“Homeless” Serbia-Montenegro team at the World Cup – team without country

The old "Hey Slavs!" melody and Serbia-Montenegro's blue-white-and-red national flags that will flutter at stadiums in Germany will represent a country that has ceased to exist.

Photo: “Homeless” Serbia-Montenegro team at the World Cup – team without country

Serbia-Montenegro players were just starting their tournament preparations last month when Montenegro split from Serbia in an independence referendum, the latest installment in the sometimes violent disintegration of the old six-state Yugoslav federation, the AP reports.

Serbia-Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic likes to say he'll be the only coach leading two national teams at the same World Cup. But he said it's no longer a joke and urged his players not to make comments concerning the country's breakup.

But it's easier said than done, with many players having divided loyalties.