Slovenia held their nerve in qualifying to secure a first Euros spot since 2000 thanks in no small part to the goals of talisman Benjamin Sesko.
Sesko is the latest lanky goal machine to emerge through the RB Salzburg/Leipzig ranks with 18 goals in his debut season for the latter in 2023/24.
Comparisons to you know who are abound ahead of Euro 2024 and all he needs is a summer move to Manchester City and Roy Keane to dislike his father excessively.
Paired with England, Denmark and Serbia, getting out of Group C will be a tough ask for Slovenia after only reaching the group stages in their solo appearance 24 years ago, but Sesko gives them a chance if the rest of the team can stay solid.
MANAGER: Matjaž Kek
CAPTAIN: Atletico Madrid stopper Jan Oblak was the big cheese in Slovenia before Sesko muscled in, but he remains as skipper.
STAR PLAYER: Sesko. It sounds like an undersell to the rest of the squad but Slovenia’s chances of getting out of the group will likely rest on his shoulders.
HOW THEY GOT THERE: Slovenia only lost out on top spot in Group H based on their head-to-head record with Denmark (one draw, one defeat), but comfortably finished above Finland and Kazakhstan as well as a disappointing Northern Ireland and regular whipping boys San Marino.
HOW WILL THEY DO: Group C should be a scrap between England and Denmark, but if Sesko can fire, Slovenia will challenge Serbia for a best third place spot.
BEST BET: Slovenia reaching the knockouts would break a historical barrier for them as an independent nation, but with the potential for three qualifiers from Group C it’s not impossible.
SLOVENIA EURO 2024 FIXTURES & SCHEDULE
Group C
Sunday, Jun 16: Slovenia v Denmark, 5pm (Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart)
Thursday, Jun 20: Slovenia v Serbia 2pm (Allianz Arena, Munich)
Tuesday, Jun 25: England v Slovenia 8pm (Cologne Stadium, Cologne)
SLOVENIA EURO 2024 SQUAD
Slovenia will confirm their final squad ahead of the June 6 deadline. Below is their 30 player preliminary squad.
- GOALKEEPERS: Jan Oblak, Vid Belec, Igor Vekic, Matevz Vidovsek.
- DEFENDERS: Petar Stojanovic, Jaka Bijol, Miha Blazic, Jure Balkovec, Zan Karnicnik, David Brekalo, Erik Janza, Vanja Drkusic, Zan Zaletel.
- MIDFIELDERS: Jasmin Kurtic, Benjaim Verbic, Miha Zajc, Sandi Lovric, Adam Gnezda Cerin, Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Timi Max Elsnik, Tomi Horvat, Adrian Zeljkovic, Nino Zugelj.
- FORWARDS: Benjamin Sesko, Josip Ilicic, Andraz Sporar, Luka Zahovic, Jan Mlakar, Zan Celar, Zan Vipotnik.
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