A quick look around the blogosphere suggests that for many England fans the idea of watching the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in front of a computer screen at the mercy of an ISP, or at a crammed cinema, sounds about as appealing as making the long trip to Dnipropetrovsk.

But do not despair, England fans, because there is an option for those of you determined to watch it on telly.

Croatia’s HRT 2 state television, also viewable in Serbia on cable, is showing the game live, so here is your chance to combine a bit of light football watching with an autumn dip in the Adriatic somewhere along Croatia’s mesmerising coast, or an evening spent sampling Belgrade’s unique and vibrant nightlife, epitomised by boat-bars and clubs along the Danube.

And fear not that the Croatian faithful might have a go at you after their team’s recent 5-1 drubbing at Wembley. They will be praying for an England win that would leave their boys in the driving seat for a runners-up spot in Group Six.

PHOTO: A subscription page is shown on a laptop computer at a cafe in central London October 5, 2009. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Serbia winger Zoran Tosic has boosted his chances of playing more first team football for club and country after scoring his first two international goals in a 3-1 friendly win over South Africa in Pretoria.

The 22-year old has made only a couple of competitive first team appearances for Manchester United since his move from Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade in January and was consequently dropped by Serbia coach Radomir Antic for their 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

But Tosic’s inspired performance and two goals after he came on as a substitute against the South Africans must have delighted Antic and given United manager Sir Alex Ferguson something to think about too.

With a vital qualifier against France coming up on September 9, the rejuvenated Tosic has added the much-needed depth to Serbia’s squad as they aim to qualify for the finals for the first time as an independent nation.

Ferguson, on the other hand, should also welcome the extra option at hand on the left wing, especially after Nani dislocated his shoulder in United’s Community Shield clash with Chelsea on Sunday.

Tosic may not break into United’s first team just yet, but a good pre-season tour in Asia and the blistering performance against the World Cup hosts will certainly give him hope that he will not end up as surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

Soccer leagues in the Balkans are suffering from an uncontrolled outflow of talent to wealthier and more competitive environments in Europe and it’s a trend that’s benefiting some of the region’s national teams.

At least three countries that emerged from the former Yugoslavia stand a good chance of reaching next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Serbia, who tightened their grip on Group Seven with a 3-2 win over neighbours Romania, are in the best position after a masterclass performance by Manchester United centre-back Nemanja Vidic and captain Dejan Stankovic, plying his trade at Italian champions Inter Milan.

Serbia have only two home-based players in their squad, which has been given a new lease of life under coach Radomir Antic in their bid to reach a first major tournament as an independent nation.

Even more impressive were Serbia’s bitter Balkan foes Bosnia, who demolished Belgium 4-2 and have an excellent chance of securing a play-off spot in Group Five, where European champions Spain seem untouchable.

The Bosnians, also aiming for a maiden World Cup appearance, are reaping the benefits of having experienced exiles such as Eintracht Frankfurt striker Zlatan Bajramovic, Zvjezdan Misimovic and his 22-year old Wolfsburg team-mate Edin Dzeko, who all scored in their surprise success in Genk.

Croatia may not be able to leapfrog England into the driving seat in Group Six but they should also win a play-off berth available to the eight best second-placed teams.

The Croatians, who finished third in the 1998 World Cup in France, have a wealth of experience in a squad chasing a seventh major tournament appearance in eight attempts.

Slovenia, who faded into oblivion after back-to-back appearances in Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup, are in contention for one of the top two spots in a delicately balanced Group Three.

Even the Macedonians are in with a shout for a runners-up spot in Group Nine, where the Dutch have imposed their authority, while Montenegro – newcomers to the world soccer map — have no chance in Group Eight.

How many of these teams will come through at the end of a long and demanding road to South Africa?

Can the Balkans produce a unique treble or even a quadruple, or will the region’s participation in the finals boil down to the usual one or two teams? Give us your thoughts.

PHOTO: Bosnia’s Zlatan Bajramovic (L) celebrates with team mate Zvjezdan Misimovic (R) after scoring against Belgium during a World Cup qualifier at the Fenix stadium in Genk March 28, 2009. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Speculation that Manchester United are after Serbia winger Zoran Tosic has gained momentum after reports that Sir Alex Ferguson had gone to some length to obtain a work permit for the 21-year old Partizan Belgrade player.

Tosic, who has made 12 international appearances but is yet to score for his country, is a decent player with a sweet left foot from set pieces but he appeared to be as stunned as many of my colleagues here in Belgrade after being told that Ferguson sees him as an ideal long-term replacement for Ryan Giggs.

“It’s fantastic to know that such a great coach speaks so highly of my abilities and I am truly honoured that he has so much faith in me,” Tosic told Belgrade’s daily newspapers.

Can a player yet to be tried and tested at top level fill Giggs’s boots on United’s left flank?

Will he, if United sign him, turn out to be a real asset like compatriot Nemanja Vidic or merely a fringe player?

Tosic’s diminutive and frail-looking posture suggests he could find it very difficult to adapt to the physical exertions and torrid pace of the Premier League. Croatia playmaker Luka Modric certainly found it tough at Tottenham.

United are reportedly also interested in Tosic’s 17-year old Partizan team mate Adem Ljajic, who recently broke into the first team and scored on his full debut after a 10-day trial at Old Trafford in October.

Although Ljajic has shown glimpses of extraordinary talent, he is still a far cry from living up to the billing of being “the Serbian Kaka”.

Both Tosic and Ljajic need a far more competitive environment than Serbia’s ramshackle 12-team league for any judgment to be passed and United’s board may well keep that in mind when the January transfer window opens.

PHOTO: Partizan Belgrade’s Zoran Tosic is seen in Belgrade in this Nov 12, 2008 file photo.  REUTERS/Ivan Milutinovic

When Savo Milosevic joined Partizan Belgrade from little known Bosnian outfit Radnik Bijeljina as a 19-year old in 1992, few people imagined he would become the most capped Yugoslav player with 101 international appearances to his name.

Later this month, Milosevic will draw a curtain on his international career when Serbia entertain neighbours Bulgaria in a friendly in Belgrade. Ironically, it will be his only appearance for Serbia as he has not played for his country since it became an independent nation after the 2006 World Cup.

Never acclaimed as one of the game’s most talented strikers, Milosevic still earned his place at the top level through a work ethic which was second to none. (more…)