Slovenia (SLO)

Slovenia arrive at the Women’s EHF EURO 2024 with a rejuvenated line-up, following a string of retirements of players who led the side for many years — including in the historic EHF EURO 2022 campaign. Two years ago, when they co-hosted the championship with Montenegro and North Macedonia, Slovenia beat eventual runners-up Denmark on their way to an eighth-place finish, which was their best result ever in the competition.

In 2024, Slovenia made their Olympic debut after beating EHF EURO 2022 bronze medalists — and head coach Dragan Adžić’s native country — Montenegro, in the decisive match of the qualification tournament in Germany. Slovenia ultimately finished bottom of their group in Paris, but just being at the Olympic Games already marked a new milestone for the team.

Since the appointment of Adžić as head coach in 2021, Slovenia have been steadily making progress. Adžić led Buducnost and the Montenegrin women’s national team to huge successes a decade ago, and the experienced coach is eager to guide Slovenia on a similar path. 

However, Slovenia will have some big changes to adjust to at the EHF EURO 2024. The national team’s all-time top scorer and long-time captain Ana Gros retired following the Olympic Games, along with stalwarts Tamara Mavsar, Barbara Lazović, Alja Varagić and Amra Pandžić. In addition, big names like Elizabeth Omoregie and Valentina Klemenčič will not participate. Several players, led by left back Tjaša Stanko, will therefore be stepping up to more responsibility as the team takes the court in Innsbruck.

Slovenia have a gap to close to Europe’s elite teams, as proven by their two massive defeats in the qualifiers against France — 35:20 at home, 41:22 away. Facing defending champions Norway, co-hosts Austria, and Slovakia in preliminary round group E will require the most from Adžić’s team.