Slovakia

Confederation: UEFA
Head coach: Vladimir Weiss
Captain Marek Hamsik
Group: F

Some people may regard Slovakia as one of the whipping boys at this year's World Cup, however, they will be going to cause an upset. This is their first World Cup since gaining independance and the Slovakian natives are bursting with excitement to see their country compete on the world stage. Slovakia topped their qualifying group, finishing above supposed better teams, like Czech Republic and Poland. Their squad has a good blend of youth and experience, Chelsea's Miroslav Stoch and Manchester City's Vladimir Weiss are highly rated and will play on the wings for Slovakia. Both are tricky, fast and have plenty of flair to beat their man.

Liverpool's Martin Skrtel has been struggling with injuries all season and was a doubt for the tournament, but, it's thought he will be fit to participate. Newly promoted West Brom will have a Slovakian representaive in left back, Marek Cech. Captain and star man, Marek Hamsik is definitely one to watch this summer, he is very creative and is a real goal threat. Slovakia have an attack that will cause lots of problems for oppsition defences, Stanislav Sestak has bags of pace and has an impressive record of 11 goals in 33 caps for his country.

Robert Vittek will be a physical presence up front and will rough up defences. Young Schalke forward Erik Jendrisek is tipped for success in the game and could prove to be a key player for the Slovakians.


Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw, Poland), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui, Romania), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United, Scotland)

Defenders: Marek Cech (West Brom, England), Jan Durica (Hannover, Germany), Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg, Germany), Martin Petras (Cesena, Italy), Kornel Salata (Slovan Bratislava), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool, England), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz, Germany)

Midfielders: Marek Hamsik (Napoli, Italy), Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Politehnica Timisoara, Romania), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic), Marek Sapara (Ankaragucu, Turkey), Zdeno Strba (Xanthi, Greece), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea, England), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City)

Forwards: Filip Holosko (Besiktas, Turkey), Martin Jakubko (Saturn Moscow, Russia), Erik Jendrisek (Schalke, Germany), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum, Germany), Robert Vittek (Lille, France).


Ant Myers