M. Kekas: "Portugal deserves to take a step forward"

2024-07-02 15:23 © AP

The Slovenian national team fought well in the European Championship quarter-final match with Portugal on Monday, but ultimately lost in the penalty shootout to the 2016 continental champions.

After the painful defeat, Slovenian national team coach Matjaž Kek praised his team and acknowledged that the Portuguese deserved to advance to the quarter-finals.

"When you lose, you never rejoice. It hurts us, but at the same time this defeat is not so painful. I believe that this tournament will be a turning point for Slovenian football.

I want to congratulate the Portuguese. You need to know how to win and penalty shootouts. It's a shame that we have to go home.

Portugal controlled the match, but we managed to stay in it.

"I feel most sorry for our fans, but Portugal deserves to go further," said M. Kek.