EDEGEM, Belgium, June 9 (Reuters) - Yugoslav coach Vujadin Boskov dismissed suggestions on Friday that his team was too old to launch a serious challenge at Euro 2000.

Many of the team's stalwarts, including playmaker Dragan Stojkovic, Lazio sweeper Sinisa Mihajlovic and striker Predrag Mijatovic, are on the wrong side of 30 and the team's stamina could be severely tested at the finals despite their experience.

But the former Sampdoria and Roma boss said: 'Age is not a problem. The players play at the best clubs in Europe. That is our advantage. We have a lot of experience.'

The Yugoslavs, who start their first-round group C campaign against Slovenia in Charleroi on Tuesday, have often boasted an array of talented players with experience of top-class leagues in Italy and Spain.

But their greatest achievement to date has been finishing runners-up in the European event in 1960 and 1968.

The Yugoslavs, who also take on Norway and Spain in the group, are regarded as outsiders again at 33-1 to win the 2000 tournament despite their experience.

Asked why, the 35-year-old Stojkovic said: 'We have great talent and players who have been in Italy, Spain - all over. But we have never won anything.

'France are the world champions. Holland are playing at home and Germany are good in tournaments and Italy are good. They are the favourites.'

Stojkovic, who earns his living in Japan with Nagoya Grampus Eight, is still the team's main playmaker but his pace and stamina are limited now he is in his mid-30s.

The former Olympique Marseille midfielder, who played in the 1984 European championship as a teenager, said Euro 2000 would be his last tournament and that he planned to quit the game after one more season in Japan.

'This is the last competition for me. I'm saying goodbye and then after one season in Japan I will return to Paris to retire,' he said.

The Yugoslavs arrived at their base near Antwerp after a tiring tour to China, South Korea and Hong Kong when they struggled, losing their last match to a Hong Kong select in humid conditions.

But Boskov said the time difference had been a problem during the tour and his team was now preparing in perfect conditions for what they expected to be a tough game against unfancied neighbours Slovenia.