After stunning Italy in the 2010 World Cup, Slovakia looks to shock the world yet again in their first European Championship as an independent nation.
As Euro 2016 starts today one team that has not gotten as much attention as it should have in previews is the Slovakia squad in group B. Few expect much of anything from this squad with many pundits assuring their readers/listeners Slovakia will bow out in the group stages, but they may not being giving enough credit to the landlocked country.
Slovakia’s first two wins in qualifying for Euro 2016 were among the best wins for any team. First, they went to Ukraine and beat them 1-0, then one month later they shocked Spain 2-1 in Slovakia. They continued on to win their first 6 qualifying matches and ended with a record of 7-1-2 and a second place finish in their group. They are also undefeated in friendlies leading up to the tournament, including a 3-1 defeat of Germany in Augsburg.
Ranked 24th in the FIFA world rankings, Slovakia’s impressive form is not the only reason people should not be overlooking them.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
The goalkeeper for Slovakia is Matus Kozacik, a 32-year-old who plays for the winner of Czech top division. He played 27 games this season, only allowed 18 goals, and had 14 shutouts. You could a lot worse than him in goal.
Slovakia is also coming into this tournament touting an experienced back line, anchored by their two center backs, Matrin Skrtel who plays for Liverpool and Jan Durica who plays for Lokomotiv Moscow. The other two players in the back line at those outside back positions are above age 28 and have experience in top European leagues, making it a pretty solid group overall. Their defensive midfielder, Juraj Kucka, is coming off a good debt season for A.C. Milan as well. If they can play with good communication in the back, their defense will prove to be formidable.
The star for Slovakia, Marek Hamsik, is coming off a great season at Napoli where he played a key role in his playmaker number 10 position. At 28, he is in the prime of his career and looking to expand his international success. His play during this tournament will be the key in Slovakia’s success since the offense is run through him. Though the teams in group B potentially have players to neutralize him, there is no guarantee they will be able to mark the Serie A star effectively . Also, since he will continue in his role as play making midfielder, there are no positioning adjustments he needs to make which works in his favor.
The one potentially weak spot for Slovakia is up top. They don’t have any established international goal scorers to play that all important striker position in their 4-2-3-1 formation, but that does not mean they do not have talent. Michal Duris is the favorite to start up top, coming off a quality season on the same team as Kozacik where he scored 16 goals in 22 caps.
More from Euro 2016
- Barcelona have just signed potential world-class defender
- France: Could they have won with Karim Benzema?
- Euro 2016: How Fernando Santos won Portugal their first major tournament
- Portugal’s Pepe confirms his availability in Euro final
- Can Griezmann win France Euro 2016?
They also have a 22-year-old in Adam Zrelak who has been linked with multiple Premier League teams and may surprise some people in the tournament. If Hamsik does his job a playmaker, one of these two might emerge as Slovakia’s go-to striker.
With no glaring holes in this Slovakian team and a true playmaker in Hamsik, they could be set up to turn some heads in the coming weeks. If you are like me and your country is not participating in the Euros, Slovakia might not be your worst choice in terms of dark horse teams to support. I’m sure their faithful fans are hoping for a repeat of the 2010 World Cup where they stunned Italy and made it to the quarterfinals.
If they can make it out of the group stage and into the knockout rounds, you never know what could happen. They play their first game on Saturday June 11 vs. Wales and I think that score line will prove this team is for real.
Add us as a preferred source on Google