Euro 2024 team guide and best bets: Slovenia
Slovenia raised a few eyebrows when finishing joint-top of their qualification group for Euro 2024. Can they surprise again this summer?
We've rounded up everything you need to know about their prospects in this comprehensive team guide, which features tactical analysis, players to watch out for, predicted line-ups, betting tips and much more.
How Slovenia qualified for Euro 2024
A second-place finish in Group H saw Slovenia secure a safe passage to their first major tournament in 14 years.
Tied on 22 points with group winners Denmark, who ironically lie in wait once again in Germany, Matjaz Kek’s men avoided the need for a play-off by finishing four points ahead of both Finland and Kazakhstan.
Their two defeats both came on the road, in Copenhagen and Helsinki, while a home draw with the Danes ended up being crucial in terms of head-to-head ranking.
Star striker Benjamin Sesko lived up to his billing with five goals, including a brace against Finland and a crucial penalty against the Kazakhs.
This summer will only be the second time Slovenia have appeared at a European Championships since gaining independence in 1991. That debut in 2000 ended in a group stage exit.
Slovenia's squad for Euro 2024
Slovenia named a 26-man squad ahead of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: Vid Belec (APOEL), Jan Oblak (Atlético de Madrid), Igor Vekić (Vejle)
Defenders: Jure Balkovec (Alanyaspor), Jaka Bijol (Udinese), Miha Blažič (Lech Poznań), David Brekalo (Orlando City), Vanja Drkušić (Sochi), Erik Janža (Górnik Zabrze), Žan Karničnik (Celje), Jon Gorenc Stanković (Sturm Graz), Petar Stojanović (Sampdoria)
Midfielders: Timi Elšnik (Olimpija Ljubljana), Adam Gnezda Čerin (Panathinaikos), Tomi Horvat (Sturm Graz), Josip Iličić (Maribor), Jasmin Kurtić (Südtirol), Sandi Lovrić (Udinese), Benjamin Verbič (Panathinaikos), Adrian Zeljković (Spartak Trnava), Nino Žugelj (Bodø/Glimt)
Forwards: Žan Celar (Lugano), Jan Mlakar (Pisa), Benjamin Šeško (Leipzig), Andraž Šporar (Panathinaikos), Žan Vipotnik (Bordeaux)
Slovenia's predicted starting XI for Euro 2024
Slovenia's star player - Jan Oblak
Captain and stalwart Jan Oblak remains the only established world-class player in Slovenia’s squad heading into the tournament.
Not only has he been his country’s number one since 2019, the 31 year-old is also no stranger to playing in games of the highest calibre — including a Champions League final for Atletico Madrid eight years ago.
His importance cannot be understated. In the last nine years, Oblak has been crowned Slovenian Player of the Year in seven of them, and was also named LaLiga's star performer in 2020-21.
Finally, Oblak gets to savour a major tournament at international level and it appears he will need to be at his very best if his country is to stand any chance of progressing to the last sixteen.
Four clean sheets in eight qualifying outings was an impressive enough return and with a functional defensive unit in front of him, Oblak will be a tough man to pass this summer.
Slovenia's one to watch - Benjamin Sesko
Despite being just 20 years old, Sesko has taken to the German Bundesliga like a duck to water during his first season with RB Leipzig.
With 18 goals to his name in all competitions, the imposing forward has exceeded expectations since signing from sister club RB Salzburg last summer.
His performances in Saxony have stuck several of Europe’s big-hitters on red alert, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea have all strongly linked in recent months.
Sesko also became the youngest ever player to score in seven consecutive matches in the German top-flight this term, all while transferring his prolific form to the international stage.
He has already bagged 11 goals in a Slovenia shirt and looks set to start up top alongside Andraz Sporar in Slovenia’s opening match against Denmark on June 16.
As comfortable with a ball at his feet as he is running in behind, the young forward is also able to act as a focal point for others to play off when moving up the pitch.
Given that Slovenia are likely to be without possession of the ball for large spells of their matches, Sesko’s ability to hold up play while his team progresses forward will be invaluable.
Slovenia's manager - Matjaz Kek
Kek is in the middle of his second tenure as Slovenia manager, originally taking the reins back in 2007.
His first crack at the job saw the country qualify for the 2010 World Cup via a play-off win over Russia — their first major tournament in a decade.
They were eliminated at the group stage, however, suffering a 1-0 defeat to England who also share their group in Germany this time around.
Failure to qualify for Euro 2012 saw the now 62 year-old’s contract terminated by mutual agreement, and was followed by a brief stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad.
A move to Croatian side HNK Rijeka was next, where Kek rebuilt his career in winning a league title and two Croatian Cups during a five-year spell.
One month after leaving, his return to Slovenia was confirmed and qualifying automatically for Euro 2024 is clear evidence of the excellent progress his side are making.
Their eight-match unbeaten streak in 2020 was the longest in the country’s history and Kek will write his name into the history books again if he can somehow mastermind progression to the last 16, which would also be a first for a nation with a population of just 2.1 million people.
Slovenia's Euro 2024 betting odds
Slovenia to win EURO 2024 - 500/1
Slovenia to reach the Euro 2024 final - 150/1
Slovenia to qualify from Group C - 5/4
Slovenia top goalscorer - Benjamin Sesko 3/1, Andraz Sporar 5/1, Jan Mlakar 8/1, Zan Vipotnik 8/1, Nejc Gradisar 8/1, 12/1 BAR
*All best UK prices as of 30/05/24
Analysis and best bets for Slovenia at Euro 2024
Expert analysis from Odds Now's Bradley Walker:
“Though England are hotly-tipped to finish top of this group, the race for second and possibly third place is quite open.
"Denmark and Serbia are certainly more established in European Championships than Slovenia, though, whose last appearance in the competition dates all the way back to Euro 2000.
"They also came through one of the weaker groups during qualifying, notably only picked up one point out of a possible six against the Danes across their two meetings.
"Those first two outings against Denmark and Serbia will be crucial to their progression chances, so there's little time to bed in.
"They’ve done brilliantly to get to the tournament but I’d be amazed if they remain in the competition beyond the group stage. I’d probably have them finishing bottom of the four, as does the market.
”Star striker Sesko can make his presence felt in Germany though and 3/1 about him top-scoring for his nation is worth a flutter."
Brad's Best Bet:
Benjamin Sesko to be Slovenia's top scorer - 3/1 (BetVictor)