TEAM

SLOVENIA

GROUP: C

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jan Oblak

EXPECTED FINISH: Group Stage

After qualifying as Group H runners-up, Slovenia are making their second-ever appearance at the European Championships and have been drawn in Group C alongside England, Denmark and Serbia. A tough section, for sure, and one that if they do manage to defy the odds to top the group, will see them face a to-be-determined third-placed finisher in the round of 16.

A second-place finish in Group C would see them face the winners of Group A, which has a strong possibility of being host nation Germany. It would not be remiss to say that perhaps the most likely route into the last 16 would be as one of the best third-placed teams – an outcome that would see Slovenia face a group winner in the next round.

Slovenia fixtures in full:

Slovenia vs Denmark: 16th June (Stuttgart Arena)
Slovenia vs Serbia: 20th June (Munich Football Arena)
England vs Slovenia: 25th June (Cologne Stadium)

Standings

Venues

Key players

Though outsiders in Group C, Slovenia have a squad with not just experienced players but also up-and-coming talent looking to make their name on one of the biggest stages. Let’s take a closer look at three:

Benjamin Sesko

Caps (goals): 28 (11)

Position: Forward

Club: RB Leipzig

Chances may be at a premium for Slovenia in Group C so it is just as well they have a goalscorer in their ranks to make the most of any opportunities that do arise.

Benjamin Sesko is that man. He goes into the tournament as the team’s top scorer during the successful qualifying campaign, netting five goals in nine games, as well as registering 14 goals in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig this season.

He will need to be firing to give Slovenia hope and his record of more than one goal every other game for his country should give them cause for optimism. Still just 20 years of age, Sesko has already won the Austrian Bundesliga three times and the Austrian Cup once, all with former club RB Salzburg.

Adam Gnezda Cerin

Caps (goals): 29 (4)

Position: Midfielder

Club: Panathinaikos

Slovenia’s leading assist-maker during qualifying, Adam Gnezda Cerin often creates chances from set-pieces – something that will be one of their main weapons during the tournament.

Occupying a more offensive role for his country than he does for his club team Panathinaikos, Cerin will still be an important defensive asset in breaking up play and winning back possession for his team. On his game, he can have a real impact at both ends of the pitch.

Jan Oblak

Caps (clean sheets): 64 (30)

Position: Goalkeeper

Club: Atletico Madrid

As Slovenia captain, and one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Jan Oblak will be absolutely crucial to any progression beyond the group stage.

With the defence likely to come under siege from Denmark and England's attacking forces, his shot-stopping abilities will be tested to the full. A tall, athletic and strong goalkeeper, Oblak has twice been nominated for the Ballon d’Or.

A Spanish and Portuguese top-flight winner, he has won a host of individual honours during a distinguished career, including La Liga’s Zamora Trophy, which calculates the goals-conceded-to-games-played ratio of the goalkeepers, on multiple occasions.

As captain of the side, his leadership qualities will be put to the test as well as his goalkeeping prowess. His experience and ability will be vital as Slovenia look to navigate their way through a testing section.

Previous Performances in the Euros

Slovenia participated as part of Yugoslavia until 1992. Since then their appearances at major tournaments have been scarce. Two World Cup appearances in 2002 and 2010 (where they also faced England) saw two group-stage exits and just one win, while their European Championship record is even slimmer.

Here is Slovenia’s history at the Euros as an independent nation in full:

1996: Did not qualify
2000: Group stage (third in Group C)
2004: Did not qualify
2008: Did not qualify
2012: Did not qualify
2016: Did not qualify
2020: Did not qualify

Expectations

In just their second-ever appearance at a European Championships, it is difficult to see Slovenia progressing beyond a group that contains England, Denmark and Serbia.

That said, they did manage a draw and a narrow defeat to Denmark in their qualifying campaign, finishing level on points and with a better goal difference than the Danes – their second-place finish was down only to that narrow defeat.

The experience and ability of Oblak will be important and, in a tournament which has provided many shocks in years gone by, who’s to say Slovenia can’t be the surprise package of 2024?

Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change