Etien Velikonja: Portugal could surprise, Brazil remains a favorite

Football analyst Etien Velikonja has shared his insights on his new role in television commentary and his anticipation for the upcoming World Cup. Velikonja, who previously played professionally, finds his current work with Arena Sport to be largely as expected, involving extensive preparation, analysis, and coordination before and during broadcasts.

"The work of a professional associate is quite similar to what I imagined – following many matches, a lot of preparation, analysis, and coordination before and during the broadcast," Velikonja stated. "Appearing on camera, which viewers can see, is only a small part of the entire process. I would hardly say that anything has truly surprised me. Rather, I am impressed by the number of people behind the final product and the team's cohesion. Teamwork and coordination ensure that everything runs smoothly."

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The work of a professional associate is quite similar to what I imagined – following many matches, a lot of preparation, analysis, and coordination before and during the broadcast. Appearing on camera, which viewers can see, is only a small part of the entire process. I would hardly say that anything has truly surprised me. Rather, I am impressed by the number of people behind the final product and the team's cohesion. Teamwork and coordination ensure that everything runs smoothly.

When asked about his allegiances for the World Cup, Velikonja revealed his dual support. "When our national team is not at the World Cup, nostalgia from the time of Ronaldo (R9) always draws me to the Brazilians. But this time, I will also be rooting for my quiet favorites – the Portuguese," he said. He acknowledged the World Cup's status as a major global event that captures the attention of a wide audience, not just dedicated football fans.

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When our national team is not at the World Cup, nostalgia from the time of Ronaldo (R9) always draws me to the Brazilians. But this time, I will also be rooting for my quiet favorites – the Portuguese.

Velikonja highlighted the challenge of providing analysis that is both expert enough for enthusiasts and understandable for a broader audience. "The World Cup is the biggest football event, as it connects people from all over the world, including those who do not regularly follow football. Therefore, the analysis must be professional enough for the biggest fans, while also being understandable to a wider audience. This is, of course, a difficult challenge, as a 'football movie' plays in your head during the broadcast, and at the same time, you are thinking about using the right words at the right moment. It has become easier over time, and the well-coordinated team at the table and the relaxed atmosphere contribute significantly to this."

Reflecting on past tournaments, Velikonja cherishes moments involving the Slovenian national team, including their debut in the 2002 World Cup and their first victory in 2010. He also expressed a lingering regret about a knee injury that prevented him from participating as a player in the 2010 World Cup, despite being part of the successful qualification team.

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The World Cup is the biggest football event, as it connects people from all over the world, including those who do not regularly follow football. Therefore, the analysis must be professional enough for the biggest fans, while also being understandable to a wider audience. This is, of course, a difficult challenge, as a 'football movie' plays in your head during the broadcast, and at the same time, you are thinking about using the right words at the right moment. It has become easier over time, and the well-coordinated team at the table and the relaxed atmosphere contribute significantly to this.