UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: Slovenia

UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: Slovenia

UEFA Euro 2024 is just weeks away from kicking off in Germany. Over the next 17 days, we will be previewing each team that will be taking part in Europe’s biggest football tournament. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Up next is Slovenia.

For the first time in over a decade, Slovenia will be heading to a major tournament. Euro 2024 will be the first tournament for the national team since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Slovenia had an exciting qualifying that saw them finish second in their group behind Denmark on head-to-head points. They have been off to a strong start in 2024 by shutting out the U.S. 1-0 and Portugal 2-0 while drawing 2-2 with Malta. This came after losing just twice in 2023 over eight matches. Their recent success saw them rise to 54th in the FIFA rankings. However, they sit 57th in the most recent rankings. 

Euro Appearances

For only the second time since becoming an independent nation in 1991, Slovenia will be going to the Euros. Before Euro 2024, the only appearance for Slovenia came in 2000 at the Euros in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Best Finish at the Euros

With just a single Euro appearance, Slovenia’s finish at Euro 2000 was their best finish thus far. That did not go too well. Slovenia finished bottom of their group going winless with two draws and a loss. 

Key players

By far the most notable player on the Slovenian team is their goalkeeper and captain Jan Oblak. Oblak is the goalkeeper for Atletico Madrid and has been one of the best players in the world at his position over the last decade. For Slovenia, Oblak has made 64 appearances which is the third most on the current team behind Josip Iličić (79) and Jasmin Kurtić (90). Iličić leads the team in goals with 16 in his international career. 

Outside of the three veterans, Slovenia has been reliant on youth to make it to Euro 2024. 20-year-old Benjamin Šeško, who plays for RB Leipzig, led the way in qualifying with five goals. Žan Vipotnik of Bordeaux scored a couple of goals in qualifying at the age of 22. In the defense, 25-year-old Jaka Bijol of Udinese has been holding it down alongside 31-year-old Miha Blažič, who plays his club football for Lech Poznań in Poland. 

Manager

The man tasked with leading Slovenia at Euro 2024 is 62-year-old Matjaž Kek. Kek has been the manager of Slovenia since 2018 and led his side to 26 wins in 53 matches. He had previously managed Slovenia from 2007 to 2011 which included leading the team at the 2010 World Cup.

Biggest Group Game – vs Denmark on June 16

It has been 24 years since Slovenia has played at the Euros and this will be the first major tournament for all the players involved. There are sure to be some nerves about representing one’s nation at an event of this magnitude. Getting the first match under their belt will be massive and Denmark who just edged them out in qualifying is that first opponent. A familiar foe could be what Slovenia needs to get going in their return to the Euros.

UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: Switzerland

Prediction

While there is hope surrounding Slovenia that they could do something in Group C, it will be very tough considering their group mates. They are joined in Group C by Denmark, Serbia, and Euro 2024 favorites England. There is a chance that Slovenia will be able to steal a point or two, I just do not see them doing enough to get out of the group stage. However, this is a big step for football in the nation and could be the start of a new generation.

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