The battle in Copenhagen ended in Danish jubilation: Slovenia fought but lost, the Euro 2024 will be decided on Monday
Photo: Nik Moder / Slovenia
Slovenia fought heroically, but the ticket for Euro 2024 was left without an official sealim Kobenhavn. It remained unconfirmed, with the hosts Denmark qualifying for Euro 2024 on Friday night at the Parken Stadium. They were, hand on heart, a (much) better opponent, and their victory is not to be taken in the teeth. The home team actually outplayed the visitors and more than deservedly made it to the final tournament.
Denmark played, was more enterprising and more dangerous, so it has to be acknowledged that they were a step (or two) higher than Slovenia, and congratulations to them. But there is no need to mourn. Nothing is lost. Slovenia remains in second place in Group H, which also leads to the tournament in Germany. But now the devil has finally taken the joke away, now everything will be decided in the last 90 minutes. Win or draw – Euro 2024! Defeat against Kazakhstan? Shattered dreams…
Although they were weakened, the Danes quickly proved that they still have a lot of quality. In fact, they immediately pushed the Slovenian opponent into their own half and then more often than not kept pressure on the goal defended by Jan Oblak until the break. Slovenia was virtually invisible in attack or hardly took any offensive action. The moments when she had the ball in her feet were rare. Very rare. Defensively, the visitors were disciplined for a while, but quickly became too distracted.
Denmark launched increasingly dangerous attacks, in 22. Kek’s boys were lucky – the referee ruled a foul in the attack. But four minutes later, there was no one to save the too-united Slovenian national team. After a pass from the left wing, Jonas Wind got a jump between Miho Blažič and Jake Bijol, extended the ball to Joakim Mæhle, who stretched his leg in time to checkmate the helpless Oblak.
The end of the Slovenian dream? Let’s be honest. It already seemed so. But…
But Slovenia’s blow to Denmark was expressly fast and simply remarkable. After less than half an hour, Žan Vipotnik scored a free kick on the edge of the penalty area, and the ball was cleared by masterful shot of Erik Janža, the unexpected hero, sent the ball behind Kasper Schmeichl’ s back with a left-footed shot! What a masterpiece, what a moment for one of the most beautiful goals in the history of the Slovenian national team!
Slovenia’s quick strike back shocked Denmark. The packed Parken stadium fell silent, only Slovenian fans could be heard. The image on the lawn was fitting. Denmark was no longer so dominant, Slovenia regained its composure and the first half ended 1:1.
It looked like Slovenia could play for a while, but…
Denmark was more enterprising than Slovenia in the second half, but never found the right rhythm. The boys in blue have really struggled, but this time they simply made too many mistakes. This was also the case in 54. in the second minute, when Slovenia’s net was hit for the second time. After a ping pong game in their penalty area, the Slovenians had several chances to clear the ball, but they didn’t. They chanted and booed, which the hosts took advantage of and scored. After a ball towards the five-metre area, Jannik Vestergaard, with Miha Blažič by his side, extended the ball to Thomas Delaney, who was all alone and had no problem to increase the home team’s lead to 2:1.
Although, at least at first glance, there was more than enough time for another equaliser, the fact is that Denmark more often than not clipped the Slovenian wings with the second goal. They were in no mood to play on the offensive anyway, and when their net was hit a second time, it seemed that the teams could have played for a while longer and the result would not have changed. Slovenia was not concrete enough, not brave enough in attack, and Denmark was also quite content with an otherwise minimal lead.
The score remained the same for the rest of the match. 24 years after the Kiev rally the Slovenian national team leaves Copenhagen with their heads bowed. Defeated. But not crushed. Monday is a new day. Monday will be a day for celebration!
This text was automatically translated using AI.
Author: editorial Football Planet
Euro2024
National Team
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