The superiority of Slovenia and Denmark in the European Championship was historically decided based on the European Championship qualifying ranking. The duo played in the same qualifying group as Finland.
An unimaginable situation was seen at the European Football Championship when Denmark and Slovenia ended with equal points and identical statistics in all comparison categories.
The superiority of the countries had to be decided by the ranking of the EC qualifiers, on the basis of which Denmark took the second place in Group C ahead of Slovenia. Even the Finnish men’s national football team’s performances in the qualifying games had an effect on this.
Denmark and Slovenia already played in the EC qualifiers in the same qualifying group. Huuhkajat also participated in that group. Denmark and Slovenia ended up with equal points in the European Championship qualifiers. Denmark was number one in the qualifying group based on head-to-head games. In Slovenia, the teams drew 1–1, in Denmark the home team was stronger 2–1.
In that sense, Finland was also influencing the actual results outside the EC tournament, as Finland beat Slovenia 2–0 at home. It was Slovenia’s only point loss besides the Denmark games.
If Slovenia had won at Finland’s Olympic Stadium, it would have been number one in the qualifying group and thus passed Denmark in the first group of the actual European Championships.
Of course, Denmark also suffered point losses in the qualifiers, unexpectedly losing to Kazakhstan at home and away to Northern Ireland.
The European Championship qualifying rankings ended up being compared again in the European Championship, because Denmark and Slovenia played a mutual match in the European Championship tied 1-1, the goal difference in all preliminary group games was the same, the teams scored the same number of goals in the preliminary group games and their disciplinary points were exactly the same.
Both received six yellow cards in the initial group games. For the first time in the history of the European Championship, superiority was decided only on the basis of the qualifying ranking.
If two or more teams are tied in the EC Championship in the first group, the following rules apply
1. Scores of head-to-head matches
2. Goal difference between mutual matches
3. Goals scored in mutual matches
4. Goal difference in all matches
5. Goals scored in all matches
6. If no superiority has been found between the two teams at this point and they meet in the final round of the initial group, a penalty shootout will be held between the teams.
7. Smaller number of disciplinary points (1 point for a yellow card, 3 points for sending off with a straight red card or two yellow cards, 4 points for a yellow card followed by a straight red card)
8. A better ranking in the EC qualifying ranking
16.6. Slovenia–Denmark 1–1
20.6. Slovenia–Serbia 1–1, Denmark–England 1–1
25.6. England–Slovenia 0–0, Denmark–Serbia 0–0
Although Slovenia finished third in the group, they secured their place in the last 16 with a draw against England. In the European Championships of 24 teams, the best four out of the three groups from the top 16 can advance to the playoffs. Denmark qualified directly for second place.
Denmark will face Germany in the quarterfinals. Slovenia’s next opponent is still open.
Slovenia falling behind Denmark in a historic way, at least right after the game, didn’t shake terribly, but the team started a wild party after the draw against England.
Slovenia is playing in the European Championships for the second time in its history, but this is the first time it has reached the playoffs. In 2000, Slovenia drew twice and lost once. Then the end result was staying in the starting group.
However, in 2000 there were only 16 teams in the European Championships. Although Slovenia has now advanced to the playoffs, the team has amazingly never won a single European Championship.
Slovenian coach Matjaz Kekin according to the team deserves a place in the next games, because they have played against a big favorite like England.
– We were under pressure, but the small Slovenian national team was expected to suffer against a high-class team like England, Kek formulated after the match at the press conference.
– I emphasize the mental strength of our young team. They have shown their true side. You have to understand that the English play such games every third or fourth day. Many of our team do not have experience in high-stakes games.