Slovakia TEAMS

Playing in their first major tournament as an independent nation, Martin Skrtel and Slovakia have a decent chance of making it to the knockout round after a favorable draw in Group F

World-Debutants Slovakia need to keep up qualifying form

BRATISLAVA, May 20 (Reuters) - If World Cup debutants Slovakia can repeat their fine qualifying form in South Africa, they should have a fair chance of reaching the knockout round.

Playing with skill, determination and flair, Slovakia won a qualifying group featuring more established sides such as neighbours Czech Republic and Poland to book their place in the finals and spark raucous celebrations in Bratislava.

A talented generation of players, sharpened up in Europe's big leagues, have given Slovakia hopes of causing an upset or two in their first major tournament as an independent nation.

Midfielder Marek Hamsik, a consistent scorer at Serie A side Napoli, has pace and talent while winger Stanislav Sestak, who plays for Bochum in the Bundesliga, led the way in qualifying with six goals and is finally fulfilling his potential in the national side.

Solid Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel should be the third pillar of the side, who face champions Italy, Paraguay and New Zealand in Group F.

"It's not an easy group but it's not the hardest," Skrtel told Reuters in a recent interview. "It's a big thing that we qualified; now I think we can do something good."

Slovakia's only claim on a World Cup past is as part of the former Czechoslovakia, who reached the final in 1934 and again in 1962.

The Czechs have enjoyed more success since they parted company with the Slovaks on Jan. 1, 1993 and they reached the Euro 1996 final.

The Slovakians have captured the bragging rights now though, after getting a win and a draw against the Czech Republic in the qualifiers.

Having never been tested in a major tournament where consistency and fitness in a short timespan is the key, the Slovakians will be something of an unknown quantity in South Africa.

A good start against New Zealand in Rustenburg on June 15 will be essential for the Slovakians and a win would put wind in their sails ahead of a potentially decisive clash with the Paraguayans in Bloemfontein five days later.

World-Factbox on Slovakia

May 20 (Reuters) - Factbox on Slovakia who are competing in Group F at the World Cup in South Africa:

Colours: White shirts, white shorts, blue socks.

Nickname: none

Previous World Cup Appearances: 8 as Czechoslovakia: 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1970, 1982, 1990.

None as independent nation

Best World Cup performance: runners-up in 1962 as Czechoslovakia

Coach: Vladimir Weiss

Most capped player: Miroslav Karhan 96

Top scorer: Szilard Nemeth 22

Talking points:

Slovakia beat more heralded eastern European rivals Czech Republic and Poland to the top spot in their qualifying group to reach their first major tournament as an independent nation. A relatively kind draw has put them alongside world champions Italy, Paraguay and New Zealand in the finals but their progress to the last 16 depends heavily on their ability to reproduce their best qualifying form. Slovakia showed good attacking skills and solid defensive form on the road to South Africa, but emulating Czechoslovakia's 1962 run will be a far-fetched dream for the World Cup debutants.

Players to watch:

Vladimir Weiss junior, the coach's son, could be one of Slovakia's secret weapons while Marek Hamsik and Stanislav Sestak are expected to be the team's outstanding players. Sestak was the team's top scorer in qualifying with six goals. Martin Skrtel has recovered from a long-term injury and needs to find his best form quickly to make the defence strong.
Slovakia Squad - Recovering Liverpool Defender Martin Skrtel Picked
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss has announced his confirmed squad for the 2010 World Cup. Weiss cut six players from his provisional 29-man squad.

Nantes goalkeeper Lubos Kamenar, Leeds United defender Lubomir Michalik and Zenit St. Petersburg's Tomas Hubocan were among the players that only just missed out on the final squad.

Weiss did include Liverpool's Martin Skrtel, Besiktas forward Martin Holosko and Robert Vittek of Lille, despite the trio's recent injury concerns.

"There are still some question marks," Weiss said to reporters. "In case of an injury anything can happen."

Slovakia will have to deal with Italy, Paraguay and New Zealand if they are to survive the group stage. They start the tournament with a match against the Kiwis on June 15.
Goalkeepers    
Jan Mucha    Legia Warsaw (POL)
Dusan Kuciak    Vaslui (ROU)
Dusan Pernis    Dundee United (SCO)
Defenders    -
Marek Cech    West Bromwich Albion (ENG)
Jan Durica    Hannover 96 (GER)
Peter Pekarik    Wolfsburg (GER)
Martin Petras    Cesena (ITA)
Kornel Salata    Slovan Bratislava
Martin Skrtel    Liverpool (ENG)
Radoslav Zabavnik    Mainz (GER)
Midfielders    -
Marek Hamsik    Napoli (ITA)
Jan Kozak    Plitechnica
Juraj Kucka    Sparta Prague (CZE)
Marek Sapara    Ankaragucu (TUR)
Stanislav Sestak    Bochum (GER)
Zdeno Strba    Skoda Xanthi
Kamil Kopunek    Spartak Trnava
Miroslav Stoch    Chelsea (ENG)
Vladimir Weiss    Manchester City (ENG)
Forwards    -
Filip Holosko    Besiktas (TUR)
Martin Jakubko    Moskva (RUS)
Erik Jendrisek    Schalke (GER)
Robert Vittek    Lille (FRA)