As we countdown to the World Cup we preview each of the sides taking part. Next up it is Slovakia.
As we countdown to the start of the World Cup on June 11, Fox Soccer's Jamie Trecker will preview each of the 32 teams playing in South Africa and tell you everything you need to know about each nation represented at the world's greatest sporting event. Here he looks at Group F's Slovakia.
Part of the former Czechoslovakia, Slovakia became an independent state after the Velvet Revolution and the fall of the Soviet bloc. A landlocked Slavic state, Slovakia has had a somewhat tortured history, first as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and then under Communist rule, but is today one of the main trade corridors between east and west in Europe.
Slovakia is a major central European nation with a highly developed economy and a thriving arts scene. And the region has been settled since the Early Paleolithic era (that's about 270,000 BC) so it's not like Slovakia just popped up out of nowhere.
Slovakia attract people from Western Europe to its mountains for skiing, while its capital Bratislava offers much of the same cuisine and culture as the ever popular Prague, albeit with less recognition outside the country.
PAST WORLD CUP SUCCESS
None. This is their first appearance as an independent nation. That said, it would be wrong to overlook the fact that the Slovaks were an integral part of the great Czechoslovakian teams that finished second in the 1962 World Cup and won the European Championship in 1976.
REGIONAL SUCCESS
None. They have never qualified for a European Championship as an independent nation.
DOMESTIC LEAGUE
The Corgon Liga is small and poor. Only 12 teams compete in it; the best-known sides are Artmedia (MFK Petrzalka) and MSK Zilina.
MANAGER
Vladimir Weiss. A former World Cup player with Czechoslovakia (1990), Weiss made his name as a player with Inter Bratislava. As a coach, he's best known for his tenure at Artmedia, where he moved from player to coach at the end of his career. Family gatherings must be confusing. His father is also named Vladimir Weiss, as is his son, who currently plays for Manchester City. The youngest Weiss is also part of the national team pool.
KEY PLAYERS
Marek Hamsik (Napoli) is Slovakia's young captain and playmaker. Just 22-years-old, he's already scored eight times for the national team and 30 times in his three-year stint in Italy. Central defender Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) and aging striker Marek Mintal (Nuremberg) are also key members of the squad.
FIFA RANKING
33rd. Highest was 17th (1997); lowest was 150 (1993).
FIRST ROUND OPPONENTS
Italy, New Zealand and Paraguay.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Methodically. In qualifying they beat and drew with the Czechs, took care of the games they were supposed to win (San Marino, Northern Ireland & Poland) and lost only twice - to a Slovenia side that finished behind them in Group Three. This is a fairly rugged Eastern European side that can give you headaches.
PERCENTAGE CHANCE TO PROGRESS
50%. The Slovaks can and should get out of this group. The Italians won't underestimate them, but Slovakia should beat the Kiwis and Paraguay are not the strongest side either. This is not a great team, but should still have a decent chance of progression.
