Since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1992 resulted in the formation of both Czechia and Slovakia as independent nations, the Slovenskí sokoli have yet to mirror the footballing success of their predecessors.
This will, however, be Repre’s third EURO Finals appearance in a row, with their first as Slovakia coming at the 2016 tournament in France.
Despite a consistent run as of late for Slovakia, their on-the-pitch history as the aforementioned Czechoslovakia was, undeniably, far more successful.
Qualification was hard to come by, with just four teams featuring in the Finals before an expansion to eight in 1980. In their three EURO Finals showings, the former Central European state came third on two occasions and famously took home the trophy in 1976.
Hosted by another former European state in Communist Yugoslavia, the 1976 European Championships were the story of the underdog and the birthplace of a staple of modern football: the Panenka.
Embed from Getty ImagesThough Antonín Panenka was born in Prague, the capital of modern-day Czechia, he scored the winning penalty for Czechoslovakia with an audacious chip past the German ‘keeper in the final to not only seal major silverware but invent a new shot in the process.
With penalty shootouts a possibility in the latter stages of EURO2024, keep an eye out for players looking to become national team heroes with Panenkas from the spot!
This will be Slovakia’s first European Championships without midfield maestro Marek Hamšík, who retired from international football in 2022 – though was re-called upon as emergency cover for two matches the following year.
The Slovenskí sokoli’s record appearance holder (138) and goalscorer (26) will still be joining the team at their German base in Mainz though, as Hamšík has taken on the position of Team Manager and will be looking after the players behind the scenes.
One player under the wing of ‘Marekario‘ this summer will be Stanislav Lobotka, who is a midfielder for Italian giants Napoli – a role Hamšík knows all too well.
Lobotka’s 7.4 ball recoveries and 1.7 tackles per game during Slovakia’s EURO Qualification process are an indication of his importance in the centre of a midfield three.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe backline behind him boasts Slovakia’s best and most well-known player heading into EURO2024: Milan Škriniar.
The 29-year-old centre-back spent seven years as a vital cog in Inter Milan’s defence before making the move to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer last summer.
An ankle injury sustained in January saw Škriniar undergo surgery; this would keep him out of action for both club and country until the end of March, missing 17 games in the process.
Between the sticks will be a familiar face for on-looking Premier League supporters, with Newcastle’s Martin Dúbravka being Slovakia’s first-choice option in goal.
The 35-year-old has enjoyed plenty of minutes this campaign, with a long-term shoulder injury to the Magpie’s number one Nick Pope seeing him ruled out for 27 matches.
Repre‘s young player to watch at EURO2024 will be the exciting Leo Sauer, an 18-year-old winger who currently plays his football for Eredivisie runners-up Feyenoord.
Embed from Getty ImagesSauer managed an impressive two goals and three assists in 13 substitute appearances in the Dutch first division in 2023/24 and made history in 2023, becoming the youngest player ever to represent Slovakia when making his international debut at just 17 years old.
The youngster may not start for Francesco Calzona’s side this summer but will look to continue his fine form off the bench to try and see Slovakia out of the group stages.
Advancing to the knockout rounds is a realistic aim for the Slovenskí sokoli this summer, but with Belgium the clear favourites to top the group, the fight for second place will be a tense one. The teams looking to snatch that position from Repre‘s hands will be Ukraine and Romania.
Slovakia’s opening fixture sees them face Belgium in Frankfurt on 17th June – a tricky match to get their tournament underway – with the match set to be broadcast live on ITV1.
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