From Domžale to Istanbul and Euro 2024 – Jure Balkovec reveals the background of the historic day in an interview for Football Planet: “After that final whistle, I think many people felt a huge relief”
Photo: Alanyaspor
On Thursday, when activities in Slovenia slowed down considerably due to the cultural holiday, Football Planet had a visit from Slovenian national team player Jure Balkovec. Our journalist Nik Brumen had a conversation with the quick-witted full-back, who also excels in attacking actions, touching on numerous interesting topics. From how long he will continue playing on the Turkish Riviera, where he is a member of the top-league club Alanyaspor, to whether he believes he can be the first choice for coach Matjaž Kek in the upcoming Euro 2024. Jure Balkovec revealed many interesting details in the 20-minute interview; you can read the interview below, and at the very bottom of the post, you can also watch his conversation with our journalist.
In the current season, you scored two goals, and they are goals worth watching multiple times. Is instinct or courage needed for a full-back to take such responsibility? Or perhaps a combination of both?
Regarding my goals, it also involves a certain trust from the coach and teammates that I can afford a shot from a greater distance. Some teammates have known me for one, two, or even three years and sometimes ‘look for me.’ There’s no hard feelings if, for example, a long shot doesn’t succeed. It’s a confidence that teammates and the coach give you. As for free kicks, it’s almost the same. Fortunately, over the years, I’ve proven that I can be dangerous, so the coach designates you for taking free kicks.
You have been playing in Turkey for quite some time. Before that, you gained experience in Italy. Are there any differences between the football played in Turkey and on the Italian Peninsula?
As many people know, especially those who analyze football thoroughly, Italian football is based on a certain tactical discipline. When it comes to defense or the phase without the ball, there’s no leniency. Discipline is really at a high level. Here in Turkey, generally speaking, there is more freedom, leading to a more open game, more counterattacks, and one-on-one play against opponents in more open space. There are certainly some differences. However, in terms of quality, it would make sense to compare the Italian Serie B and the first Turkish league. The Turkish league is, of course, at a higher level, especially due to the big clubs.
Are there any similarities in the environment where you currently train or live compared to what you experienced in Italy?
I lived in southern Italy, in Bari. I can draw a parallel with warm weather. Even now, I am on the south coast, this time in Alanya, Turkey. As for Istanbul, where I lived before, it is extremely difficult to compare it with any European city because it is a true metropolis. I think it is now a 20-million city. Sometimes it took me an hour and 15 minutes instead of 15 minutes to get from training. The culture also differs, of course.
Your contract with the current employer expires at the end of the season. Have you already thought about what’s next?
The extension of the contract depends only on how we will agree, if we agree at all. It also depends on whether a new contract will be offered to me. We are not discussing it at the moment. Currently, all attention in the club is focused on the fight for survival. I assume that if we start negotiating, we will sit at the same table towards the end of the current season.
The Slovenian national team managed to qualify for Euro 2024 at the end of 2023. Did you feel that interest in Slovenian footballers increased after that, and consequently, for you?
Honestly, I haven’t personally felt that way. At least not for now. In general, this January transfer window was not as chaotic as in many years before. However, the European Championship will be an excellent stage for all of us to showcase ourselves and attract attention from more clubs.
How did the club react to Slovenia qualifying for the Euro? Was anyone perhaps even surprised by the success?
Anyone who closely follows football, looking at the list of our national team, knows what a quality team it is, especially with Jan Oblak at the helm. I definitely got the feeling that our success was not a big surprise. But my teammates were genuinely happy for me. The coach personally congratulated me. Everyone understands that it is also very positive for the club to have a player who has qualified for a major competition.
You didn’t play in the last match against Kazakhstan. How did you perceive and experience that day? What was going through your mind before, during, and after the match? You probably all realized what you had achieved only after a few days.
Without a doubt, the match against Kazakhstan was something special, whether you started or were on the bench. In a previous match, when there wasn’t so much at stake, sitting on the bench was not the same feeling. But here I felt the same as if I were on the field with the guys. Full of adrenaline and expectations. In essence, the day really dragged on. The match was late. We all really couldn’t wait for everything to start and end the way we wanted. After that final whistle, I think everyone felt a huge relief. After the match, we, the guys with whom I think we are a really good team from the first to the last, genuinely celebrated.
In the position of the left full-back, Erik Janža established himself towards the end of the cycle, and occasionally Žan Karničnik also plays there. How do you view the competition, and what do you think, how does healthy competition affect the national team?
I have mentioned in several interviews that competition is only and only good. That is, how things are done in training, what level of aggressiveness is present. Competition has really contributed incredibly to all of us being at a high level. Whoever played in the first team, it was very challenging for the opponent. Regarding Erik and especially Žan, with whom I have known each other since high school, we are really good friends, a real clique. Sometimes it’s even a joke in the national team that the three of us full-backs hang out the most. It’s true that we all want to play in the starting lineup, but in the end, the coach decides.
As you mentioned, the coach is the one who chooses the starting lineup. Do you think you can be the coach’s first choice in the left full-back position at this year’s Euro?
I think it would be wrong not to think so. I am working on being as well-prepared as possible in the club to play a lot and finish this season in the rhythm as it has been for the last few months: with regular playing. That way, I will be best prepared for the European Championship. I hope the same is true for every player in our national team, and that the coach has sweet worries because of it. Because then, no matter how he decides, the eleven on the field will be incredibly strong.
The Euro draw gave us opponents with whom we have historical stories. In the squads of our opponents at the European Championship, is there a player you would especially like to play against?
It will undoubtedly be special. I can’t say that I would like to play only one match because every match at the European Championship will be something special. However, with each opponent, you can find some motivation. Denmark, of course, for revenge, to give them back what happened in the qualifying group. Serbia, as part of the former Yugoslavia, are positive rivals. As for England, it is one of the best, if not the best team currently. In each of these three teams, there is definitely some motivation to achieve a positive result. I am looking forward to playing against Bellingham, as I believe he is currently one of the best players.
Do you believe that this generation can take another step forward and perhaps qualify for the next World Cup in 2026?
Although there is a lot of talk that this group was easy, it was everything but that. Precisely because of this equality, we had to suffer until the last moment, despite having 22 points on the account. And that’s where the biggest strength of this team, this character, comes into play. We beat or at least drew against big national teams. So, I am not afraid for this team or national team in the future.
You ventured abroad from Domžale. Do you still follow the Prva liga Telemach, and are you still in touch with anyone from that generation?
Of course, I follow Domžale; they are a significant part of my career. Although now, after six years, there are probably one or two left with whom I shared the dressing room back then. Still, we are still in touch with everyone; for example, Miha Blažič is also a teammate in the national team. So, it’s easier, but I definitely follow them. It’s nice to follow the club when you know that it has given you a lot and that I am where I am today because of them.
The Turkish Super Cup was supposed to be played in Saudi Arabia. If it were played in Turkey, we believe it would be a real spectacle. Do you think that playing the super cup abroad diminishes its meaning, or does football lose its charm with this?
At first glance, I would definitely say yes. However, everything definitely starts and ends with money. As for these super cups, I don’t think it’s a big mistake if the super cup is played elsewhere. I think they are not at the forefront of clubs and leagues in terms of importance. So, as long as it remains with super cups, it doesn’t bother me. I would definitely leave domestic leagues and cups at home, not to mention the Champions League. This is not a condition for playing outside of Europe.
In this situation, your national team colleague Miha Zajc would find himself, but he is plagued by injuries. Would you make the same decision as the teams did in this situation?
If I am correctly informed, the bone of contention was that the anthem was not played, and there was something with warm-up shirts. Surely this is more related to Turkish culture and, of course, more to Turkish players. It’s hard to somehow identify with it. But my teammates are Turks, and of course, you support them as a teammate and as a friend. I definitely agree with what both teams did.
Are the Turks proud of their culture? How is this compared to us?
Definitely, that’s what we lack. As much as we talk about Croats and Serbs, that they have this belonging, I would put Turks in the same circle, of course. Here, before every match in the national championship, the anthem is played, which I think might be missing on Slovenian fields.
Throughout Europe, championships are entering that final phase. What are your personal goals and the team’s goals for the rest of this season?
The club’s goal is definitely survival. We will do everything to achieve that in the end. Even if I don’t extend my contract with the club, or if they don’t offer me a new one, the goal is to keep the club, teammates, and especially friends in the elite. It would be a black mark if I ended this episode in Alanya with relegation, so the first goal is, of course, to survive with the team. The personal goal is to play as much as possible and be as well-prepared as possible in June.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
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