Slovakia’s history at the European Championship is a curious one. As part of Czechoslovakia, they won the tournament in 1976 but, since their independence in 1993, they have failed to progress beyond the last 16.
It is fair to suggest, then, that they are among the underdogs at the tournament this summer. However, there is no doubting their ability to spring a few surprises.
At the helm is Francesco Calzona, the lesser-known Napoli coach who stepped in as interim boss for the rest of the season. He was unable to inspire a turnaround at the reigning Serie A champions on their way to a ninth-placed finish, though.
He spent the final few months juggling both his managerial roles for club and country but, as of now, his focus is fully on Slovakia’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Mail Sport takes you through Group E, including how each team qualified for the tournament, their history in the competition and who to look out for.
Slovakia will hope to progress beyond the last-16 at Euro 2024 for the first time in their history
Francesco Calzona (middle) has impressed at the helm since taking charge in 2022
Who is their manager?
There aren’t too many managers in world football that have balanced jobs at a club and with a country – but Calzona walked that tightrope for part of last season.
He became Napoli’s third manager of the campaign after stepping in to replace the sacked Walter Mazzarri. Rudi Garcia had also been axed back in November.
Notably, his role with Slovakia was his first ever managerial position. Before his appointment in 2022, he had acted as an assistant manager at a host of clubs.
During the 1990s, Calzona worked as an amateur coach and a coffee dealer. Now, he is set to lead one of football’s great countries into a major tournament.
Calzona stood in as Napoli’s interim manager but could only achieve a ninth-placed finish
Who is their star man?
Look no further than PSG defender Milan Skriniar. He is the captain of Slovakia and will be crucial to their hopes of squeezing through a competitive-looking Group E.
Skriniar, 29, joined PSG on a free transfer last summer but, despite winning a domestic treble at the Parc des Princes, has endured a difficult first campaign.
He may be carrying around a back problem that affected him during the second half of his final season at Inter Milan but is still expected to be a mainstay for his country.
Skriniar has made 66 appearances for Slovakia to date, scoring three goals.
Slovakia captain Milan Skriniar will be crucial this summer despite his mixed season at PSG
How did they qualify?
Slovakia sealed their spot at a third consecutive European Championship after a 4-2 victory against Iceland, a result that also secured them second place in Group J.
They ran Portugal close, ultimately losing 1-0 at home and 3-2 away in their only two qualifying defeats, but won seven of their 10 matches – an impressive record.
Their qualification was officially confirmed on Matchday 9.
Fixtures (UK time)
Slovakia will kick off their Euro 2024 campaign in Frankfurt with a tough test against Belgium, who head into the tournament as Group E favourites with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Jeremy Doku in their ranks.
But, escape that unscathed, and Slovakia will fancy their chances to qualify, facing off against Ukraine in Dusseldorf on June 21 before heading back to Frankfurt to play Romania five days later.
June 17 – Belgium v Slovakia (Frankfurt, 5pm)
June 21 – Slovakia v Ukraine (Dusseldorf, 2pm)
June 26 – Slovakia v Romania (Frankfurt, 5pm)
*All times are British Standard Time*
Belgium are Slovakia’s first opponents in Group E before games against Ukraine and Romania
Tournament history
Despite enjoying success as Czechoslovakia previously, Slovakia themselves have yet to set the European Championship alight with just one knockout appearance to their name, coming in 2016 when they reached the last 16.
Four years ago, the nation finished third in a group consisting of table-toppers Sweden, eventual semi-finalists Spain and Poland, who finished bottom.
As Czechoslovakia
1960 – Third place
1976 – Winners
1980 – Third place
As Slovakia
2016 – Last-16
2020 – Group stage
Odds to win the trophy
Slovakia head into the tournament as huge outsiders to win it all, ranked at 250/1 by Sky Bet at the time of writing.
It makes them underdogs over all of their Group E competitors Belgium (20/1), Ukraine (100/1) and Romania (200/1), who have each been given shorter odds.
Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is expected to start between the sticks for Slovakia
Provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Martin Dubravka (Newcastle), Marek Rodak (Fulham), Henrich Ravas (Widzew Lodz)
Defenders: Norbert Gyomber (Salernitana), Milan Skriniar (PSG), Peter Pekarik (Hertha Berlin), Denis Vavro (Copenhagen), David Hancko (Feyenoord), Lubomir Satka (Samsunspor), Michal Tomic (Slavia Prague), Vernon De Marco (Hatta), Matus Kmet (AS Trencin)
Midfielders: Ondrej Duda (Hellas Verona), Juraj Kucka (Slovan Bratislava), Patrik Hrovovksy (Genk), Stanislav Lobotka (Napoli), Laszlo Benes (Hamburg), Erik Jirka (Viktoria Plzen), Jakub Kadak (Luzern), Dominik Holly (AS Trencin)
Forwards: Robert Bozenik (Boavista), Robert Mak (Sydney FC), Ivan Schranz (Slavia Prague), Robert Polievka (Dukla Banska Bystrica), David Duris (MSK Zilina), David Strelec (Slovan Bratislava), Lukas Haraslin (Sparta Prague), Tomas Suslov (Hellas Verona), Lubomir Tupta (Slovan Liberec), Leo Sauer (Feyenoord)
