Cyprus has fallen too! Slovenian youth team still top of Group H with one game to go in the EP qualifiers
Photo: Blaž Weindorfer / Sportida
Slovenia U21 is just 90 minutes away from making history by qualifying for the European Championship after Milenko Aćimović’s team deservedly defeated Cyprus in Fazanerija stadium.
The match ended 2-0 in favor of the hosts, who were significantly better and could have easily scored two or three more goals. Slovenia U21, which has never qualified for a major tournament through qualification (they only participated when they hosted), currently leads Group H. However, it’s too early to predict exactly what they will need next month to secure qualification.
What’s most important at this moment is that Slovenia has defeated Cyprus, retained their top spot, and will control their destiny in the final round against Austria. If they finish with the same points as France, who beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, they will be behind the French due to a worse head-to-head record.
But if Slovenia defeats Austria in Wiener Neustadt next month, they will at least secure a place in the playoffs and might even qualify directly as one of the best second-placed teams. It’s also crucial that France and Austria will face each other on the final matchday when Slovenia will be idle. That result could greatly influence Aćimović’s squad’s fate.
In Fazanerija, with both senior national team coach Matjaž Kek and reigning Slovenian champion coach Albert Riera in attendance, Slovenia dominated Cyprus, scoring a goal in each half. The first came in the 27th minute when a free kick by Svit Sešlar was awkwardly deflected into the net by Cyprus forward Nikolas Koutsakos.
Slovenia continued to create chances but couldn’t double their lead until the 84th minute. Cypriot goalkeeper Panagiotis Kyriakou mishandled a bicycle kick attempt by Nejc Gradišar, and the ball bounced to Tio Cipot, who coolly smashed it into the top corner for his sixth goal of the qualifiers, keeping Slovenia on top of Group H.
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
National Team
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