COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) – Slovenia showed they deserve to be counted as serious European football contenders after making it through to the last 16 of Euro 2024, coach Matjaz Kek said after his side held England to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday.
The draw meant Slovenia, a small central European nation with a population of just over two million, qualified for the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time.
Their three points from three matches were enough to secure a place as one of the four best third-place finishers in what is only their fourth international tournament since becoming an independent nation, and first since the 2010 World Cup.
“We have shown with our play we deserve to be here and we deserve to go into the elimination phase. We have played one of the favourites of this tournament,” Kek told a press conference after the stalemate in which his side had their backs against the wall for most of the encounter.
“We were under pressure but a small Slovenian national team was expected to suffer against a high-quality team like England.”
The 62-year-old praised the mental strength of his players, most of whom do not play for big European sides — the major exception being goalkeeper Jan Oblak who plays for LaLiga side Atletico Madrid.
“I emphasise again the mental fortitude of this young team for the first time at such a big tournament. They have shown their true colours. You have to understand, English players play every three to four days but many of our players don’t play those high-stakes games,” Kek said.
“When we had the draw I said Slovenia will play a part and I’m very proud of this team.”
Slovenia’s next opponents are yet to be decided as the group stage is not concluded until after Wednesday’s games. However, Kek said he and his team would revel in the moment, for now.
“I don’t really care about our opponent… Now let us enjoy the few days more at the European Championship but tomorrow we have to start thinking about the next match,” he said.
“Let’s be happy today but tomorrow we go back on the pitch and prepare for our next opponent. We have proved we deserve to be here.”
(Reporting by Christian Radnedge; editing by Clare Fallon)
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