UEFA EURO reporter's view: Slovakia
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Article summary
Rastislav Hribik gives UEFA.com the lowdown on Ján Kozák's Slovakia squad, which features ten players who travelled to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
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Squad analysis
Slovakia's strength lies in a defence marshalled by captain Martin Škrtel. Marek Hamšík, the team's five-goal top scorer in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying, provides creativity from midfield. The worry is up front, where Adam Nemec and Michal Ďuriš only scored three times between them on the road to France.
One to watch
Plzeň midfielder Patrik Hrošovský is economical in possession, reads the game proficiently and delivers a good ball. The 24-year-old, who made his international debut in November 2014, was one of Slovakia's most impressive performers in their eye-catching 3-1 triumph over Germany on Sunday.
How they'll play
Ján Kozák prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Juraj Kucka and Viktor Pečovský offering energy in midfield and Hamšík the main chance-provider for Nemec or Ďuriš.
What you won't know
Experienced forward Filip Hološko, a scorer of eight goals in 65 appearances for Slovakia, rejected the chance to join the squad for their pre-finals training camp. "I respect his choice, but the door to the national team is now closed for him," said Kozák of the Sydney FC man.
How they'll do
Though this will be Slovakia's first UEFA European Championship finals, they do not want for experience. Ten members of their 23-man squad – Ján Mucha, Peter Pekarík, Martin Škrtel, Vladimír Weiss, Stanislav Šesták, Miroslav Stoch, Ján Ďurica, Hamšík, Kucka and Kornel Saláta – travelled to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where Slovakia lost to the Netherlands in the round of 16. A similar showing at Le Rendez-Vous would go down well. "If they do it [get out of their group], it will be good tournament for Slovakia," said the national side's record goalscorer Róbert Vittek, who misses out because of injury.
Your most memorable EURO moment
The penalty shoot-out in Naples between Czechoslovakia and Italy to decide third place at EURO 1980. Czechoslovakia won 9-8 on spot kicks after a 1-1 draw – it was very dramatic for me as a young boy at the time. I will never forget the moment when Jaroslav Netolička saved Fulvio Collovati's penalty and Jozef Barmoš stepped up to clinch it. Slovakia coach Kozák was among those who scored from the spot.
What you're most looking forward to this summer
Being there. I've seen almost every home qualifiier during the last eight years but never been to a big tournament such as this.
Follow Rastislav throughout the finals on @UEFAcomRastoH