UEFA president congratulates Slovenia

UEFA president Michel Platini has congratulated the Football Association of Slovenia (NZS) on its 90th anniversary.

In a message to mark the NZS's anniversary celebrations, Mr Platini welcomed Slovenia's footballing achievements since becoming a member of the international football family. Slovenia's national team qualified for UEFA EURO 2000, as well as the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cups. The UEFA president was unable to attend the Slovenian festivities in person because of adverse weather conditions.

Addressing guests, who included Slovenia's president Danilo Türk and the chairman of the Slovenian parliament Pavel Gantar, Mr Platini said that Slovenia's geographical position and rich history had most likely helped its football display a mixture of the qualities of the Danubian, Balkan and Latin parts of Europe

"Over 90 years of history and 20 years of political independence," said the UEFA president, "Slovenian football has imposed itself on the international football stage with two World Cup appearances and one appearance in a EURO final round – this is a quite exceptional achievement.
 
"These successes are the fruit of the serious work and meritorious efforts of the Slovenian association," he added. "I know that the training of young players is at the heart of the concerns of the football leaders in this country, which is resolutely turned towards the future.

"Slovenian football's place on the European football stage depends greatly on the quality of the education undertaken within your training structures," Mr Platini told the NZS. "You can rest assured that UEFA will be at your side, in the future as it has been in the past, to support your development projects. I wish Slovenian football a prosperous and glorious future."