Slovenia vs Denmark EURO 2024 Group C Matchday 1 preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, possible line-ups

Slovenia and Denmark meet in their first match of UEFA EURO 2024 in Group C on Sunday 16 June.

Where to watch Slovenia vs Denmark on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA EURO 2024 broadcast partner(s) here. 

What do you need to know?

Slovenia are competing in their second EURO, having failed to win a game during their first attempt at UEFA EURO 2000 (D2 L1) – despite the efforts of Zlatko Zahovič, who scored three of their four finals goals. Matjaž Kek's side have good reason to be wary of opening-day opponents Denmark: they have not won in six senior meetings with the Danes (D1 L5), including a 1-1 draw and 2-1 defeat in qualifying for these finals. However, a team featuring Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak and impressive young Leipzig forward Benjamin Šeško will be no pushover.

Denmark's EURO 2020 campaign was a triumph in adversity. Creative midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in their opening match, Kasper Hjulmand's side going on to lose 1-0 to Finland. However, they squeezed through the group stage and made it as far as the semi-finals, before succumbing to England after extra time in London. EURO winners in 1992, the Danes will hope that Eriksen and his Manchester United team-mate, forward Rasmus Højlund, can help them achieve a more positive start this time.

Predicted line-ups

Slovenia: Oblak; Karničnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Janža; Stojanović, Elšnik, Gnezda Čerin, Mlakar; Šporar, Šeško

Denmark: Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard; Kristiansen, Hjulmand, Eriksen, Højbjerg, Bah; Højlund, Wind

Form guide

Slovenia:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DWWDWL

Denmark:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WWWDLW

Expert predictions

Grega Sever, Slovenia reporter

Slovenia will rely on the experience of their captain Jan Oblak in goal and the flair of their star striker Benjamin Šeško up front. Most importantly, they will count on their team spirit in their bid to upset Denmark in a match that is bound to set the tone in Group C. Slovenia will need to maintain discipline at both ends of the pitch for the full 90 minutes and take whatever chances come their way to record their first-ever win against the former European champions.

Sture Sandø, Denmark reporter

The whole Denmark team is excited to get going. They know how important it is to get off to a good start, as it sets the tone for the group phase. Hjulmand's team are arguably the favourites against Slovenia, and with matches against England and Serbia to come, this is a key game. I expect Denmark to take control with the ball. They will try to dominate the match, but they must watch out for Šeško and Andraž Šporar on the transitions that Slovenia will inevitably create.

What the coaches say

Matjaž Kek, Slovenia coach: "For a country with a small player base like Slovenia, it's important to create a strong and consistent line-up. This success is no coincidence and qualifying for EURO 2024 speaks for itself. The truth is, we are not seen as group favourites; instead, we’re seen as outsiders.

"Denmark are one of the top ten teams in Europe, many see them as dark horses for this EURO. They are the favourites, but we want to have our own winning mentality."

Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark coach: "The most important thing is that we are true to ourselves; that we play our football our way according to our philosophy. We have to be aggressive and dominant and watch out for the qualities in Slovenia's game. They are extremely good at turn-overs, particularly because of Šeško who is a bright star in European football. They have Oblak in goal and they have a good manager, who has been working with the team for a long time."