Slovakia are just one of the 24 teams who qualified for the Euros 2024 in Germany. Here’s everything you need to know about the team, who crashed out in a Round of 16 versus England in a thrilling game of footie!

1. The Slovak Football Association formed in 1938

The Slovak Football Association formed just before the Second World War and was a member of FIFA. Later on, Czechoslovakia broke up and Slovakia became part of UEFA in 1993 and FIFA a year later.

2. This badge is their fifth design

Like the country’s flag, the Slovakia badge features a double-barred cross on a football panel pattern. Slovenský futbalový zväz (SFZ) simply means Slovak Football Association.

3. The team play most of their home games in two cities

The team play their home fixtures in the Tehelné pole in Bratislava and the Anton Malatinský Stadium, which is situated in the city of Trnava. Tehelné pole has a capacity of 22,500 and is home to ŠK Slovan Bratislava. The Anton Malatinský Stadium is home to FC Spartak Trnava and can host 18,200 fans. They’re the biggest stadiums in the country.

4. Their captain is Milan Škriniar

The Paris Saint-Germain defender was born in Žiar nad Hronom in 1995 and made his international debut in 2016. He became team captain in 2022 after Marek Hamšík announced his retirement.

5. They have a couple of nicknames

The Slovakian team are know as either Sokoli (the Falcons) or Repre (The Representatives or national team), which sounds very formal. Falcons sound more exciting, if you ask us.

6. The Czech Republic are their biggest rivals

Their neighbours are their biggest football rivals and of the 14 times the teams have faced each other, Slovakia have won three times, drew twice and lost nine times.

7. Marek Hamšík is their most-capped player and highest scorer

This midfielder began his senior career in 2002 and played for Slovan Bratislava, Brescia, Napoli, Dalian Professional, IFK Göteborg and Trabzonspor. He made 138 appearances for Slovakia before retiring in 2023. He scored 26 goals too, which is a national team record. He’s currently part of the Slovakian managing team.

8. They’re placed 45th in the FIFA World Rankings

In June 2024, Slovakia were ranked the 45th best men’s team in the world, according to FIFA. Their highest-ever ranking was 14th in August 2015. The world’s number 1 is Argentina, thanks to their 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

9. They’ve beaten San Marino 7-0… twice!

When it comes to beating the same team by 7 goals, Slovakia have done the double. They beat San Marino by seven goals in two home fixtures, the first being in 2007 and the second two years later. They’ve also beaten Liechtenstein 7-0 in a 2004 game.

10. They’ve been beaten 6-0… twice

They’ve been on the receiving end of some goal-hungry opponents, too. They’ve been beaten by Argentina 6-0 in Mendoza, Argentina on June 22, 1995. Then in 2017, Sweden handed them a 6 goal drubbing in the United Arab Emirates.

11. Their head coach is Francesco Calzona

The Italian-born coach played for Arezzo 4 times before acting in an assistant managerial role from 2008. He’s currently Napoli’s technical director and is was appointed as Slovakia’s manager in 2022.

12. They scored their fastest goal at the Euros 2024

Ivan Schranz scored the national side’s quickest goal in a group match against Belgium in June 2024. He hit the net just after 7 minutes and they won! They were unlucky when they faced Austria; RP Leipzig midfielder Christoph Baumgartner scored for Austria after just 6 seconds in a game that ended 2-0. They still qualified for the round of 16, but were beaten by England 2-1 in extra time.

13. They haven’t won a major trophy yet

As Czechoslovakia, they were runners-up in the 1934 and 1962 World Cup Finals, and went on to the quarter-finals in 1938 and 1990. As Slovakia, they’ve yet to secure any silverware.

14. Leo Sauer is the youngest Slovakian player to make an appearance at the Euros

When he was aged just 18 years and 188 days old, Feyenoord winger Leo Sauer came Slovakia’s youngest player to participate in the Euros when they took on Ukraine in June 2024.

15. Their worst Euros performance was against Spain

On June 23, 2020, Slovakia were walloped 5-0 by Spain in a group match at Cartuja Stadium, Seville. Not a game to remember, really. Apart from on this site. Sorry!