With all four teams in Group E having now played their first match at EURO2024, few would have predicted the table to look the way it does. Romania top the group following their demolition of Ukraine, with Slovakia sitting in the second automatic qualification spot after edging past Belgium in Frankfurt.
Speaking post-match after narrowly defeating the Red Devils on the banks of the river Main, Francesco Calzona expressed that he is “naturally delighted” to have picked up three points against quality opposition.
Slovakia sit 45 places below third-placed Belgium in the latest FIFA Men’s Rankings, making Monday’s victory the biggest upset in European Championships history – according to those rankings, at least.
“We had to dig in in the second half, but that was to be expected against opposition of this class. My team did what they needed to, without showing any fear either and I’m delighted about that,” Calzona commented.
“It’s a hugely significant win for me on a personal level. I’m chuffed for the lads as well, they’re doing a great job every day and they deserve success such as this. This win is important for me because I can dedicate it to the Slovak people who really supported us from the first whistle to the last.”
The Repre were supported in their quest by a vocal travelling contingent, which was the focal point of much praise in the post-match press conference. Calzona, a 55-year-old Italian who made just four professional appearances throughout the entirety of his playing career, said: “Seeing men, women and children with a smile on their face – perhaps it was an unexpected win – it touches you, it’s a very rewarding experience.”
“I think the lesser teams, the smaller nations, have made progress and we can cause problems for more prestigious nations but there is still a big gap. We have to work very hard and it’s by no means easy, because a nation like Belgium produces so many footballers.”
Three points against one of the tougher teams in Group E should stand Slovakia in good stead for their remaining two matches, with qualification for the round-of-sixteen now a genuine possibility for the Repre as opposed to the fairytale dream it may have been just 12 hours ago.
Calzona isn’t getting ahead of himself though, suggesting that those final games will be “very tough because rather unexpectedly, the teams that weren’t favourites for these matches have actually won their opening games.”
“We need to make sure that we’re ready, because we don’t want to throw away this significant victory that we’ve recorded tonight.”