Slovenia are through to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time, and their assistant coach will be more relieved about that than anyone.
The smallest nation at Euro 2024 secured their spot in the last 16 with a 0-0 draw against England in Cologne, achieving the feat for the first time since they began competing for major tournaments in 1996.
Despite the game being a torrid watch, the scenes at full-time were certainly heart-warming, with the team mobbing captain and goalkeeper Jan Oblak after realising what they’d done.
However, no one was quite sure exactly what they’d done, with the other game in Group C, Denmark v Serbia, yet to conclude at the final whistle, although it eventually also finished 0-0.
Serbia were bottom, and thanks to results elsewhere, the third-placed team in the group was through to the last 16, but it was anyone’s guess if that was Slovenia or Denmark.
The teams had identical records of three points, two goals scored and two goals conceded, and they were even level on the next criteria for separating teams, their disciplinary record, with six yellow cards each.
Logically it would have dropped down to the next separation criteria, UEFA rankings, however, there was one yellow card that hadn’t been accounted for.
UEFA has since confirmed that a booking for Slovenia assistant Milivoje Novakovic in fact counts towards Slovenia’s disciplinary record, bumping them below Denmark and into third place.
Matjaz Kek’s assistant was cautioned by Clement Turpin during the match for his behaviour on the touchline.
The former striker, who was back in Cologne where he played from 2006 to 2014, ultimately got away with his transgression, as Slovenia, the third-best third-placed team, can only be overtaken by Czechia now, and would still go through with that eventuality.
The upshot of Group C’s sorting is that Denmark have their last 16 opponents set, and its host nation Germany. Slovenia, meanwhile, will face either Portugal or the winner of Group E.
Group E can be won by any one of Romania, Belgium, Slovakia or Ukraine, which would suggest Slovenia in fact got the easier tie by finishing third.
However, with the third spot shrouded in jeopardy, they’ll just be thankful they made it in the end.
News Summary:
- Denmark officially finished ahead of Slovenia in Group C due to bizarre unknown rule
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