he will want to carry on his great legacy by guiding Serbia through the group stages to mix it with the big footballing nations in the knock out stages.
Antic a former Luton town player has freshened up the Serbian side and has led his team into a new era with young players now making the core of his team.
Preferring an attacking 4-4-2 formation Antic will certainly not be holding his side back and will encourage his spritely youngsters to attack with pace and skill to penetrate the opposing defences.
One to Watch - Gojko Kacar
The young and dynamic Serbian currently starring for German team Hertha Berlin despite their struggles in the Bundesliga may well come of age in South Africa this year.
The midfielder comes from a family of Olympic boxers and Kacar himself took part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but let his feet do the talking.
He also famously scored 5 in a game against Hungary's under 21 side and scored the Serbian's only goal in the 2009 Under 21 tournament.
Odds to win - 66/1GROUP STAGE FIXTURES
| DATE | TIME | CITY | FIXTURE |
| 13/06/10 | 16:00 | Pretoria |  Serbia vs. Ghana  |
| 18/06/10 | 13:30 | Port Elizabeth | Serbia vs. Germany  |
| 23/06/10 | 20:30 | Nelspruit | Serbia vs. Australia  |