Euro 2024 Day 7 preview: Danes braced for England challenge

Slovenia head into their Euro 2024 match against Serbia in confident mood after their late equaliser against Denmark, but are braced for quality opponents who deserved more from their opening game, coach Matjaz Kek said on Wednesday.

The former Yugoslav states meet in Munich on Thursday in their second game of Group C, where Serbia sit bottom of the standings behind Denmark and Slovenia on one point each, behind England on three.

"Serbia, after having watched the second half of their match, deserved more from the match against England. After every match you lose you try to find a way to get those points and to plan for the next round," Kek said.

England beat Serbia 1-0 but endured a nervy second half.

"Slovenia were not a favourite in this group. They still aren't, although we played very well against Denmark in the second half. But this momentum will have to be carried on into tomorrow's match," Kek said.

"I know it will be a very high hurdle and a great challenge."

The timing of the match with a kickoff of 1300 GMT is less than ideal, Kek said, with temperatures expected to soar to 27 degrees Celsius in Munich.

"Eleven players will not be enough because of the high tempo, because of the aggressiveness," he said.

"The one who will be braver, who will believe in their abilities more will have more chances to win the match. We will try to do this in our own way."

Slovenia are participating in their second European Championship, 24 years after their first. Serbia are playing in the tournament for the first time as an independent nation.

"I want my team to have respect for the opponent. We are aware of the quality of the Serbian team, of the quality of their manager," Kek said. "They haven't been at the Euros in a very long time."

Kek