Slovenians conquer draw

Slovenia v Denmark LIVE from 6pm

Christian Eriksen's emotional goal (second from right) was not enough to win in the end.

(Bild: AFP/APA/MIGUEL MEDINA)

Slovenia and Denmark drew 1-1 in the opening match of Group C at the EURO in Germany. After an emotional goal by Christian Eriksen, the Danes failed to bring about a preliminary decision. In the end, they were punished by Erik Janza's equalizer. 

The duel between Denmark and Slovenia gave the fans a 1:1 (1:0) on Sunday and thus the first draw of the European Football Championship in Germany. The Danes were unable to hold on to their lead in Stuttgart through Christian Eriksen (17) exactly three years and four days after his cardiac arrest in the European Championship match against Finland. The Slovenians, who woke up late, managed a somewhat fortunate equalizer through Erik Janza (77).

It was a one-sided picture of Danish dominance in the first few minutes. The offense around ex-Sturm legionnaire Rasmus Höjlund recorded several threatening ball actions in the penalty area, but remained unrewarded for the time being. The Danes struck just after Benjamin Sesko's long-range shot had fizzed inches past the Danish goal out of nowhere (16'). After a throw-in, Jonas Wind sent in a cross for the incoming Eriksen, who shot in unstoppably from the edge of the area.

Danes miss decision
Slovenia, who were without Austrian champions Jon Gorenc Stankovic and Tomi Horvat for the time being, became more active, looking for their salvation mainly in long passes to the forwards Sesko and Andraz Sporar. The Scandinavians promptly looked vulnerable in a number of quick transition situations, but coach Matjaz Kek's team, who were too imprecise or ran offside, were unable to capitalize.

Kasper Hjulmand

(Bild: Associated Press)

The Danes remained more concrete. A pinball in the five almost ended in a Slovenian own goal, only moments later Jannik Vestergaard headed the ball wide (29'). Shortly before the break, a shot from the omnipresent Eriksen went well wide of Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak (43).

Goal against was on the cards
Denmark carried their superiority into the second half, with the Slovenians twice unsuccessfully appealing for penalties (51st, 52nd). However, it took a few minutes before the first big chance was created, Höjlund failing to beat Oblak from close range after a pass from Victor Kristiansen (65). Slovenia could do little in the face of their precarious situation, with only a Sporar volley from a free-kick causing any danger for a long time (74').

At the start of the final quarter of an hour, Kek Gorenc threw Stankovic into the action and shortly afterwards the Slovenians were back in the game. Sesko first made the bar tremble (76'), but the next action made it 1:1. Ex-Admiran Morten Hjulmand deflected Janza's hammer from the edge of the penalty area beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. With renewed vigor, Slovenia suddenly pressed for the decision, but Sporar's attempt landed in the side netting (79'). The 2021 European Championship semi-finalists looked shocked by the missed opportunities, but there was no real final offensive - and so the game remained tied.