Away 2014/16
Matchworn Kevin Kampl 14.11.15 UKR 🇺🇦 : SVN 🇸🇮 2-0
Manufacturer: Nike
Source: Collector
THE COUNTRY
The small Central European country of Slovenia in some way fittingly represents Europe as a whole:
The moderate climate and beautiful Alpine scenery in the north, the lush forests and vineyards in the east, and the Mediterranean coasts in the southwest are a perfect summary of what can be expected of the average European country.
“Average” is also a great cue to describe the countries footballing performance. Having had their most successful period from 2000 to 2010, with team qualifying for the 2002 and 2010 World Cup, as well as the EURO 2000, the subsequent years were hallmarked by a steady decline. In 2021, however, the team was able to win their Nations League group, enabling them to get promoted to group B, where they will face Sweden, Norway and Serbia.
THE SHIRT
Just as their Croatian neighbors chequered shirts, Slovenia’s jerseys are marked by a recurring design feature: a stylized depiction of Triglav, the country’s highest mountain, which is featured prominently on the front of the shirt.
Even if it doesn't look quite as spectacular as the blue home jersey, it's still one of the best Nike designs of the 2010s.
For reasons unknown, the Slovenians have always worn this jersey without front numbers – probably because it was difficult to find a high-contrast number design that would stand out from the colorful pattern on the chest.
However, the match against Ukraine, from which this jersey originates, was the only time the team wore match details below the V-neck.
The jersey was worn by RB Leipzig midfielder Kevin Kampl, whose career I followed his from his youth days at my favorite club Bayer 04 Leverkusen up until he finally made a total of 53 competitive appearances for the Leverkuseners before moving to the German home of the energy drink of the same name.
