Slovenia vs Denmark LIVE: Euro 2024 result and reaction as Janza grabs draw after emotional Eriksen goal
Slovenia 1-1 Denmark: Christian Eriksen scored a goal that tugged on the heartstrings in his first Euros appearance since collapsing on the pitch but Denmark could only earn a point
Slovenia fought back to earn a battling point against Denmark as Christian Eriksen was denied an emotional winner on his return to European Championship football.
Danish talisman Eriksen suffered a heart attack in their Euro 2020 opener against Finland, but looked to have set his side on course for victory three years on after finishing off a clever move from a throw-in on the right. Eriksen, who had to be brought back to life when he last featured in the Euros, was mobbed by his team mates after giving his side a 17th-minute lead.
But despite dominating possession, Denmark struggled to create clear openings, with Jan Oblak forced into only one save from a sliding Rasmus Hojlund. It left them vulnerable to a late Slovenia leveller, which arrived mere moments after striker Benjamin Sesko had struck the woodwork from distance: a bouncing ball was lashed into Morten Hjulmand by left-back Erik Janza, deflecting past a helpless Kasper Schmeichel in goal to earn Slovenia a 1-1 draw and a potentially valuable point.
Denmark, though, will have disappointed to have ceded a position of strength with tough fixtures against England and Serbia to come in Group C at Euro 2024.
Re-live all of the action from Denmark v Slovenia:
The lingering England questions that Euro 2024 opener against Serbia will answer
On Friday night, as Germany were setting a pace for their tournament by thrashing Scotland, Gareth Southgate gathered the England squad for a meeting. The theme of this was more reflective, almost a final mission statement before it all begins. Southgate spoke about the tournaments they’ve already been through and the lessons that his staff and senior players have taken. That’s more important than usual, given that 12 of the 26 have never even been in this situation before. Southgate did also point to how some elements from the past that have served England well can now be discarded.
That doesn’t really apply to opening games, though. England actually have a fine record in such matches under Southgate, that has actually improved with each tournament. In 2018, there was the late 3-1 win over Tunisia. In Euro 2020, there was a professional – and vengeful – victory over Croatia. In 2022, there was the 6-2 evisceration of Iran. England were almost the Germany of that tournament.
By Miguel Delaney in Gelsenkirchen
The lingering England questions that Euros opener against Serbia will answer
Euro 2024 is already developing into a tournament lit up by exciting young talent. Now it’s England’s turn as Gareth Southgate unleashes his new-look side on Sunday night
Slovenia vs Denmark team news and predicted line-ups
Team news
Slovenia have injury questions over Sandi Lovric and Benjamin Verbic, who might both contend to start in midfield if fit. Miha Blazic and Peter Stojanovic are also doubts.
Simon Kjaer has retained the captaincy for Euro 2024 but the veteran centre-half is unlikely to feature in every game, with Denmark well stocked at the back. Victor Nelsson was originally named in the squad but will miss the tournament through injury.
Predicted line-ups
Slovenia XI: Oblak; Karnicnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Janza; Horvat, Elsnik, Gnezda Cerin, Mlakar; Sporar, Sesko.
Denmark XI: Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard; Kristiansen, Hjulmand, Eriksen, Hojbjerg, Bah; Hojlund, Wind.
Police confirm person with ‘incendiary device’ shot near fanzone hours before Euro 2024 match
Breaking news:
German police have confirmed that one person has been shot and taken for medical treatment, after they threatened officers with an axe and an “incendiary device” in Hamburg, just two hours before the start of a Euro 2024 fixture in the city.
“At StPauli there is currently a major police operation,” read a statement on social media from Hamburg police. “According to initial findings, a person threatened police officers with a pickaxe and an incendiary device. The police then used their firearms. The attacker was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.”
More details here:
Police confirm person with ‘incendiary device’ shot near fanzone before Euros match
German police have confirmed that one person has been shot and taken for medical treatment, after they threatened officers with an axe and an “incendiary device” in Hamburg, just two hours before the start of a Euro 2024 fixture in the city.
Is Slovenia v Denmark on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euro 2024 match
When is Slovenia vs Denmark?
Slovenia vs Denmark is due to kick off at 5pm BST on Sunday 16 June at MHPArena in Stuttgart.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 4.10pm BST. A live stream will be available via ITVX.
Reports of police closing Reeperbahn close to fan zone in Hamburg
There are reports that riot police have moved in and detained or otherwise stopped a person with an axe at the Reeperbahn in Hamburg, where today’s opening match between Netherlands and Poland is taking place.
More to follow shortly.
Another Netherlands rebuild has gone wrong - can Cody Gakpo save them at Euro 2024?
As recently as 18 months ago, Netherlands were within a couple of penalty kicks of the World Cup semi-finals. It didn’t quite happen, the Battle of Lusail ending in shootout defeat for them against Argentina after an epic late comeback in 90 minutes, but the Dutch looked back.
Or back on the right path, at least, after missing the 2018 tournament and Euro 2016 altogether. In between those failures and their oh-so-close moment in Qatar, Euro 2020 wasn’t much better: a last-16 exit to Czech Republic was tame in the extreme.
The winter World Cup, then, was their comeback moment, the stage-setter for future Dutch improvements and a team which would grow together, progress in time-honoured national team fashion, become challengers once more. Euro 2024 was to be the tournament where they approached a peak.
Another Netherlands rebuild has gone wrong - can Gakpo save them at Euro 2024?
Ronald Koeman is without an entire potential midfield and the Liverpool forward has had a poor campaign himself
Poland vs Netherlands: Latest build-up
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, who has been dealing with his own injury issues before the game,
“Each individual player has his qualities, and it may change our approach somewhat. We know Lewandowski and his strengths,” Koeman said.
“I still expect them to play with two strikers and we have been analysing all their strikers. We know their attackers and what they can bring
“It is always important to start well in the first game and win and if you can do it in the way you set out to do, then that’s even better. It’s very important that we get a good result.”
Poland vs Netherlands: Latest build-up
Poland head coach Michal Probierz on the absence of Lewandowski:
“There’s nothing to hide, we will miss him. But other players will have to do what they can to get a result. I hope he will have other opportunities to play.”
Slovenia and Denmark open Group C ahead of England clash
Slovenia and Denmark will be looking to start Euro 2024 strongly as the two sides meet in Stuttgart.
The pair contest Group C with Serbia and England, who get their campaigns underway later on Sunday.
These two are familiar foes having progressed together from qualifying Group H, finishing level on 22 points and edging out Finland and Kazakhstan.
It is 14 years since Slovenia last appeared at a major tournament, but they showed their threat with a win over Portugal in March and may just fancy their chances against a side they know well.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Poland vs Netherlands: Latest build-up
Robert Lewandowski will be on the bench as Poland take on the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 opener in Hamburg, with his team-mates insisting they can still beat the Dutch without their injured talisman,
“It is a great pity Robert Lewandowski cannot help us in this match,” said midfielder and replacement captain Piotr Zielinski.
“He is a world-class player and we will miss him. But whether it is me or the team mates, we will add something extra to achieve the goal, which is to win.”
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