Slovenias football team an excellent promotion for Slovenia

Slovenia`s matches at the World Cup attracted great attention around the world. This is demonstrated by Google search statistics and by the numbers of visits to Slovenia`s national tourism portal www.slovenia.info. The Slovenian Tourist Board organised three promotional events in South Africa and the Government Public Relations and Media Office issued Slovenia fans with special supporters` packs.

Around 1,500 Slovenia supporters were in South Africa to cheer on the team. The Government Public Relations and Media Office issued Slovenia fans with special supporters` packs with the `I feel Slovenia` logo and the football mascot Trigi. The Slovenian Tourist Board organised three promotional events in South Africa, one of which (on 18 June) was devoted to Slovenian tourism. This was followed by an open day (on 20 June) and a special event featuring members of the Slovenia team (2 June).
The first of three major events designed to present Slovenia and Slovenian tourism during the World Cup in South Africa took place on 18 June, the day of Slovenia`s match with the USA. The reception was attended by 100 representatives of the media, tour operators, travel agencies and other representatives of the tourism sector, who had the opportunity to sample traditional Slovenian dishes, including potica, and Slovenian wines. Those attending the reception were addressed by the Honorary Consul of Slovenia in South Africa Dr Prieur du Plessis, Slovenian Tourist Board director Dimitrij Piciga, Slovenian Football Association president Ivan Simič and the President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Danilo Türk.
Although Slovenia did not manage to reach the last sixteen (Results of the matches: Slovenia–Algeria, 1:0, USA–Slovenia, 2:2, England–Slovenia, 1:0), on their return home Slovenia`s football heroes were given a fantastic reception by an enthusiastic crowd of 10,000 in Ljubljana`s Prešeren Square.

`Even more united than before,` said Slovenia manager Matjaž Kek on landing at Ljubljana Airport, adding that this will not be the last time that half the world trembles before little Slovenia.

`We are proud of our achievements in South Africa and, above all, of the fact that we united Slovenia during the World Cup. Thank you to our supporters for this wonderful reception,` said Slovenia captain Robert Koren to the waiting crowd.

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