Euros: Slovenia news, fixtures, manager, key players, Euros record

Slovenia return to the Euros for the first time since 2000 and may feel hard done by after being assigned a place in a difficult looking Group C.

The Dragons also appeared at both the 2002 and 2010 World Cups but, like in Euro 2000, they failed to make it through the group stages.

Despite those qualifying successes, finding a regular goalscorer has been an ongoing issue. They now look to have finally found one, but just as in the past, getting the ball forward might be an issue, with their squad functional rather than flamboyant.

Slovenia Euro 2024 fixtures

• Slovenia v Denmark, 17:00, Sunday 16th June, Stuttgart Arena
• Slovenia v Serbia, 14:00, Thursday 20th June, Munich Arena
• England v Slovenia, 20:00, Tuesday 25th June, Cologne Stadium

Slovenia Euro 2024 squad

Goalkeepers: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid), Vid Belec (APOEL), Igor Vekic (Vejle).

Defenders: Petar Stojanovic (Sampdoria), Jaka Bijol (Udinese), Miha Blazic (Lech Poznan), Jure Balkovec (Alanyaspor), Zan Karnicnik (Celje), David Brekalo (Orlando City), Erik Janza (Gornik Zabrze), Vanja Drkusic (Sochi).

Midfielders: Timi Max Elsnik (Olimpija Ljubljana), Jasmin Kurtic (Sudtirol), Benjamin Verbic (Panathinaikos), Sandi Lovric (Udinese), Adam Gnezda Cerin (Panathinaikos), Jon Gorenc Stankovic (Sturm Graz), Tomi Horvat (Sturm Graz), Adrian Zeljkovic (Spartak Trnava), Nino Zugelj (Bodo/Glimt).

Forwards: Josip Ilicic (Maribor), Andraz Sporar (Panathinaikos), Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig), Zan Celar (Lugano), Jan Mlakar (Pisa), Zan Vipotnik (Bordeaux).

Slovenia manager

Matjaz Kek

Matjaz Kek was appointed Slovenia coach for the second time in 2018. His first stint saw him guide his country to the World Cup in 2010, where they beat Algeria, drew with the USA and lost to England.

The former defender won a single cap for his country as a tough-tackling defender and also played in Austria before returning home and winning the league with Maribor.

Since retiring from playing in 1999, he has won both the Slovenian league and cup with Maribor and did the same with Croatian club Rijeka before resigning from that role in October 2018 and taking on the national team the following month.

Slovenia captain

Jan Oblak

Atletico Madrid stalwart Jan Oblak has been one of Europe's standout goalkeepers over the last decade and is his country's talisman.

He had to bide his time, with former Inter stopper Samir Handanovic wearing the gloves and often captaining the side until his international retirement in 2015.

'El Guardian' has been first choice ever since and will be desperate to ensure his major tournament debut goes smoothly.

Slovenia key players

Benjamin Sesko

Could Benjamin Sesko be the striker Slovenia has been waiting for? The 20-year-old is a product of the Red Bull system, emerging at Salzburg before transferring to Leipzig last summer.

Rangy yet skilful, Sesko netted five times in qualifying and with several top clubs still to truly settle on a number nine for the next decade, he may play his way towards another big move.

Slovenia's youngest-ever goalscorer, Sesko has a chance to kick on from his debut Bundesliga season and show just how good he can be.

Jaka Bijol

Jaka Bijol will marshal his country's defence and could be busy with his side expected to sit deep and look for counter-attacking opportunities.

However, his previous experience of playing in midfield means he is well-suited to spraying long-range passes, so much so that he usually features as the ball-playing spare man in Udinese's back three.

Slovenia tend to play a back four but he has had no issues adapting his game to fit his country's shape and his passing range will be vital in ensuring his team's defence and attack do not become disconnected.

Andraz Sporar

Before Sesko, there was Panathinaikos' Andraz Sporar, who has proved a consistent, although not always prolific, scoring presence wherever he has been.

Sporar scored three goals in qualifying, an improvement on his international average of a goal every five games at international level.

Like Oblak, Sporar has lived through international disappointments and will be determined to ensure that his one and only major tournament appearance is a successful one.

Slovenia one to watch

Zan Vipotnik

Slovenia's youngest-ever goalscorer behind Sesko, Zan Vipotnik has scored twice in nine caps and is likely to feature as an impact sub in Germany.

The forward moved to Bordeaux last summer and has had a decent first season in Ligue 2.

Another bustling striker, the 22-year-old has the attributes to make an impact off the bench and even break into the side. 

Slovenia All-time Euros record

Year	Performance
1996	Did not qualify
2000	Group stage
2004-2020	Did not qualify

Slovenia's Euro 2024 prospects

Despite qualifying automatically, the draw has done Slovenia few favours, with them set to face the side that finished above them in qualifying, Denmark, in their opening game, which they are 15/4 to win, before further Group C dates with Serbia and England.

All have their issues, with the Danes struggling for goals, the Serbs often qualify well but struggle to replicate their form at major tournaments, while England look short at the back. However, that trio still look significantly stronger than Kek's side and their wait for a first knockout tie could continue.

Slovenia Euro 2024 odds

• To Win Outright - 250/1
• To Reach Final - 80/1
• To Reach Semi-Final - 28/1
• To Reach Quarter-Final - 7/1
• Group Betting - 10/1
• Group Qualification Yes - 5/4
• Group Qualification No - 4/7

Check out our betting hubs for our Euros winner betting odds.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.