Slovenia manager Matjaz Kek was proud that his players had created a culture that would help the national team build for the future.
The team suffered a heartbreaking exit from Euro 2024 in a 3-0 shootout loss to Portugal in the last-16 on Monday.
Slovenia’s three penalties saved by goalkeeper Diogo Costa spelled the end of their tournament after an excellent defensive effort saw them hold Portugal to a 0-0 draw after extra time.
“Of course, they’re sad today, and this confirms my viewpoint,” Kek said. “It would be pathetic to speak about how they are heroes and so on and so forth.
“No, those are players who have created a national team culture that we have been missing in Slovenia.
“They have proven themselves, even those who are not playing the games, what it means to be playing for the Slovenian national team.
“I am the smallest character in this team. You have no idea what a privilege it is to be leading such a national team and that we can play the biggest teams in Europe and the world,”he said.
Striker Benjamin Sesko had two one-on-one scoring chances in the first 90 minutes, the first he scuffed wide and the second saved by Costa will surely long torment the 21-year-old.
Slovenia, who is 51 places below Portugal in FIFA’s global rankings, sputtered in the shootout with Costa saving spot kicks from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic.