Slovakia 3-Italy 2: Slovakia Through, Italy Sent Packing

June 24th, 2010 | by: Paul |

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Slovakia have done it!

With today’s win over Italy, Slovakia finish second in Group F to Paraguay, and are through to the next round (likely agains the Netherlands).

Today, things finally came together for the Slovaks, while the Italians continued their poor play. Marek Hamsik (finally) showed up to play, providing some good defense and some nice deliveries. In defense, Skrtel was a rock in the back and barely rescued a goal right on the line. And then was Robert Vittek, who put in a tremendous performance to score two goals and did a great job at beating Italian defenders physically. Vladimir Weiss (the elder) seemed to have finally realized how to properly play his team, and it paid off.

Despite the positives, I am disappointed with three things:

1. The fact that Vladimir Weiss didn’t play- he had been the only offensive player in the previous two matches who was consistently a thread. Luckily, the rest of the team stepped up enough so that he wasn’t needed.
2. Jan Mucha- Mucha didn’t look like himself this game, and actually looked rather angry. Had the Italian player who he punched not acted, well….Italian, he would have been carded. He did what he had to do today, but never looked quite on top of his game. Again, the attitude didn’t help
3. The final few minutes of the game were nervy. Slovakia’s players were clearly tired and, I would say that is half the reason for their staying down for a long time toward the end. It was a bad time to become weary, as Italy finally woke up. Luckily for Slovakia, it was too late for Italy.

And that’s all for now! Congrats to Slovakia and good riddance to Italy (never liked them much)- even if the Slovaks fall in the next round, we can still consider this day a resounding success.

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DC DC

Amazing victory and such an exciting game! Glad Slovakia started playing up to its potential – like the team that took the qualifying group…

Don't feel a whole lot of hope for a game against NED, but I was praying they'd at least make it out of the group, get some experience, and come back in 4 years as an older and wiser team to be reckoned with…
stephanie87

WOW such an incredible and exciting match! Lots of drama! Congratulations to the Slovakians. You guys truely deserved this victory! What a way to enter your first world cup! I hope you go far…Greetings from a Spain fan!
HellenicKangaroo

An Epic Win. Congratulations to all.
Marek Brencic

Excellent. The team with majority of Slovaks won the European cup in 1976 (as Czecho-Slovakia in that time). The main club Slovan Bratislava won in 1969 a European Cup against Barcelona. Slovaks played in team which was twice second at the World Cup (1934, 1962) and twice third at European cup (1960, 1980). So we have past as well as the future. By the way the coach Vlado Weiss had played in 1990 in Italian World cup for Czechoslovakia.

I think NED is one of four strongest team at this World cup. As for Marek Hamsik – super star playing for Napoli was Italy match very special, playing against NED will be very special fo Miro Stoch because we won the title in NED ligue and played very well. The Slovaks made admirable economic reforms in 2002-2006 and the new formed government will do it again. The Slovak tiger is back, also in FOOTBALL. Even I would call team like Tatra chamois. (Listen the words of National anthem).

Thank you very much for your support and thanks for very positive, proffessionals articles. I think the small nations need it more than the others. (You could see the support for Italy and Slovakia at the stadium). Your analysis, perspective should be also read by Slovaks, press etc.

We need it. Coach was very angry with the critique of Slovak media.
Slovensko do toho. Go Slovakia…

Marek
Marek Brencic

Two additional points. the coach. Weiss is the youngest at the World Cup, but already very successful. I like also the attitude of NED coach (I do not remeber it correctly but sometning like no arrogance, team spirit etc) and excellent referee from UK – Web.

“The NED Team manager wasn’t too happy with Slovakia. “Well, any team that can survive Italy is a tough team. They’ve been performing well over the last years and this success doesn’t surprise me. They kept Hiddink’s Russia from qualifying.”

The former Feyenoord coach had a feeling Slovakia would progress. “I said it to Frank (de Boer) before the games today that I could see Italy lose. We need to be totally concentrated for this game. Any mistake will be punished.”

Robin van Persie agreed with these words. “Slovakia is an impressive team. They have quality and spirit. It will be a tough night for us.”
http://www.slovakcooking.com lubos

as a Slovak living in the USA, I was absolutely amazed by this victory. I turned the TV on some 30 minutes into the match, expecting a major blow out (especially after watching the Paraguay game, ouch!) and couldn't believe it was 1-0. Then 2-0. The end was a total nail biter, with Italy finally realizing it was time to attack. Still, great performance. I wish I could have been in Bratislava for the game and the after-party, it must have been nuts!
Ilker Okkaoglu

Excellent success from Slovakian team, congratulations!!!!!

I am a supporter of MKE Ankaragucu in Turkish league. We are proud of Robert Vittek and Marek Sapara. All of the Ankaragucu fans support Slovakia in the world cup.