Euro 2016 Preview - Slovakia

Team: Slovakia

Manager: Jan Kozak

Group: B

Other teams in group: England, Russia and Wales

THE SQUAD

Slovakia have reached the promised land of a major international tournament for the first time competing as an independent nation since 1993. National team coach Jan Kozak has been steering the reins since 2013 and is entering unknown territory as an international coach this summer.

Kozak, a former footballer and ex-Czechoslovakian international midfielder has selected a vastly experienced squad with some youth added to create extra spice in key areas around the pitch.

Between the sticks, Kozak will be relying upon the Slovan Bratislava goalkeeper Jan Mucha, who is fast approaching a half century of caps, to be a commanding presence for the back four which will be marshalled by Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel who will captain the side alongside the experienced Peter Pekarik (Hertha Berlin) and Jan Durica (Lokomotiv Moscow). Dynamo Moscow’s versatile defender Tomas Hubocan provides a number of options for Kozak.

Kozak has added some exciting young defenders including promising centre-back Norbert Gyomber (on-loan at Roma from Catania), 23 and Milan Skriniar (Sampdoria), 21.

In midfield, the Slovaks key player and star man Marek Hamsik (Napoli) will be relied upon to provide service to the front players as well as being a major threat in attack. Hamsik will be assisted by the pacey winger Vladimir Weiss (Al-Gharafa) and the hard-working and industrious Miroslav Stoch (Bursaspor). There is also a place for Milan’s dynamic midfielder Juraj Kucka despite a disappointing season in Serie A. Greek-based Robert Mak, 25 was an important player during qualification and could be one to watch out for during the tournament.

Coach Kozak has plenty of options in attack having picked the dangerous Willem II striker Adam Nemec as well as Viktoria Plzen frontman Michal Duris and veteran forward Stanislav Sestak (Ferencvaros).

Squad in full:

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

Defenders: Jan Durica (Lokomotiv Moscow), Norbert Gyomber (Roma), Tomas Hubocan (Dinamo Moscow), Peter Pekarik (Hertha Berlin), Kornel Salata (Slovan Bratislava), Milan Skriniar (Sampdoria), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Dusan Svento (Koln).

Midfielders: Ondrej Duda (Legia Warsaw), Jan Gregus (Jablonec), Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Patrik Hrosovsky (Viktora Plzen), Juraj Kucka (Milan), Robert Mak (PAOK), Viktor Pecovsky (Zilina), Miroslav Stoch (Bursaspor), Vladimir Weiss (Al-Gharafa).

Forwards: Michal Duris (Viktoria Plzen), Adam Nemec  (Willem II), Stanislav Sestak (Ferencvaros).

HOW THEY GOT THERE

Slovakia were drawn in a tricky group in qualification which included current European Champions, Spain as well as Ukraine and Belarus, but expectations were high that they could challenge for automatic qualification.

The Slovaks made the perfect start with a famous 1-0 win over Ukraine in Kiev thanks to an early goal from midfielder Robert Mak. It got even better for Slovakia in their first home match in Zilina with a superb 2-1 victory over Spain with Miroslav Stoch grabbing a late winner to make it two wins from two.

Slovakia maintained their 100% record with an impressive 3-1 away win over Belarus in Barysaw with late goals from Marek Hamsik and Stanislav Sestak. A difficult trip to Macedonia in their next game saw them win comfortably 2-0 with Juraj Kucka and Adam Nemec netting the all-important goals to make it four wins on the bounce.

Qualification was looking almost certain with Slovakia winning their next two home games emphatically beating Luxembourg 3-0 with all the goals coming in the first half and a hard fought 2-1 win over Macedonia with Marek Hamsik netting the crucial winner.

Slovakia suffered their first defeat of the qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Spain in Oviedo with goals from Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta. They failed to win in their next two home games drawing 0-0 against Ukraine and a surprise 1-0 defeat against Belarus meant that Slovakia had to win their final game away to Luxembourg for automatic qualification and a 4-2 win ensured that the Slovaks would be heading to their first European Championships in France this summer.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marek Hamsik

Arguably Slovakia’s most influential and charismatic player Hamsik will be the one player that Coach Jan Kozak will be looking to provide the inspiration and be the creative spark for the team. Kozak may also be expecting Hamsik to provide the goals to propel Slovakia in the last sixteen as Hamsik finished joint top scorer in the qualifying group with 5 goals alongside Spain’s Pablo Alcacer.

Martin Skrtel

The captain and most capped player in the squad will need to use all his experience to combat the threat from the likes of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, and Gareth Bale if Slovakia are to stand any chance of progression. Skrtel can be brilliant on his day with the passion and commitment he has often shown for his club but has been caught out for pace on a number of occasions and made the odd error which will need to be minimised.

Juraj Kucka

The Milan midfielder could play a pivotal role in the centre of midfield and is a real box to box type player. Kucka is also capable of chipping in with the odd goal and popped up on a few occasions in the qualifiers to net some vital goals for the Slovaks. Despite Milan’s poor showing in Serie A this season, Kucka has been impressive and received rave reviews among the media and pundits alike.

WHERE THEY ARE PLAYING AND STAYING

Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux: June 11 v Wales KO 17.00

Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille Metropole:  June 15 v Russia KO 14.00

Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Etienne: June 20 v England KO 20.00

Slovakia will be based at the Spa Les Celestins hotel in Vichy.

THREE INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE TEAM

Eight of the eleven Czechoslovakian players that started the 1976 European Championships final against West Germany and won 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, were from Slovakia.

Slovakia’s first three attempts to qualify for the European Championships all ended in them finishing in 3^rd place in their group with their poor form scuppering their chances each time. They did qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa topping their qualifying group and famously dumping Italy out in a 3-2 win.

Former Czechoslovakian player Jozef Capkovic, who was part of successful 1976 squad, won the 1969 European Cup Winners’ Cup with his brother, Jan also in the team, playing for Slovan Bratislava. However, Jozef and Jan never played alongside each other for the Czechoslovakian national team.

THEIR RECENT FORM

Republic of Ireland 2-2 Slovakia

Slovakia 3-1 Georgia

Germany 1-3 Slovakia

Slovakia 0-0 Northern Ireland

First game: The Slovaks play against Wales in their opening Group B match on 11^th June at 14.00 in Bordeaux.