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The Slovenian squad for Euro 2024 through the dance of football numbers: The daily form of a giant that can be a key to success

Published on 10. June 2024 10. June 2024

Photo: Enej Peternel & Nik Moder / Sportida

Matjaž Kek has made his decision. The 26 jerseys that will go down in history forever were handed out last weekend. But who will defend the colors of the Slovenian national team? And what does this mean for our team from a statistical standpoint? In collaboration with SloStats, we have invited all 26 players who are heading to Euro 2024 to join the dance of numbers. We start with the goalkeepers.

As usual, coaches take three goalkeepers to the tournament, and coach Matjaž Kek is no exception. This is a position on the field where Slovenia has practically never had issues. For many years, our goalkeepers have been among the best. The goalkeeping team representing Slovenia at this European Championship includes Jan Oblak, Vid Belec, and Igor Vekić. Matevž Vidovšek was left out before the departure to Wuppertal.

JAN OBLAK (65 appearances)

There’s no need to say much about the goalkeeper who has been at the top of his position in the world for the last decade, and it will be no different at the European Championship. The first-choice goalkeeper and captain of the Slovenian national team, who recorded his 28th clean sheet (matches without conceding a goal when the goalkeeper played at least 60 minutes) in a friendly match against Portugal, accounting for 43.7% of his international appearances, will be one of the key players for Matjaž Kek’s squad alongside striker Benjamin Šeško. His daily form can be crucial to Slovenia’s success, as his undeniable qualities can keep the team in the game much longer.

🧤Jan Oblak for Atletico Madrid in the 2023/24 season – all competitions

54 matches played
4950 minutes
2.85 saves per 90 minutes
70.4% save percentage
16 clean sheets

🤔 INTERESTING FACT

A stat that says a lot about the captain of the Slovenian team: In 333 matches in the top Spanish league, he has kept 160 clean sheets, which means that in 48% of the games, opponents have failed to score against him.

VID BELEC (21 appearances)

Vid Belec has been part of the national team for ten years and is well acquainted with its workings and environment. Often criticized for not performing better, it’s important to remember that he always steps into the very large shoes of Jan Oblak and the Slovenian captain. There aren’t many goalkeepers in the world who could do as well or better than Jan Oblak. Vid Belec’s international career brings additional experience to the Slovenian goalkeeping position.

🧤Vid Belec for APOEL in the 2023/24 season – Cypriot First Division

36 matches
3240 minutes
1.92 saves per 90 minutes
0.7 goals conceded per match
76.1% save percentage
18 clean sheets

🤔 INTERESTING FACT

Vid had a successful season, remaining unbeaten in 18 of 36 matches in the Cypriot league and winning another title for APOEL, the most successful club in Cyprus. In total, he has played 118 matches in two spells with the team, keeping 56 clean sheets and averaging only 0.78 goals conceded per match.

IGOR VEKIĆ (1 appearance for the B team)

The only dilemma for the coaching staff was the position of the third goalkeeper. In the end, Igor Vekić earned his spot, having played his first match for the Slovenian national team in an unofficial friendly against the USA in January. Unlike Oblak and Belec, he has already experienced playing in a European Championship. In 2021, he played in all three matches of the home U21 European Championship, where he justified the trust of coach Milenko Aćimović and left a very good impression. Last season, Igor Vekić made only one appearance in the Danish league and three in the cup competition for Vejle.

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🤔 INTERESTING FACT

He caught attention while playing for Bravo, where he kept 23 clean sheets in 67 matches in the Prva Liga Telemach. He made his debut on the big stage at the U21 European Championship, making 15 saves in three matches.