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EURO 2024: Underdog Slovenia Aim for Glory versus Portugal
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Midfielder Adam Gnezda Cerin declares that Slovenia is not settling for just reaching the last 16 at Euro 2024 as they gear up to clash with Portugal on Monday.
A nail-biting goalless draw against England in their final Group C match propelled Slovenia forward as one of the four best third-placed teams. This marks a historic moment, their first knockout phase in a major competition.
"This is a groundbreaking moment for the Slovenian national team and Slovenia as a whole," said Gnezda Cerin. "We have our sights set high, and tomorrow's match will be a spectacle for everyone to enjoy—these are the games you dream about as a kid."
But make no mistake, Slovenia isn't just here for the ride. "We’re not done yet," he asserted. "We're going to give it everything we’ve got."
Slovenia, making only their second appearance in the European Championship, managed to draw all three of their group matches, showing grit and determination.
"We're ready for Portugal," declared Gnezda Cerin, who plies his trade with Panathinaikos. "They’re an incredibly talented team, capable of causing problems all over the pitch."
Portugal, despite a 2-0 slip-up against Georgia in their final group game, topped Group F. With a rich history of at least reaching the quarter-finals in five of the last six European Championships and a trophy in 2016, they are a formidable force.
But Slovenia has already shown they can handle the heat, stunning Portugal 2-0 in a friendly in March, ending Portugal's 11-game winning streak.
Midfielder Bruno Fernandes admits that loss has put Portugal "on their toes" for the Frankfurt showdown at 20:00 BST.
"We can’t dwell on the past. We need to focus on what’s ahead," said Fernandes. "We respect every opponent. This Slovenian team has some serious talent and we take them very seriously.
"After a setback, it’s easy to fixate on the negatives, but that’s football. We're ready to rise to the challenge."
Prepare for a thrilling encounter as Slovenia aims to continue their fairytale run and Portugal looks to reassert their dominance. This is football at its finest.