UEFA EURO 2016: Slovakia team preview

This is going to be the first ever European championships for Slovakia since they became recognised by UEFA as a country in their own right. Undoubtedly they will want to do their country proud by putting in some good performances. As we remember, they performed with credit in their first ever World Cup back in 2010, when finishing 2nd in the group stage thanks to an incredible 3-2 win against Italy (3:2). They certainly weren’t disgraced by their Round of 16 exit either, as they were edged out 2-1 against the eventual runners-up Netherlands (1:2).

Following that good showing, the Slovaks form declined dramatically and they failed to qualify for EURO 2012 (4th in the group). It was much the same when it came to the 2014 World Cup too. A third place finish in qualifying saw Slovakia fail to make it to Brazil. But now, having come through a qualifying group that contained Spain, Slovakia are back in the game.

Euro 2016 Squad (final 23 yet to be confirmed)

Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Slovan Bratislava), Matus Kozacik (Viktoria Plzen), Jan Novota (Rapid Wien)

Defenders: Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Jan Durica (Lokomotiv Moscow), Peter Pekarik (Hertha Berlin), Tomas Hubocan (Dynamo Moscow), Kornel Salata (Sloven Bratislava), Dusan Svento (FC Koln), Norbert Gyomber (AS Roma), Lukas Tesak (FC Kairat), Milan Skriniar (Sampdoria).

Midfielders: Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Stanislav Sestak (Ferencvaros), Miroslav Stoch (Bursaspor), Vladimir Weiss (Al-Gharafa), Juraj Kucka (AC Milan), Viktor Pecovsky (Zilina), Robert Mak, Erik Sabo (both PAOK), Patrik Hrosovsky (Viktoria Plzen), Ondrej Duda (Legia Warsaw), Jan Gregus (Baumit Jablonec), Matus Bero (Trencin).

Forwards: Michal Duris (Viktoria Plzen), Adam Nemec (Willem II), Adam Zrelak (Slovan Bratislava).

Key Player: Marek Hamsik

Marek Hamsik, the vice-captain and one of this teams’ true leaders, has long been the star of Slovakian football. With five goals in qualifying the 28 year old finished the campaign as both Slovakia’s and the groups’ top scorer (joint with Paco Alcacer of Spain). The midfielder will be coming into this tournament off the back of a decent season with Napoli, where his six goals and 11 assists played a big part in the teams’ 2nd place finish in Serie A. With 86 caps he is now the second most capped player in the Slovakian national teams’ history. He is also the country’s third highest scorer of all-time with 18 goals, just five short of the all-time leader Szilard Nemeth. No doubt this tournament will be a big chance for Hamsik to get even closer to this record.

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Qualifying

Slovakia finished 2nd in group C, and it was impressive campaign in truth, one which saw them defeat the current holders of this competition with a 2-1 win. Their only defeat also came against Spain, but with seven wins, two draws and a loss, the campaign overall was definitely a success.

Group Matches

Wales v Slovakia – 11 June, 2016

Russia v Slovakia – 15 June, 2016

Slovakia v England – 20 June, 2016

Click here for the full Euro 2016 match schedule. 

Verdict

In the build up to this competition Slovakia have put in some impressive performances, none more so than their recent 3-1 victory over world champions Germany. There looks to be no doubt that this side are approaching these finals in good heart. In the group they will face England, Russia and fellow first timers Wales. In truth, this is a hard group to call. One bet that does stand out where the Slovaks are concerned is Marek Hamsik to be the teams’ top scorer. The attacking midfielder is the talisman and, as is so often the case, is likely to be right in thick of anything that is achieved by this side.